The Impact of Distance Learning on Graduation Rates for Information Systems Students

INTRODUCTION The use of distance learning methods to deliver post-secondary education has grown in the last decade. The number of students desiring this format, the increase in distance learning course offerings, and the number of institutions offering distance learning formats to deliver their curricula raise questions concerning the effect of distance learning on graduation rates, such as whether these courses prepare students as well as traditional on-campus courses for graduation. Student retention and success in succeeding courses and persistence to graduation are significant measures for assessing programs. One of the most common measures of the relative success of a curriculum is the graduation rate of students following that course of study. While a number of measures for course efficacy may be used, the actual measure of the degree program is the number of students persisting to graduation. Using distance learning to deliver courses may impact that graduation rate and ultimately contribute to the success or failure of a curriculum.