The purpose of this quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine if and to what extent a difference exists between graduate students enrolled in a distance education master's degree within an Arizona university's nursing and healthcare department who have more career experience in this field versus those with no or less career experience in the field of healthcare for self-efficacy (SE), academic self-efficacy (ASE), and academic performance. This study was based on SE theory, specifically ASE and the four sources of SE in public institutions' distance education master's level nursing and health related fields. The study was conducted with a convenience sample of 117 graduate students. The researcher collected primary data via online survey. The results of this study demonstrated that mastery sources of SE show a significantly higher average score for more career experience (MCE) (n=78; M=7.45, SD=1.20) than those who have less career experience (n=39; M=6.27, SD=0.73) at z = [-2.6], p =< [0.001]. For physiological state, there is significantly lower average score for those in the MCE group (n=78; M=5.40; SD=1.27) than for those with less career experience (n=39; M=6.30; SD=1.41). For ASE, MCE (n=78; M=4.67; SD= 0.43) had a significantly higher average score than less career experience group (n=39; M=3.86; SD=0.86). The findings of this research are relevant to online education programs seeking to address the higher attrition rates often experienced in online graduate programs in nursing and healthcare. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]