Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Amy Cable

Date

2019

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Higher & Adult Education

Committee Chair

Donna Menke

Committee Member

Rene Cintron

Committee Member

Wendy Griswold

Committee Member

William Akey

Abstract

While there may be high demand for and an increased interest in pursuing distance education, the education obtained may not translate into jobs or careers, and the inability to secure a position is related to the hiring practices within organizations. Potential employers may hold a bias towards graduates of online degree programs. The purpose of this mixed-method, instrumental case study was to understand the hiring process within higher education and to understand the impact distance education and online degree education has on the hiring process within community colleges in Louisiana. The participants included administrators who served on a hiring committee for a non-faculty position. The participants in the study were surveyed and interviewed. A one- way ANOVA and thematic analysis were methods used to analyze the survey and interview data. The study revealed that there is no statistical difference in candidate choice and education type. Finding also revealed eight themes emerged through thematic analysis. Experience is the most important factor in the hiring process; Education is the foundation for obtaining employment; the applicant fits in with the college culture, possesses a specific skills set and is a good match for the position; personal experience impacts perception; online education is gaining positive traction; accreditation and reputation create a viable online degree programs; stigma still exists but is waning; and online education has minimal impact the hiring process. The study showed online degree programs have minimal impact on the hiring process in higher education.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest

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