ABSTRACT COLLEGE ENROLLMENT DECISION FOR NONTRADITIONAL FEMALE STUDENTS

Increasingly, more women are attending college and earning their degrees than men. This qualitative case study examined the reasons why adult females decide to enroll in college to earn their bachelor’s degree. With multiple roles and responsibilities creating time constraints that stack the odds against the completion of their degree, many women experience delays as well as starts and stops in their educational journey over many years. The findings of this qualitative research study aligned with a review of the literature. With a sense of hopefulness and determination, adult females are resilient and have a strong desire to achieve their goal of earning a college degree to advance their careers, achieve personal fulfillment, and serve as a role model for their families. As a result of their education, adult females are transformed through enhanced confidence as well as broader knowledge and perspective. These nontraditional female students look for nontraditional ways of learning that are designed to fi