The Role Of Perceived Academic Control, Preoccupation With Failure, And Academic Emotions On Major Satisfaction

Abstract

While rates of matriculation into higher education are increasing, the large number of students who do not obtain a college degree in a timely manner is of concern because attending college without completing a degree is financially burdensome for students and their families. The number of students who enrolled in degree-granting undergraduate institutions after high school increased from 13.2 to 18.1 million between the years of 2000 and 2010, and the number of students who will enroll in undergraduate programs is predicted to increase to 20.6 million by the year 2021 (Aud et al., 2012). While the upward trend of students enrolling in higher education can initially appear promising, this figure hides significant variation in the outcomes of those students. Nearly 85% of students who graduated from high school after 2004 had some form of experience in college (McPherson, Ferguson, & Fanton, 2016). However, among students who began their studies in the fall of 2009, the six-year graduation rate was only 53% (Shapiro et al., 2015). Low academic major satisfaction is also a known risk factor for college drop-out intentions in part because it can affect motivation and study behaviors, leading to poor performance (Suhre, Jansen, & Harskamp, 2007). It is common for students to leave higher education prior to degree completion because of financial hardship and various life circumstances, such as increasing family obligations or unexpected emergencies (Public Agenda, 2009). Even if low satisfaction does not lead students to leave college altogether, low satisfaction is associated with changing majors (Nauta, 2010), something that approximately 50% to 75% of students do over the course of their undergraduate careers (Gordon, Habley, & Grites, 2008; Porter & Umbach, 2006). Changing to a major that is a better fit with a student's interests, abilities, or career goals is sensible because it can lead to a more satisfactory career