Factors Affecting First Year Retention of CIT Students

Vicky L. Smith; Eugenia Fernandez

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Conference: 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Publication Date: June 15, 2014
Start Date: June 15, 2014
End Date: June 18, 2014
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: New Trends in Computing and Information Technology Education
Tagged Division: Computing & Information Technology
Page Count: 11
Page Numbers: 24.592.1 - 24.592.11
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--20483
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/20483
Download Count: 417

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Paper Authors

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Vicky L. Smith Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis

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Vicky L. Smith is a graduate student at Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis in the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology. She works as a graduate assistant for both the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology Computer Information Technology Living Lab program, and the Purdue Technical Assistance Program.

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Eugenia Fernandez Indiana University Purdue University, Indianapolis

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Eugenia Fernandez is an Associate Professor of Computer and Information Technology and Chair of the Department of Computer Information and Graphics Technology in the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis. She is a Fellow of the Mack Center at Indiana University for Inquiry on Teaching and Learning and an Editor of the Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Her research focuses on the scholarship of teaching and learning related to learning with technology.

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Abstract

ASEE 2014 Abstract Factors Affecting First Year Retention of CIT StudentsImproving student retention is a major concern for academic programs. To bolster this effort, itwould be helpful to identify factors that affect student retention. The Computer and InformationTechnology (CIT) program at ______________ is interested in what, if any, curriculum-related factors differ betweenthose information technology students who remain in the CIT program, and those who do not.More specifically, this study is designed to determine if there is any relationship between firstyear information technology student retention and factors such as admission status, introductorymath level, course load, required course completion, and academic performance. This studyattempts to determine if there is a connection between these factors and whether CIT studentsreturned for their third semester in the fall of 2013.The participants chosen for this study included all students who first enrolled in the CIT programin the fall semester 2012. Data was collected for each participant from existing student recordsfor fall semester 2012, spring semester 2013, and fall semester 2013. Several data points werecollected including student gender, whether the student was a new or transfer student, whetherthe student was admitted directly to CIT or admitted through University College, and whetherthe student was a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. Additional data points included thestudent’s most recent math course prior to entering the CIT program, number of credit hoursattempted and completed in the first and second semesters, first and second semester grade pointaverages (GPA), whether the student was dismissed in the first year, and whether the student wasenrolled in fall 2013. Information was also gathered to determine if the student had completed orobtained credit for a specific program prerequisite by the end of their first semester, and whichfirst year CIT courses were completed by the end of the first year.Students were divided into two groups based on whether they were enrolled in the CIT programin the fall 2013 semester. Comparing the data points between the two groups will help identifydescriptors that affect student retention. The results of this study will be helpful to the CITfaculty in creating possible intervention opportunities in the effort to increase retention. Theresults may also aid educators in other universities in their efforts to retain informationtechnology students.

Citation
Format

Smith, V. L., & Fernandez, E. (2014, June), Factors Affecting First Year Retention of CIT Students Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--20483

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                                      ASEE 2014 Abstract                   Factors Affecting First Year Retention of CIT StudentsImproving student retention is a major concern for academic programs. To bolster this effort, itwould be helpful to identify factors that affect student retention. The Computer and InformationTechnology (CIT) program at ______________  is interested in what, if any, curriculum-related factors differ betweenthose information technology students who remain in the CIT program, and those who do not.More specifically, this study is designed to determine if there is any relationship between firstyear information technology student retention and factors such as admission status, introductorymath level, course load, required course completion, and academic performance. This studyattempts to determine if there is a connection between these factors and whether CIT studentsreturned for their third semester in the fall of 2013.The participants chosen for this study included all students who first enrolled in the CIT programin the fall semester 2012. Data was collected for each participant from existing student recordsfor fall semester 2012, spring semester 2013, and fall semester 2013. Several data points werecollected including student gender, whether the student was a new or transfer student, whetherthe student was admitted directly to CIT or admitted through University College, and whetherthe student was a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. Additional data points included thestudent’s most recent math course prior to entering the CIT program, number of credit hoursattempted and completed in the first and second semesters, first and second semester grade pointaverages (GPA), whether the student was dismissed in the first year, and whether the student wasenrolled in fall 2013. Information was also gathered to determine if the student had completed orobtained credit for a specific program prerequisite by the end of their first semester, and whichfirst year CIT courses were completed by the end of the first year.Students were divided into two groups based on whether they were enrolled in the CIT programin the fall 2013 semester. Comparing the data points between the two groups will help identifydescriptors that affect student retention. The results of this study will be helpful to the CITfaculty in creating possible intervention opportunities in the effort to increase retention. Theresults may also aid educators in other universities in their efforts to retain informationtechnology students.
AU  - Vicky L. Smith
AU  - Eugenia Fernandez
CY  - Indianapolis, Indiana
DA  - 2014/06/15
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Factors Affecting First Year Retention of CIT Students
UR  - https://peer.asee.org/20483
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--20483
ER  -