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Pandemic or Profession? Factors Motivating Students to Pursue an Online Bachelor’s Degree

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

COED: Online and Remote Learning

Tagged Division

Computers in Education Division (COED)

Page Count

7

DOI

10.18260/1-2--43850

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/43850

Download Count

98

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Paper Authors

biography

Carolyn Kusbit Dunn East Carolina University

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Carolyn Kusbit Dunn is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Technology Systems at East Carolina University. Dr. Dunn teaches Technical Writing and Technical Presentations, and centers her research on the pedagogy of technical writing, crisis and risk communication, and the the ethics of crisis and risk communication.

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biography

David L. Batts East Carolina University

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David Batts, Ed.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Technology Systems at East Carolina University. His career experiences include industrial consulting and managing an outreach center. His research interests include Distance education qual

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Abstract

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology degree is a four-year degree offered at a southeastern public university that allows students to transfer credits from an Associate of Applied Science degree, which is typically not transferable to four-year institutions. This degree is also offered online, which has made it popular with working and adult students who may not have the availability to pursue an on-campus degree. In 2020, students enrolled in the BSIT program were surveyed about a variety of issues, including why they chose to pursue the degree. The survey indicates that even during the pandemic, career goals were the primary driver behind enrollment in the program. Students cited job advancement, potential salary increase, job security and the ability to more easily change careers as primary factors for pursuing the degree. This paper will examine the survey, respondents’ answers and offer insight on the factors influencing student decisions.

Dunn, C. K., & Batts, D. L. (2023, June), Pandemic or Profession? Factors Motivating Students to Pursue an Online Bachelor’s Degree Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--43850

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