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Abstract Title: Analyzing time-to-degree for transfer students at a Large Midwestern University
Abstract: Earning a bachelor's degree is expensive and time-consuming. Many undergraduate students pursue Advanced Placement (AP) courses in high school or transfer coursework from degree-granting institutions. However, the effect of those transfer courses on the time that it takes students to graduate (time-to-degree) is currently not well understood. We have investigated how incoming transfer courses impact students' time-to-degree by defining three independent groups of transfer students: (1) those entering with college level transfer courses, (2) those with only AP level transfer courses, and (3) those without any transfer credit. The time-to-degree has been shown to be statistically different for each of these groups, with students who enter with college level transfer courses graduating the earliest. We have explored differences in time-to-degree for various demographic information (e.g. gender, race/ethnicity). Cohen's d results suggest disproportionate negative effects on the time-to-degree for women and students of color, in particular. These results provide implications toward how universities advertise graduation in four years, as well as other impacts toward student financial aid such as four-year scholarships.
Abstract Type: Contributed Poster Presentation
Session Time: Poster Session II
Poster Number: 2.J3

Author/Organizer Information

Primary Contact: Alyssa C. Waterson
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 5179772676
Co-Author(s)
and Co-Presenter(s)
Rachel Henderson, Michigan State University, Marcos D. Caballero, Michigan State University, University of Oslo