Examining the Motivational and Persistence Factors of Military Spouses Pursuing Degrees in Higher Education
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges that military spouses experience while pursuing a degree in higher education; understand the factors that motivate and empower military spouses to persist in pursuing a degree in higher education; and explore strategies that college and university administrators could implement for the academic success of military spouses attending institutions of higher education. There were fifteen military spouses who participated in this study. The military spouses who participated in the study shared their experiences on the topic of motivating factors that empowered them to persist in earning a college degree.The theory of Cultural Capital was used as the theoretical framework to guide the study on the concept that the military environment is a culture within a culture, and that they bring this knowledge and experience into the classroom. Based on their responses, some of the following recurring themes emerged for those factors that empowered them to persist earning a college degree included: (a) desire to be a positive role model, (b) provide for their families , (c) career progression, and (d) factors toward degree completion, (e) early alerts and seamless course transfers, (f) welcoming college admissions, and (g) accessible academic resources to support career readiness were among the recurring themes.
Subject Area
Higher education|Education|Educational leadership
Recommended Citation
Gregg, Veronica M, "Examining the Motivational and Persistence Factors of Military Spouses Pursuing Degrees in Higher Education" (2019). ETD Collection for Fayetteville State University. AAI28943432.
https://digitalcommons.uncfsu.edu/dissertations/AAI28943432