| Retention of students is a problem faced by institutions of higher education around the world. Higher education institutions are required to report retention data to government agencies and they depend on tuition funding more than ever before. Prior research has identified many characteristics that when present, increase the likelihood of early departure. Most retention research is quantitative, examining large numbers of students to generate findings that are generalizable to the population at large. However, students depart for multiple reasons, not just one. The CPI program provides opportunities for students to gain real-world work experience in their field. The current study aims to determine if the CPI program, as a college experience, contributes to retention for students who might otherwise dropout. The study used qualitative analysis to gain understanding of student perspectives about why they chose to remain enrolled, as well as their perspectives about the CPI program. Results confirmed prior research for many of the reasons students remain enrolled, such as support from family, connection with a faculty mentor, and a sense of belonging on campus. Every student in this study had at least one characteristic that increased their likelihood of early departure, and 80% of participants had three or more. In terms retention, 80% self-reported a graduation date within six years of starting college and none had a GPA below a 2.0. These findings indicate students in the CPI program are successfully completing college, but further research should examine if CPI students are different from the student body in general.Keywords: Retention, early departure, persistence, stop-out, dropout, attrition, enrollment management, qualitative, active learning theory, experiential learning theory, theory of student involvement, theory of attrition, theory of student integration, characteristics that affect early departure, career path internship program, Astin, Attinasi, Braxton, Berger, Bonwell, Cabrera,
xi Hurtado, Carter, Eison, Ishtani, Melguizo, Milem, Pascarella, Pike, Kuh, Saldana, Singell, Terenzini, Tierney, Tinto. |