Thesis (M.A.)--Rowan University, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references.

Dissertation (Ph. D.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Counseling (Counselor Education & Supervision), 2009. / "August, 2009." Title from electronic dissertation title page (viewed 9/2/2009) Advisor, Cynthia A. Reynolds; Committee members, John E. Queener, Robert C. Schwartz, Fred H. Ziegler, Huey-Li Li; Department Chair, Karin Jordan; Dean of the College, ; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-83). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 75-83). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Washington State University, May 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 183-191).

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-66).

Thesis (M.S.)--Eastern Illinois University, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 40-51).

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Population estimations for the year 2000 indicate an increase in poor and minorities in the United States (Loden & Rosener, 1991). In view of this growth trend, Berger (1989) suggests a need for social workers with sensitivity to such populations. The presence of minority perspectives provides a valuable contribution to service delivery (Mullen et al., 1993). Efforts to enhance student persistence in graduate schools of social work will contribute to the pool of social workers available in the next century. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that contribute to African American student persistence in graduate schools of social work. This study applies aspects of Astin's, Tinto's and Green's theories of persistence. Astin's theory of involvement (1975) considers student investment of time in educational pursuits. Tinto's (1975) theory of departure includes background, social and academic aspects in persistence decisions. Green's (1997) theory focuses on the ability of the student to cope with racial issues (racial resilience) and the racial climate of the school (racial responsiveness). One hundred and thirty-five students from two predominantly white and two historically black universities participated in surveys administered to determine the effect of involvement, background, academic, social, resilience factors, and college type upon student persistence outcomes. Interviews held with administrative personnel at each institution provided contextual data. Correlations were used to examine the relationships among all of the variables in the study. T-Tests were conducted to compare outcomes due to university type. Multiple regressions were used to explore the relationships between significant independent variables and persistence. The findings of this study indicate that persistence outcomes of African American graduate social work students are influenced by: (a) academic performance, faculty-student relationships, (c) health, (d) the ability to deal with stress, and (e) ethnic pride (impressions of ethnic group). These findings suggest that social work programs that incorporate aggressive grade monitoring practices, provide diverse opportunities for student-faculty interaction, offer opportunities for health care, stress alternatives, and a culturally relevant curriculum, may positively influence African American student persistence.

Master of Science / Department of Marriage and Family Therapy / Joyce Baptist / Universities around the country are consistently focusing on increasing diversity among the student population, yet little is known about how minority graduate student populations fair academically and personally in predominately White institutions, specifically African American graduate students. This qualitative study examines the lived experiences of six African American graduate students. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide on their experiences in a predominately White graduate program. The findings support previous research that indicates that social conditions have not changed and minority students are still not well integrated into their programs. Findings also suggest that although Berry’s (1987) model of acculturation can be used to conceptualize the experience of African American undergraduate students, the experience of graduate students is more complex, and only partially supported by this model. Suggestions for how universities can better improve the environment for African American graduate students are included.

The purpose of this study was to conduct an oral history of the lived experiences of nine African American doctoral recipients from 1970 to 1980, an era on the heels of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Higher Education Act of 1965, and the beginning of Affirmative Action in admission policies of Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). This study comprised of six males and three females, who self-identified as African American and received their doctorate degree between 1970 and 1980. Eight of the nine participants’ college of origin was an HBCU, however all of the nine participants graduated with doctorates from PWIs. The data collection methods used for this qualitative study were biographical questionnaires and face-to-face interviews, which utilized semi-structured questions. The data analysis approach was coding categories that aided with sorting the data. Critical race theory (CRT) was used as the theoretical framework for this study. CRT was employed to analyze the lived experiences of these nine participants within American institutions such as K-12 schools, and colleges and universities. The findings revealed that race and racism played a role in the daily decision-making process of the participants, although it did not prevent these nine African Americans from receiving the doctorate degree. This study presented counterstories told by a group of scholars who are depicted as being on the margin of society. It is crucial that the voices of those on the margin of society are included in the history of higher education. These scholars’ stories will contribute to the gap in the literature regarding African American doctoral recipients from 1970 to 1980. This study offers a profound story of the lived experiences of nine African American doctoral recipients during a period of vast social changes in American society. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Educational Studies