Exploring retention of career changers in an online library and information science professional master’s program: An exploratory case study

This dissertation explored the retention of career change Library Science students in an online, professional master’s program. This study specifically examined retention through student motivations for career change, levels of self-regulation, and the deemed usefulness of Student Affairs services. This work explored Library Science career change, adult learner students as well as adding to the insufficient literature on retention of master’s students in an online program. Key informant interviews, content analysis, and student surveys were used in a qualitative, case study. It was found that participants most utilized personalized communications such as emails and appointments followed by on-demand content, such as websites and recorded workshops. Other important factors for adult learner career change student success were community connections and alumni involvement. It is the determination of the researcher that these findings are generalizable to career changer adult learners enrolled in other, synchronous, online, professional masters’ degree programs.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• Talbott, Katelyn Renae

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kalantzis, Mary
• Cope, William
• Pak, Yoon
• Montebello, Matthew

• student affairs, graduate student affairs, graduate student, masters, online master’s degree, graduate retention, master’s retention, self-regulation

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2021 Katelyn Renae Talbott

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/110425

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F110425