A Comparison of Cohort and Non-Cohort Graduate Student Perceptions of the Ethical Climate and its Importance in Retention

Abstract

This quantitative study compared 19 cohort and 27 non-cohort graduate students' perceptions of the ethical climate of an educational administration program at a midwestern metropolitan university using the Ethical Climate Index (ECI). In addition, the study investigated graduate student perceptions of the importance of the ethical climate in the retention of students within academic programs. The results of the study indicated that cohort students rated the ethical climate significantly more positive than non-cohort students on two of the three ECI subscales: student to faculty and student to student. Both cohort and non-cohort students perceived the ethical climate as an important factor in the retention of students within academic programs.