Graduate Program

College Student Affairs

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2009

Thesis Director

Diane Jackman

Thesis Committee Member

Richard Roberts

Thesis Committee Member

Lou Hencken

Abstract

This phenomenological, qualitative research study was designed to determine the most commonly selected academic major chosen by previously undecided students, the various factors that influenced the academic-major decision, and the similarities between the study participants. By comparing a Fall 2006 spreadsheet of undecided freshmen enrolled at Eastern Illinois University to a Fall 2008 spreadsheet of Eastern Illinois University students, the major choice of these previously undecided students was Communication Studies, determined to be the most highly selected academic major. Previously undecided students who had chosen Communication Studies were recruited for participation in this research. Data was collected through a demographic questionnaire and one-on-one audio-recorded interviews. Analysis of the data indicated that students were influenced to choose their academic major by family, professors, advisors, career advisors, careers, career details, and personal interest in the major. It was determined that many similarities existed between the participants including family influence in decisionmaking, favorite high school subject, type of extra curricular activity, creation of college friendships, Career Service influence in major choice, and monetary influence on academic major. In addition, all students were still unsure with regard to career decision.

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