Factors Affecting Online Women Students’ Persistence to Graduation

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain an in-depth understanding of factors that influence women learners’ persistence in undergraduate and graduate online degree-completion programs at a college in the northeastern United States.

Findings suggested that multiple responsibilities, insufficient interaction with faculty, technology, and coursework ranked highest as barriers to women’s persistence. Strong motivation to complete degrees, engagement in the learning community, and appreciation for the convenience of an online degree-completion option facilitated persistence.
Source: IRRODL