A Qualitative Analysis of Technical Nontraditional Student College Attrition

1 Harvey F. Hoffman, Technical Career Institutes, 320 West 31 Street, New York, NY 10001 [email protected] Abstract Using a qualitative research methodology, this study explored reasons nontraditional students selected and entered an engineering program of study leading to a baccalaureate degree and then withdrew before graduation. The study focused on career oriented adult learners involved in a formal degree-granting engineering program at an institution that has the express mission of serving the nontraditional technical undergraduatecommuting student. This study examined attrition from the students’ perspective and probed their individual stories about their reasons for dropping out, stopping out, reentering, or transferring out of a baccalaureate degree program. Each student interviewed interrupted his or her undergraduate education career multiple times and attended more than one undergraduate college in pursuit of their degree. Students did not necessarily inform the primary degree granting institution of their decision to take courses at another institution. The interaction of several factors influenced the attrition/retention decision.