Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program

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Taylor 125
541-552-8310

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federally funded TRiO program designed to prepare eligible undergraduate student participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. Participants are from disadvantaged backgrounds and have demonstrated strong academic potential. The goal is to increase the attainment of Ph.D. degrees by students from underrepesented segments of society. During the SOU McNair Program, student scholars work closely with the program director and a faculty mentor from their academic major. At the completion of the SOU McNair Program some student scholars successfully apply and directly enter into Ph.D. program the fall term following their undergraduate graduation; others enter into a master’s degree program and then after completion of the master’s degree will continue on into a Ph.D. program.

The McNair Program provides a range of services at no cost to the selected program participants, including specialized seminars and workshops designed to enhance acceptance into doctoral programs, assistance with locating and applying for doctoral program funding, preparatory training for taking the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and academic support to increase the student’s potential for post-baccalaureate achievement. Along with access to tutors and research-related supplies, scholars may also request financial support for related travel.

The McNair Program maintains a special library of publications. During Summer Session, selected scholars participate in an eight-week research internship program and receive a federal stipend of $2,800. Participating scholars have the opportunity to present the results of their research at a campus symposium and submit their research article for publication. McNair scholars enjoy a technology center where they can sharpen their computer skills and receive individualized training. The McNair Program maintains a special library of relevant topics for the student scholars.

General Program Requirements

1.

Students applying for the program must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at SOU.

2.

Students must be at the sophomore, junior, or senior level with a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

3.

Students must meet federal eligibility guidelines (See http://www.sou.edu/mcnair for full details). Students must be either potential first-generation college graduates who meet federal guidelines for low-income individuals OR be members of groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education (Hispanic/Chicano/Latino, Black/African American, American Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander).

4.

Students must be planning to pursue a graduate level education and to eventually complete a PhD.