Graduate Program

Technology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Semester of Degree Completion

2008

Thesis Director

R. Lance Hogan

Thesis Committee Member

Kimberlie Moock

Thesis Committee Member

Robert Augustine

Thesis Committee Member

Dan Nadler

Thesis Committee Member

Bonnie Irwin

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the anxiety levels of incoming graduate students at a Midwest regional state university and determine if an online graduate student orientation program assists in lowering those levels. The researcher used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y-1 (STAI) to measure state anxiety levels before and after the orientation program was administered. Each participating student completed a pre- and post-test in conjunction with the online orientation program. Once the information was received, the researcher analyzed the data using a paired t test to determine if the orientation program lowered anxiety levels for incoming graduate students. Based on the information collected, the online orientation training program lowered anxiety levels; however, it also contributed to the rise of anxiety levels in certain populations. The results yielded from this study paves the way for future longitudinal studies based on lowered anxiety levels and effects on academic performance and retention of graduate students.

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