About The McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federally funded initiative by the U.S. Department of Education that provides research opportunities and graduate school preparation to a select group of first generation/low-income and underrepresented ethnic minority college students. Currently, McNair programs exist at 200 colleges and universities nationwide.
USC staff and faculty work closely with participants as they complete their undergraduate requirements and encourage them to enroll in graduate programs. All academic disciplines are eligible, including the arts and humanities, social science, natural science, engineering, public health, and business. The program tracks students' progress all through their undergraduate years until the the successful completion of advanced degrees. The goal is to increase the attainment of graduate-level degrees, specifically Ph.D. degrees and other doctorates. The program aims to diversity the student bodies at the graduate-level and among the professoriate ranks through placement of McNair alumni in faculty positions.
According to stipulated regulations and program practices, USC McNair must provide the following services: opportunities for research or other scholarly activities; summer internships; workshops and seminars designed to prepare students for graduate-level study, specifically the doctorate; academic tutoring; academic counseling; and advising designed to assist students with securing graduate-level admission and financial assistance. Furthermore, the program may provide the following: counseling services designed to improve financial and economic literacy of students; mentoring programs involving faculty members and graduate students; and exposing students to cultural events and academic programs not usually available to disadvantaged populations.
At USC, each Scholar is recognized upon their selection for the program and at the time they graduate from the university. While in the program, every Scholar is awarded a $2,800 stipend to support a full-time research agenda throughout the summer while working in collaboration with a USC faculty mentor. Additionally, Scholars are eligible for program-sponsored summer housing through their McNair scholarship, with a value up to $2000. Throughout their participation in the program, exceptional Scholars can also receive between $500 to $1000 for research conference travel and university visitations. In short, USC McNair is a year-round rigorous program that provides meaningful academic experiences and important financial resources.