Community Building in Online Doctoral Programs: A Case Study

• In Event: Poster Session 8
  In Poster Session: Motivation, Emotion, and Perception in Technology-Based Learning Environments

Abstract

Nearly 1/4 of graduate students enroll in online degree programs, despite attrition rates between 25 and 50% (Burnsed, 2011). A sense of community can serve as a protective factor against attrition (Rovai, 2002). This exploratory case study examines how doctoral students create community during their first year of an online program. Preliminary findings indicate that a highly structured program with co-curricular experiences, instructors that were engaging and made skillful use of technology and student’s intentional efforts to connect with peers were associated with a sense of community.

Author

• Sharla Berry, University of Southern California