| Research has established a correlation between academic attrition and the society's economic well-being; consequently, institutions of higher education are faced with the challenge of developing strategies that allow students to succeed, while at the same time upholding academic standards and integrity. Accordingly, it is important to determine the character of the relationship between academic performance and non-traditional forms of intelligence, especially emotional intelligence, in college students.; This study explored the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement in undergraduate students in a community college in Southern California. Participants were surveyed for their demographic characteristics, Scholastic Assessment Test scores, Grade Point Averages, levels of emotional intelligence as measured by Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), and their perceptions on their educational experiences.; The results of statistical analyses indicate that GPAs are positively correlated with the Emotional Management task score, Social Management task score, Managing Emotions Branch score, and Emotional Reasoning Branch score on MSCEIT. Students' satisfaction with educational experience was positively correlated with Social Management task score. This study confirms a relationship between emotional intelligence and academic achievement, as measured by GPA.; This positive finding confirms existing studies, which suggest that emotional intelligence contributes to and enhances cognitive abilities in college students. Previous research has shown, and this study confirms, that there are both academic and non-academic factors in student success, and that emotional intelligence contributes to and enhances cognitive abilities in college students.; Confirming this connection suggests the need to incorporate emotional intelligence training into secondary education curricula, which, in turn, will empower educators in enhancing academic outcomes of their students. It may also be advisable to add assessments of emotional intelligence to the admissions decision process.; This research is important because a better understanding of student learning outcomes using proven quantitative tools provides empirical data for analysis. It will also assist educators in developing programs to improve learning. Furthermore, heightened levels of self-awareness in students will enable them to be successful in multiple spheres of life not limited to academia. |
