Date of Award

2002

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a significant difference between administrators' and adult students' perceptions of quality indicators for off-campus programs at Eastern Illinois University. The focus of the research was based on the perceptions of two distinct groups: administrators at Eastern Illinois University and adult students enrolled in off-campus courses at Eastern Illinois University. The study also sought to provide a list of designated quality indicators to be used by Eastern Illinois University and other higherEducation institutions with similar characteristics to evaluate off-campus programs. There are twenty-six quality indicators that this research identified grouped in 5 categories: (1) Institution; (2) Administrative Function; (3) Program Strategies; (4) Student Services; (5) Instructional Strategies. A further outcome was to determine any significant difference in administrators and administrators with faculty status in their perceptions of quality indicators for off-campus programs. The study found 19.3 percent of quality indicators rated had a significant difference for the comparison of adult students and administrators. The highest significant difference was found in Recruitment. In all three rounds indicators showing a significant difference received a higher overall mean rating from administrators. This indicated that administrators were in higher agreement with them as quality indicators for off-campus programs compared to adult students. Significant difference was found in 22.8 percent for the comparison of administrator and administrator with faculty status. The highest significant difference was found in Mission of Institution. In all three rounds indicators showing a significant difference received a higher overall mean rating from administrators with faculty status. This indicated that administrators with faculty status were in higher agreement with them as quality indicators for off-campus programs compared to administrators. A total of 57 quality indicators were rated during this study with 26 designated as quality indicators for off campus programs.

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