Effects of Online Courseload on Degree Completion, Transfer, and Dropout

• In Event: 64.077 - Online Learning: From the Student's Perspective

Abstract

Based on previous research community college students taking online courses may suffer worse academic outcomes compare to classroom-only students. In this paper, we hypothesize that online course load may influence outcomes for community colleges students placing them at risk for lower levels of degree attainment. We conducted a statewide study using data from the 30 community colleges (n=45,557) of the State University of New York, to examine online course-load effects on degree completion, transfer, and dropout. We conclude that when controlling for covariates known to impact degree completion, community college students who complete online courses nearly double their chances (odds ratio=1.72) of earning a degree or transferring to a 4-year college compared to students who only take classroom coursework.

Authors

• Peter Shea, University at Albany - SUNY

• Temi Bidjerano