Factors affecting success of African-American male graduate students: a grounded theory approach
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess factors affecting the success of African-American male graduate students utilizing a grounded theory approach. Of major importance was determining which factors were most important in their perseverance during graduate school. Those factors were: (1) personal characteristic profile information; (2) graduate assistantship experiences; (3) classroom and teacher expectations of student achievement and experiences of current graduate program; (4) financial aid resources for undergraduate and graduate education; (5) undergraduate academic preparation and performance; (6) the impact of parent support, religion, mentors, and others during their undergraduate and graduate education; (7) campus environment and institutional climate during graduate education; and (8) advantages, disadvantages, and problems in attending a predominantly white institution. An intensive semi-structured open-ended interview was conducted with each subject to identify perceptions and attitudes of African-American male graduate students attending Iowa State University. Of the 22 students interviewed, 13 were doctoral students and 9 were master's degree students. Results from the study provided insight into the attitudes, opinions, and perceptions of African-American male graduate students at a predominantly white institution. The previously identified factors were deemed important in the success of African-American male students.