Pathway patterns mobility study of first time vs. transfer students in computer science and information technology programs at a public university
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
ISSN: 2050-7003
Article publication date: 29 April 2021
Issue publication date: 14 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
Postsecondary institutions use metrics such as student retention and college completion rates to measure student success. Multiple factors affect the success of first time in college (FTIC) and transfer students. Transfer student success rates are significantly low, with most transfer students nationwide failing to complete their degrees in four-year institutions. The purpose of this study is to better understand the degree progression patterns of both student types in two undergraduate science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs: computer science (CS) and information technology (IT). Recommendations concerning academic advising are discussed to improve transfer student success.
Design/methodology/approach
This study describes how transfer student success can be improved by thoroughly analyzing their degree progression patterns. This study uses institutional data from a public university in the United States. Specifically, this study utilizes the data of FTIC and transfer students enrolled in CS and IT programs at the targeted university to understand their degree progression patterns and analyzes the program curricula using network science curricular analytics method to determine what courses in the curriculum require more assistance to retain students.
Findings
The major findings of this study are: (1) students’ degree mobility patterns within an institution differ significantly between transfer and FTIC students; (2) some similarities exist between the CS and IT programs in terms of transfer students' degree mobility patterns; (3) transfer students' performance in basic and intermediate level core courses contribute to differences in transfer students' mobility patterns.
Originality/value
This study introduces the concept of “mobility patterns” and examines student degree mobility patterns of both FTIC and transfer students in a large public university to improve the advising process for transfer students regarding courses and identifying secondary majors.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work is partly funded by the Board of Governors - Team Grant: An Urban University Coalition Response to Florida’s Computer and Information Technology Workforce Needs.
Citation
Basavaraj, P., Garibay, I. and Ozmen Garibay, O. (2022), "Pathway patterns mobility study of first time vs. transfer students in computer science and information technology programs at a public university", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 14 No. 2, pp. 784-807. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-12-2020-0429
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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