Date of Graduation

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education in Higher Education (EdD)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Counseling, Leadership, and Research Methods

Advisor/Mentor

Miller, Michael T.

Committee Member

McCray, Suzanne

Second Committee Member

Murry, John W. Jr.

Keywords

Academic advising; Competitive entry; Nursing; Parallel planning

Abstract

This study sought to understand the student perceptions of parallel academic degree planning for the competitive entry undergraduate Nursing program at a case study university. Parallel degree planning is a relatively new term of alternative curricular planning. The qualitative study includes nine students and their experiences in planning for their intended major while simultaneously planning courses that meet another major or degree program, and understanding how parallel degree planning aided their retention and student satisfaction as well as their academic advisor interaction. The study was completed at a research university where the Nursing program has a very lower acceptance rate, due to clinical partnerships in the region. Only about a third of the undergraduate students who begin college planning to pursue Nursing are admitted to the program, even if they fully meet the minimum admission criteria. Participants in the study were at least in their second year of college and had already applied to the Nursing program at least once. Nine themes emerged from the interview data and overall results from the study indicated that students who participate in parallel degree planning are less anxious about admission decisions, but they generally felt that parallel plans were only a ‘back up’ for them personally. Data also described the relationship between the academic advisors and the students, noting the influential nature of the professional advisor.

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