An Ex Post Facto Study of Dual Credit Participation as an Indicator of Immediate College Enrollment at an Urban Mississippi Community College

The purpose of this study is to compare the immediate college enrollment of students who participated in the community college's dual credit program in high school with students who did not participate in the dual credit program. Data from a local community college's dual credit program is analyzed to understand the effects of participation, particularly in Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, on students' decisions regarding college enrollment and major selection. Through statistical analysis, significant associations are found between dual credit participation, CTE pathways, and higher immediate enrollment rates at the local community college. Additionally, a strong correlation is observed between specific high school pathways, particularly CTE programs, and students' choice of college majors. The findings underscore the importance of aligning educational pathways with students' career aspirations and degree programs, suggesting enhanced collaboration between high schools and colleges to offer tailored educational plans and support services. Despite limitations, including potential biases and sample representativeness, the results provide valuable insights for optimizing enrollment policies and retention strategies. Further research is recommended to explore the long-term effects and the impact of different types of concurrent enrollment programs on student outcomes. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the significance of dual credit programs in facilitating immediate college enrollment and guiding students toward meaningful academic and career pathways. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]