An examination of self-identified reasons for student departure at a small liberal education institution in Canada

Richards, Sonia (2009) An examination of self-identified reasons for student departure at a small liberal education institution in Canada. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

This study explored the self-reported reasons why students, who were registered as first year students at a small, primarily undergraduate liberal arts institution, left after only one year of study. Data collection involved a mixed methods approach and the results were analyzed using a phenomenological approach, examining variables; social and academic integration, residential living, family commitments and finances. This study's findings confirmed there are a variety of reasons that students leave an institution after one year of study. The major findings revealed the reasons that the students self-reported for leaving were the inability to meet new friends, lack of career planning, unavailable program options and the cost to attend the institution. Because purposive sampling was used in the study, results cannot be generalized to the wider population but are consistent with the literature on student persistence. Based on the findings, the study did identify several recommendations that would be helpful in assisting with an institution's student persistence plans.

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