Marez, Marcella D.
Abstract:
The value attached to the basic communication course (BCC) completed by most undergraduate students should not be overlooked. In many instances, the skills fostered in the course could have a lasting impact and influence on an undergraduate student’s success academically and professionally. “In the course, students are provided instruction in communication skills that can benefit them for a lifetime” (Morreale, Worley, & Hugenberg, 2010, p. 406). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether enrollment in a BCC in the first year of college at a Midwest regional comprehensive public university impacted freshman year cumulative GPA, academic major at the time of graduation, number of years to graduate, or cumulative GPA at the time of graduation. A quantitative non-experimental research design was used to analyze archived data for four research question hypotheses. The results from the study indicated students who successfully completed a BCC during the freshman year had a higher cumulative GPA at the end of the first year of college than students who did not complete a BCC during the freshman year. Those who successfully completed a BCC during the freshman year majored more frequently in business, education, science, technology, or mathematics at the time of graduation than students who did not complete a BCC during the freshman year. More BCC freshman year completers graduated in four years compared to non-freshman year BCC completers. Finally, cumulative GPA at the time of graduation was higher for BCC freshman year completers than those who did not complete a BCC during the freshman year. The findings of the current study may be of interest to academic departments, basic course directors, and parents, as they encourage and advise freshmen about enrollment in general education courses.