Undergraduates in the professional fields: Exploring the impact of institutional characteristics on time spent preparing for class

Abstract

Using data from over 137,000 full time seniors enrolled at 543 four year colleges and universities in 2011, this study explores the relationship between the amount of time students spent preparing for class each week and both institutional context and field of study, with a particular focus on five professional fields (business, education, engineering, nursing, and allied health) relative to arts & sciences. Controlling for student and institutional characteristics, results indicate both systematic differences in study time related to field of study and a positive relationship between selectivity, Carnegie type, and study time. Moderating effects were found between discipline and institutional selectivity, Carnegie type, and control. Findings promise to inform national and disciplinary discussions about academic rigor, student effort, and learning outcomes.