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Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a 2-year program focused on empowering students to change higher education.
Our Mission
McNair is on a mission to transform academia. A federally-funded TRiO program, we empower visionary First Generation, Low-income (FGLI), and Underrepresented students to thrive in graduate school and beyond through transformative mentorship and holistic academic support.
During the two-year program, Scholars balance rigorous academics with collective wellbeing , empowering them to skillfully respond to urgent problems and make their mark on higher education.
Other benefits of being a Scholar include graduate school application support, a Summer research stipend, and the opportunity to earn up to 2.75 credits.
Programmatic Arc
| Year | Activities | Associated Coursework |
|---|---|---|
| Sophomore Year – 2 nd semester |
Applications are due December 9, 2023. Selection of Scholars occurs before the end of the First Mod. |
Research Methods (Spring, Mod 2, .25 unit) |
| 1 st Summer | Summer Institute: Residential research experience with faculty mentor on campus. | 1.0 unit |
| Junior Year |
Selection of second summer research experience program, typically off campus. Start selection of graduate programs. Present at, or attend, national undergraduate and professional conferences |
0 |
| 2 nd Summer |
Research experience off-campus through an undergraduate research program. Refine selection of graduate programs. |
1.0 unit |
| Senior Year |
Present at one national conference like NCUR or disciplinary conference Complete Graduate School Applications Graduation |
Graduate Preparation Seminar (Fall, .5 unit) |
Total credits allowed under the McNair Scholars Program: 2.75 units.
Summer Institute
The Beloit College McNair Summer Research Institute is a six-week residential experience. Each McNair Scholar is expected to carry out a research project under the guidance of a Faculty Mentor. This experience is research-focused and should be the primary activity during the six week period. The experience requires full-time participation.
Courses Offered
Research Methods
Research methods is a module course taught in the Spring second module of second year to students who have been accepted into the program. The class prepares the scholars in research methodology for research conducted during the McNair Summer Research Institute.
McNair Graduate School Preparatory Seminar
The graduate school preparatory seminar is a full semester course taught in the first semester of senior year to McNair Scholars beginning the process of applying to graduate programs. The course instructs and guides the scholars in the graduate school application process, and also teaches them how to do grant writing.