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If It Walks Like a Duck: Self-Identification, Definition, and Experiences of Nontraditional Doctoral Students in the Communication Discipline

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Title: If It Walks Like a Duck: Self-Identification, Definition, and Experiences of Nontraditional Doctoral Students in the Communication Discipline
Language: English
Authors: Laura C. Bruns (ORCID 0009-0004-6918-0633), Sara V. A. Kaufman (ORCID 0009-0003-6955-9136), Ana Lisa Padron Eberline (ORCID 0000-0002-6436-5282), Meredith L. Pruden (ORCID 0000-0001-8872-4289), Erin L. Perry (ORCID 0000-0002-4503-7945), Elise P. Taylor (ORCID 0000-0003-0741-4284), Deborah J. Danuser (ORCID 0000-0003-3663-0154)
Source: Journal of Communication Pedagogy. 2025 9:18-42.
Availability: Central States Communication Association. University of Montevallo, Department of Communication, 75 College Drive, Station 6625, Montevallo, AL 35115. e-mail: csca.ed@gmail.com; Web site: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jcp/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 25
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Doctoral Students, Nontraditional Students, Communications, Self Concept, Student Characteristics, Barriers, Sense of Belonging
ISSN: 2640-4524
2578-2568
Abstract: This study aimed to understand experiences of nontraditional doctoral students pursuing their PhD in Communication. Although the term "nontraditional student" exists in the literature (Cox & Ebbers, 2010; Stone & O'Shea, 2019), there is little consensus about demographics of nontraditional doctoral students (NTDS), nor their experiences navigating these programs. Using qualitative, thematic analysis of survey responses (n = 52), this critical mixed-method study found three themes--age, experience, and education gap--as defining identity factors, barriers, and benefits. Participants described themselves as nontraditional due to different lived experiences from graduate peers, resulting in feelings of "Otherness" within their programs. These findings suggest that although some NTDS navigate graduate work with added benefits of social or financial support and life experience, they may also face a cumulative disadvantage within academic departments, networks, publishing, and other doctoral labor.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1480800
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Laura+C%2E+Bruns%22">Laura C. Bruns</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6918-0633">0009-0004-6918-0633</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sara+V%2E+A%2E+Kaufman%22">Sara V. A. Kaufman</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6955-9136">0009-0003-6955-9136</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ana+Lisa+Padron+Eberline%22">Ana Lisa Padron Eberline</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6436-5282">0000-0002-6436-5282</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meredith+L%2E+Pruden%22">Meredith L. Pruden</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8872-4289">0000-0001-8872-4289</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Erin+L%2E+Perry%22">Erin L. Perry</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4503-7945">0000-0002-4503-7945</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Elise+P%2E+Taylor%22">Elise P. Taylor</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0741-4284">0000-0003-0741-4284</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Deborah+J%2E+Danuser%22">Deborah J. Danuser</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3663-0154">0000-0003-3663-0154</externalLink>)
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  Data: Central States Communication Association. University of Montevallo, Department of Communication, 75 College Drive, Station 6625, Montevallo, AL 35115. e-mail: csca.ed@gmail.com; Web site: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jcp/
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  Data: This study aimed to understand experiences of nontraditional doctoral students pursuing their PhD in Communication. Although the term "nontraditional student" exists in the literature (Cox & Ebbers, 2010; Stone & O'Shea, 2019), there is little consensus about demographics of nontraditional doctoral students (NTDS), nor their experiences navigating these programs. Using qualitative, thematic analysis of survey responses (n = 52), this critical mixed-method study found three themes--age, experience, and education gap--as defining identity factors, barriers, and benefits. Participants described themselves as nontraditional due to different lived experiences from graduate peers, resulting in feelings of "Otherness" within their programs. These findings suggest that although some NTDS navigate graduate work with added benefits of social or financial support and life experience, they may also face a cumulative disadvantage within academic departments, networks, publishing, and other doctoral labor.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 25
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      – SubjectFull: Doctoral Students
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      – SubjectFull: Communications
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