Date of Award

2002

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Dr. Gary D. Chamberlain

Abstract

This study was designed in two parts: (1) to discover the graduation rates of transfer student athletes at National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II institutions in Arkansas from 1994-1997 and (2) to determine which cognitive and noncognitive variables might predict academic achievement for first semester transfer student athletes. The graduation rates were determined and analyzed by ethnicity, gender, and sports teams. Cognitive and noncognitive data were collected from a sample of 57 fall 2001 transfer student athletes. The information collected from the study group was analyzed using multiple regression and logistic regression techniques. There were five major findings of this study. First, transfer athletes at the NCAA Division II institutions graduate at a rate significantly below NCAA Division I transfer and freshmen athletes and NCAA Division II freshmen athletes. Second, graduation rates differ significantly by gender and ethnicity. These differences were consistent with the literature reviewed. Third, the number of transfer student athletes is increasing; over the period of the study, the enrollment of transfer student athletes increased by 37%. Fourth, the noncognitive variable 'coping with bureaucracy, discrimination, and prejudice' showed a statistically significant relationship with grade point average. This finding documents the value of orientation programs for transfer student athletes. Fifth, transfer student athletes' first semester grade point averages and hours passed declined significantly when compared to their transfer grade point averages and transfer hours passed. This 'transfer shock' experienced by transfer student athletes is consistent with the literature reviewed for the study.

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