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Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado

Faculty Sponsor

Julie Hanks

Abstract

An increase in the number of post-baccalaureate students returning to college for additional education provides a need to better understand this growing population. Studies on program outcomes for traditional and post-baccalaureate students have focused primarily in the medical and nursing fields. These studies lack detailed insight into the student’s experiences and perceptions. Within the Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences fields there is also limited research on traditional and post-baccalaureate student outcomes and experiences. This mixed methods study examined the outcomes and explored the experiences and perceptions of traditional and post-baccalaureate students in the Audiology and Speech-Language Sciences program at the University of Northern Colorado. During the first stage, student outcomes were examined from a previously administered exit survey to determine differences between traditional and post-baccalaureate students. During stage two, participants from each student group were interviewed to develop a greater understanding of each student’s experiences and perceptions. Research suggests that traditional and post-baccalaureate students have different qualities such as learning preferences. Findings indicated common trends in the perception of competition among students and overall experiences that each student encounters as a traditional or post-baccalaureate student. The results may be significant in determining unique advising and building awareness of unique group needs. This may lead to increased understanding of each academic path and the advising that is given to each student.

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