Date of Award

2026

Type

Dissertation

Major

Doctor of Education

Degree Type

Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Leadership (Higher Education Administration)

Department

Teacher Education

First Advisor

Dr. Lauren Neal

Second Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Lovelace

Third Advisor

Dr. Erinn Bentley

Abstract

The U.S. Army Tuition Assistance (TA) program represents a substantial investment in the education and professional development of enlisted soldiers, yet limited empirical research has examined retention outcomes among soldiers who complete degrees using TA. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine the relationship between selected demographic and educational characteristics and time-to-separation among enlisted U.S. Army soldiers who completed a degree using TA between fiscal years 2023 and 2025. Guided by Human Capital Theory, the study used archival administrative data from the Army Continuing Education Division (ACED) and the Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army (IPPS-A). A stratified proportionate random sample of 1,000 soldiers in pay grades E-5 and E-6 was selected. Following data screening and exclusion procedures, the final analytic sample consisted of 937 soldiers. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results indicated that soldiers remained in service an average of 38.33 months following degree completion. The regression model was statistically significant, F(7, 929) = 13.16, p < .001, explaining 9.0% of the variance in time-to-separation. Rank, Army component, and the highest degree level attained significantly predicted time-to-separation, whereas age and GT score did not. The findings suggest that post-degree retention varies across military and educational characteristics and may inform Army education policy and higher education practice for military-connected students.

Download

Share

COinS