University Division Academic and Career 1010: The impact of a freshman seminar course on student persistence

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the University Division Academic and Career 1010 course as indicated by persistence and academic success in college. Persistence in college is defined as continuous enrollment up to and including graduation. Success is defined as maintaining a Grade Point Average allowing continued attendance and graduation. The University Division Academic and Career 1010 course is referred to as UDIV. Subjects include 497 first-year students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, 1986 (243) and 1987 (254). The students are divided into three groups, UDIV-Required (required course participants), UDIV-Optional (participants not required), and No Course-Random (students selected at random from non-participants). Selected data (ACT comprehensive scores, Grade Point Average, gender, and enrollment status) are compiled from UNO registrar information. The ex post facto design includes utilizing systematic analysis to arrive at tentative causal inferences. Independent variables include the three student groups, years of enrollment, gender and ACT scores. Dependent variables include degree of persistence and success Preliminary analysis, a t-test, shows that significant differences exist between the 1986 and 1987 students for ACT, therefore, the groups are treated separately. The small cell size and violation of homogeneity of regression results in use of ACT as a blocking variable. ANOVA analysis reveals main effects, two-way, and three-way interactions. Chi-square, a nonparametric test, analyzes continuous enrollment and graduation rates, categorical variables. Results of the research do not support the hypothesis that the UDIV Academic and Career 1010 course has a significant effect on persistence or success as shown through GPA means or enrollment status for UNO students. The small number of students chosen for the study limits the reliability of the study. Variables not studied may affect student persistence rates more than the UDIV Academic and Career 1010 course