Adult Learner Choice in Noncredit Continuing Education: A Mixed-Method Exploration of Choice Factors
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Authors
Norris, Noah Kiel
Issue Date
2025-12-03
Type
Dissertation
Language
en_US
Keywords
Continuing education , Consumer Choice , Higher Education Choice , Noncredit Continuing Education , Dissertations, Academic
Alternative Title
Abstract
As America’s educational landscape rapidly changes due to evolving workforce demands and technological advancement, noncredit continuing education (NCCE) has gained prominence in supporting workforce needs. However, despite increasing provider competition, little research exists on how adult learners choose NCCE programs. This convergent mixed methods study identifies factors influencing adult learners’ choices in NCCE program selection. It uses binary logistic regression analysis of survey data from 110 Georgia adult learners and thematic analysis of interviews with seven NCCE practitioners. The study examines the relationships between demographic characteristics and choice while exploring the perception of practitioners. Findings reveal that convenience-related factors (42% of all selection criteria) dominate adult learnerchoice. Demographic characteristics show limited predictive power, and employer-mandated training emerges as the strongest predictor of choice factors, with gaps existing between practitioner perceptions and actual adult learner behaviors. This research contributes to higher education choice literature by demonstrating the need for NCCE-specific frameworks and provides practitioners with evidence-based insights for program development in this understudied component of lifetime education.
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This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.