This qualitative study examined the experiences of graduate students enrolled in online programs that have varying levels of outsourced student services. Specifically, the study examined students' experiences in graduate programs that fully outsourced services, those that outsourced some student services, and those that did not outsource services. Institutions are outsourcing a wide spectrum of student support services; however, little research has been conducted on this topic. As the online population continues to grow exponentially, institutions need to ensure that quality and accountability is enforced when outsourcing student support services within graduate programs. The frameworks used in this study include Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which examines how students engage with people and systems within their environment at various levels. This study also used the lens of Crookston's developmental advising theory, which provided insight on the quality of outsourced academic advising. Data were collected through a survey and a semi-structured interviews with 15 participants. Findings revealed that participants in online graduate programs that did not fully outsource were more satisfied than participants in programs that fully outsourced services. A lack of communication and efficient online resources were concerns for many participants. However, the data also revealed that the connection to peers was a highlight for many participants. Recommendations for future practice include a certification process for third-party companies to provide more accountability and training for outsourced staff. An online student portal to house all resources in one place would serve as an efficient resource for online students, based on participants' feedback. Furthermore, assessing students' experiences will be beneficial for evaluating all student support services. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]