Moving From Access to Success: A Multi-Institutional Case Study of Online Student Retention

• In Event: 79.050 - MTCC Roundtable Session 36
  In Roundtable Session: 79.050-9 - Success in Online Higher Education Environments

Abstract

The purpose of this multi-institutional case study is to better understand the strategies and practices associated with how universities retain online students. We conducted one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with 27 administrators from four public research universities. The data revealed four emergent themes to be expanded upon in this proposal: (1) determine institutional “fit”, (2) provide individual student support from entry to exit, (3) prioritize quality course design, and (4) tailor online communities to match your student population.

Authors

• Justin C. Ortagus, University of Florida

• Melvin J. Tanner, University of Florida