Predicting degree completion: Examining the interaction between orientation course participation and ethnic background

Abstract

This article reports an examination of the predictive nature of orientation course participation and degree completion. It also inspects the potential interactions between ethnic background, orientation course participation, and degree completion. Although interaction terms for African American and Hispanic student participation in orientation courses were not significantly predictive of degree completion, a significant main effect was found for orientation course participation and degree completion. Graduation for students who participated in the orientation course was 72 times higher than for nonparticipants. This main effect—as well as the interaction term for White students participating in the orientation course—and degree completion accounted for 30% of the variance in the criterion of variable degree completion. © 2007 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.