Online Student Retention Strategies

Despite the tremendous growth of online education programs student retention for online courses remains problematic.

Online student retention strategies. By understanding these unique challenges higher education staff can develop innovative and efficient programs to boost retention rates and help students stay in school. 10 strategies for boosting student retention. The highest online part time retention rate was at liberty university where 49 percent of students earned a degree. Student services professionals are constantly searching for effective techniques to enhance student retention.

The attrition rate from online universities is often cited as 20 to 50 diaz 2002. To tackle the problem universities must understand the leading reasons students drop. A study in australia found that 44 of online students finish their studies compared to 77 of on campus students. The key to a successful online retention program is the realization that student retention is everybody s job.

From an academic advising standpoint supporting online learners is best achieved by establishing solid meaningful student advisor relationships. The main objective of a well established online retention program is to maintain a student s enrollment and to keep him highly satisfied with the level of education he is acquiring in an online environment. Retention strategies are always learned and never mastered. The causes of poor retention.