Lived Experience of Nontraditional Students Enrolled in Child Development Associate Courses at a Large Suburban Community College in Texas
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Department
Higher Edu and Learning Technology
Date of Award
Fall 2025
Abstract
This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of nontraditional students enrolled in Child Development Associate (CDA) courses at a large suburban community college in Texas. These students were full-time childcare workers who balanced family responsibilities while pursuing coursework toward their CDA credentials. The purpose of this study was to explore what supported their persistence and how they developed self-efficacy while managing numerous challenges. Bandura’s (1997) Social Cognitive Theory provided the framework, with attention to mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and physiological and emotional states, along with goal setting and personal agency.Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with ten participants and a focus group with six participants. Analysis revealed five themes: balancing responsibilities through support and agency, strengthening self-efficacy through relationships and role models, persistence driven by purpose and professional goals, coping with stress through flexibility and support, and financial support as a pathway to persistence. Findings showed that both internal beliefs and external supports shaped persistence. The participants were motivated by their children, encouraged by faculty and directors, and strengthened by scholarships such as TEACH and Curantis. Applying coursework directly in their classroom built confidence, while long-term goals provided meaning to their efforts. These findings extend the literature on nontraditional students by highlighting CDA students as a critical entry point into the early childhood workforce pipeline. Implications include the need for community colleges to expand family-sensitive support, provide flexible learning options, and sustain financial and relational support that fosters persistence.
Advisor
David Tan
Subject Categories
Education
Recommended Citation
Butler, Chen-An Chang, "Lived Experience of Nontraditional Students Enrolled in Child Development Associate Courses at a Large Suburban Community College in Texas" (2025). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 1315.
https://lair.etamu.edu/etd/1315
