Date of Award
1-1-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Education
First Advisor
George McClellan
Second Advisor
Whitney Webb
Third Advisor
Kerry Brian Melear
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Degree attainment is a shared goal of college students, higher education institutions, and the larger society, as graduates have lower rates of unemployment, higher rates of civic engagement, pay higher taxes, and are able to better prepare future generations for academic success as compared to their counterparts (Museus et al., 2008). Additionally, institutions with higher retention rates have the chance to increase their reputation and may be presented as more prestigious to potential students and their families (Hagedorn, 2005).
Despite the clear incentives for all parties, every year many students, including those at the University of Mississippi, choose to leave higher education before completing degrees. Students may choose to leave an institution for a variety of reasons, some of which include academic difficulties, forces from outside communities, and the inability to become incorporated into the campus community (Tinto, 1993). Studies by Astin (1999) and Kuh (2008) illustrate the importance of involvement (Kuh uses the term engagement) in retention and persistence.
Students can become involved in a variety of ways on college campuses, one of which includes participation in sport club organizations (Rosch & Collins, 2017). This dissertation explores the relationship, if any, between participation in sport club organizations and academic success of undergraduate students at the University of Mississippi. Academic success is defined by degree attainment and credit attainment. Credit attainment is defined within the semester of participation, and the immediate semester succeeding participation. Degree attainment is based on six-year graduation rates. The relationship between variables can be explored through quantitative research methods (Swanson et al., 2005). Correlation, which does not equate to causation, would suggest the existence of a relationship between variables (Hinkle et al., 2003). This dissertation utilizes descriptive and correlation statistics to determine if a relationship between participation in sport clubs and the variables of sport participation, degree attainment, and credit attainment exist.
Recommended Citation
Sokol, Gabrielle, "The Relationship Between Sport Club Participation and Academic Success in Undergraduate Students at The University of Mississippi" (2024). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2877.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/2877