Thesis
ABSTRACT Title of Thesis: FACTORS AFFECTING UNIVERSITY GPA OF MARYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS WHO PERSIST TO GRADUATION Sarah Elizabeth Hall, Master of Arts, 2005 Thesis Directed By: Dr. Linda Clement, Affiliate Associate Professor Department of Counseling and Personnel Services
This study examined Maryland community college transfer students who persist to graduation. Personal characteristics, academic qualifications, and major were examined to determine if any of these factors were predictors of university GPA. These characteristics were: age, race, gender, community college, transfer GPA, first semester GPA, accepted transfer credits, completion of freshmen fundamental studies, Associates degree completion, and college of major. The sample consisted of 530 subjects. The data analysis revealed significant results. Age, race, gender, transfer GPA, first semester GPA, and college of major were all significant predictors of variance in cumulative GPA for community college transfer students. Women, White subjects, and College of Education graduates were significantly more likely to earn higher cumulative GPAs than other subjects within each of these variables. University GPA was significantly correlated with age, transfer GPA, and first semester GPA. These findings have practical implications for admissions and student support services at four-year institutions.
FACTORS AFFECTING UNIVERSITY GPA OF MARYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS WHO PERSIST TO GRADUATION
By Sarah Elizabeth Hall
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts 2005
Advisory Committee: Dr. Linda Clement, Affiliate Associate Professor, Chair Dr. Vivian Boyd, Associate Professor Dr. Susan Komives, Associate Professor
© Copyright by Sarah Elizabeth Hall 2005
Acknowledgements
The completion of this work would not have been possible
This study examined Maryland community college transfer students who persist to graduation. Personal characteristics, academic qualifications, and major were examined to determine if any of these factors were predictors of university GPA. These characteristics were: age, race, gender, community college, transfer GPA, first semester GPA, accepted transfer credits, completion of freshmen fundamental studies, Associates degree completion, and college of major. The sample consisted of 530 subjects. The data analysis revealed significant results. Age, race, gender, transfer GPA, first semester GPA, and college of major were all significant predictors of variance in cumulative GPA for community college transfer students. Women, White subjects, and College of Education graduates were significantly more likely to earn higher cumulative GPAs than other subjects within each of these variables. University GPA was significantly correlated with age, transfer GPA, and first semester GPA. These findings have practical implications for admissions and student support services at four-year institutions.
FACTORS AFFECTING UNIVERSITY GPA OF MARYLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRANSFER STUDENTS WHO PERSIST TO GRADUATION
By Sarah Elizabeth Hall
Thesis submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate School of the University of Maryland, College Park, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts 2005
Advisory Committee: Dr. Linda Clement, Affiliate Associate Professor, Chair Dr. Vivian Boyd, Associate Professor Dr. Susan Komives, Associate Professor
© Copyright by Sarah Elizabeth Hall 2005
Acknowledgements
The completion of this work would not have been possible
References: Chapter 1: Introduction Introduction Community college students constitute an increasingly significant percentage of students in higher education (Lanaan, 2001)