Purpose and Method of Study: This study focused on the relationship between the cost of undergraduate education (COUE) and graduation rates in four-year institutions in Oklahoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the cost of undergraduate education (COUE) and graduation rates at four-year higher education…

This dissertation is composed of three studies linking general education astronomy to student performance, course-taking, graduation, and identity. The first study examined demographic and academic predictors of astronomy performance among a cohort of N=1,909 community college students enrolled in astronomy courses in a large suburban community…

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the educational approaches utilized to professionalize undergraduate/post-secondary digital media students into their preferred industries. A secondary aim of this research was to highlight the process of professional identity exploration undertaken by digital media students as they progress…

The focus of this qualitative descriptive study was on what undergraduate faculty at 4-year Christian universities or colleges in California have experienced and what recommendations they have pertaining to the use of scripted syllabi in teaching online courses. Ted Aoki's theory on curriculum implementation as a situational praxis was used as the…

Experiential learning requirements, such as internships and practicum, are common requirements in undergraduate sports management programs. These courses typically require the sports management student to complete a set number of hours while being guided by both their internship site supervisor and their faculty advisor. Although these internships…

The purpose of this dissertation work is to investigate sustainability incorporations in undergraduate mechanical engineering curricula. Engineering decisions have deep impacts on people and the planet. Therefore, it is important for all engineers to learn engineering that integrates these important factors. This work starts with an evaluation of…

The focus on the transmission of mission in Catholic colleges and universities has heightened over the past decade as there is a recognition of the impact of diminishing numbers of priests and vowed clergy. Nationally, the concern over sponsorship in universities that are sponsored by religious communities has led to a dialogue about the most…

Attention is being given to improving the design of undergraduate gateway courses (i.e., entry-level, introductory) in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly those facing challenges of large enrollment and high failure rates. Effective course design has been noted as a key strategy for improving the…

The purpose of this quantitative comparative between-groups study was to assess if and to what extent differences exist in achievement emotions and adaptability between first-generation and second-generation undergraduate college students who transitioned to online courses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic at a higher educational institution in…

Background: Previous research has indicated that it is difficult to maintain student motivation in gateway courses when students from multiple majors are taking the same course. Providing students with a choice in assignment is important because it creates a feeling that the students are in charge of their education, that they can tailor their…

By 2023, gamification was entering just about every sector and industry including education, fitness, crowd sourcing, social media, and corporate environments. Gamification often offers promises of motivation, engagement, fun, and even higher performance. At the time of the study, there were few studies that examined gamification in accounting…

Researching the process of development during field experience before an elementary education teacher is hired is necessary to better understand their teaching self-efficacy. The purpose of this qualitative, single case study design was to explore how field experience, as part of a university undergraduate teaching program, developed novice…

The United States is seeing a widespread teacher shortage. Enrollments in TPPs have declined over the past decades, attrition rates are high, and the COVID-19 pandemic just exacerbated the issue. National and state governments, colleges and universities, and school districts have been looking to strengthen the teacher pipeline by establishing…

The United States is seeing a widespread teacher shortage. Enrollments in TPPs have declined over the past decades, attrition rates are high, and the COVID-19 pandemic just exacerbated the issue. National and state governments, colleges and universities, and school districts have been looking to strengthen the teacher pipeline by establishing…

Nontraditional students make up a majority of post-secondary online learners in the United States. The development of online learning modalities continues to grow and transform the educational landscape, providing expansive options and vastly improving student access to completing an undergraduate program. Unfortunately, with this growth, online…