The influence of dual credit on Latinx students’ college aspirations and choices

ABSTRACT

This study employed social capital and chain migration theory to understand the development of college aspirations and the college choice process of Latinx dual credit earners enrolled in engineering programs. Through semi-structured, one-on-one interviews, participants described the key individuals who inspired their college aspirations and shared the reasons they selected a four-year, public university. The findings indicate that dual credit was not a substantial influence in their college-going decision making. Instead, family, peers, and financial aid resources informed the participants’ aspirations and choices. Recommendations for practice and future research are offered.

KEYWORDS:

• Latinx students
• dual credit
• college choice
• college aspirations
• qualitative research

Notes

¹ According to the United States Census Bureau (2018), the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” refer to “a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race” (para. 1). We will use the term Hispanic when referring to government terms. We use Latinx to be gender inclusive of anyone of Hispanic descent.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Greater Texas Foundation.