Factors affecting voluntary termination from MSW distance learning programs by students/candidates prior to completion of degree requirements

Study Goals: To determine factors that influence msw students, in a distance learning program conducted by a state-supported university, to discontinue the program prior to completing degree requirements. To investigate whether discontinuation reasons are idiosyncratic or if there are patterns that might be addressed by program administrators to enhance completion rates. Hypothesis: A set, or sets, of common factors for discontinuation will be found among distance learning students voluntarily leaving a msw program prior to completing degree requirements. completion vs. non-completion of a distance msw program. Because the program being studied is cohort-based, non-completion is operationally defined as ceasing attendance for one academic quarter without a formal plan to complete substitute credits, or ceasing attendance for 2 or more consecutive academic quarters regardless of plan.