Announcing the Final Examination of Christopher Belser for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Date of defense: Monday, March 27, 2017
Time and room: 10:00 a.m. in ED 306
Dissertation Title: Predicting Undergraduate Retention in STEM Majors Based on Demographics, Math Ability, and Career Development Factors
The goal of this research was to determine the degree to which demographic variables, math ability, and career development factors can predict retention in undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors for the first two years of college for participants in a STEM recruitment and retention program.
In prior studies, researchers have used variables such as gender, ethnicity, and SAT scores to predict whether or not students are likely to be retained in STEM majors. However, these studies have largely ignored career development factors, particularly participation in career development programming. Participants within this study were members of a STEM recruitment and retention program. The binary logistic regression indicated that students who enter college with a declared STEM major are more likely to be retained in STEM majors than undecided students who participate in a career planning class. Results for other variables were mixed across the decided and undecided students.
The study has implications for a variety of counseling and higher education professionals in university and K-12 settings. Specifically, the results of this study are relevant to the development of STEM programming in universities, to college counseling and advisement, and to career development in secondary school settings.
Committee in charge:
Dr. M. Ann Shillingford (Chair)
Dr. Stacy M. Van Horn
Dr. Dalena Dillman Taylor
Dr. E. Lea Witta
Dr. Andrew P. Daire
Outline of Studies
Major: Ph.D., Counselor Education
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