The purpose of this quantitative causal comparative study is to understand if there are significant differences in levels of intrinsic goal orientation, task value and effort regulation between online undergraduate and graduate students as well as students studying in education and business programs at a university based in Phoenix, Arizona. It is not known if and to what extent there is a difference in the levels of intrinsic goal orientation, task value, and effort regulation between students studying at graduate and undergraduate degree levels as well as between business and education students in an online learning environment. A total of 183 students completed demographic questions and the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire centered around goal orientation, task value and effort regulation. The first research question focused on the relationship between undergraduate and graduate students studying in online degree programs around goal orientation, task value and effort regulation. For there to be a statistical significance p values would have to be less than 0.05 and the p values were goal orientation (0.669), task value (0.521), and effort regulation (0.102). This analysis found no statistical differences between the two groups. The second research question focused on the relationship between students studying online in either education and business degrees around goal orientation, task value and effort regulation. The p values for this analysis were goal orientation (0.042), task value (0.703) and effort regulation (0.571). Goal orientation was the only construct that was statistically different. Based on these findings business students rated themselves higher in goal orientation, which would indicate that business students value goal setting. [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.]