In the phenomenological study presented researchers explored the explicit lived experiences of Black males currently enrolled in a CACREP-accredited graduate counselor education program. The study's purpose was to provide a first-hand contextual understanding of the academic rigor, challenges, social relationships, and support experienced by Black…

The purpose of this qualitative, naturalistic study was to explore the ways in which hidden curriculum might influence doctoral student success. Two questions guided the study: (a) How do doctoral students experience the hidden curriculum? (b) What forms of hidden curricula can be identified in a PhD program? Data were collected from twelve…

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to examine online learner self-efficacy in terms of instructional strategies and course supports. Prior studies have focused primarily on factors within learners (e.g., motivation, satisfaction, achievement). The current study, with a foundation in adult learning theory, bridged the gap between…

Since the early 1980s, several Muslim communities have attempted to create indigenous Muslim American institutions of higher learning. Many of the first attempts failed to sustain their operations beyond a few years; and until recently, none could attain accreditation. Since early 2000, a second wave of Islamic postsecondary institutions has…

The purpose of this case study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of Spanish foreign language graduate teaching assistants in online language instruction through the lens of two theoretical models and their intersections, Teacher Efficacy and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The final purposive sample included two Spanish…

The representation of racial and ethnic minorities in the nursing workforce is disproportionately low in comparison with their representation in the general population in the United States. Despite diversity initiatives, the slight increase in enrollment of under-represented minority (URM) students in graduate schools of nursing at predominantly…

This applied dissertation was designed to understand and explore the experiences of graduate students at a public four-year higher education institution in the southeastern region of the United States. This study utilized an interview based phenomenological qualitative study design approach for data collection and analysis. Committees in the field…

The attrition of doctoral students in U.S. higher education, especially those who are underrepresented, is an understudied problem. This study examines how underrepresented minority doctoral students experience belonging at a predominantly White institution in the Midwest to identify factors that lead to attrition. The study used a mixed methods…

The proportion of Black psychologists is exceptionally small which may limit the accessibility of culturally competent mental health services for Black clients. The current project was an attempt to understand factors that help recruit, retain, and graduate Black doctoral students in psychology. This exploratory investigation probed of the lived…

Upon graduating college, many students seek employment within the degree area in which they obtained. Employers are seeking skills in individuals that encompass interpersonal, technical, analytical, personal, and professional abilities. As with many careers, the allied health field requires content specific knowledge and specialized skills, which…

The population of California continues to become increasingly diverse, and graduate programs in counselor preparation are dedicating more focus to curriculum and instruction that provide an inclusive space to explore diverse experiences and develop multicultural competence. One specific group contributing to the diversity of the national landscape…

In their studies on student motivation in the 1990s, Gorham & Christophel and Christophel & Gorham found that students perceived their own demotivation to be caused by instructor behaviors. While there are studies that explore the topic of student demotivation and other studies that illustrate the great influence instructors have on…

Graduate students encounter specific career difficulties in making career decisions, and turn to various sources of assistance, help-seeking resources and guidance (Gati, Gadasi & Shemesh, 2005). Previous research into graduate student career needs have not sought to better understand the specific differences between international and domestic…

The current study addresses the underrepresentation of female graduate engineering students. Specifically, its purpose was to gain insight on how enrollment, persistence, and success factors are experienced by female graduate engineering students at a Hispanic Serving Institution located on the U.S.-Mexico border. The topic of underrepresentation…

Increasingly, graduate teaching "assistants" (GTAs) are not "assisting" faculty instructors, but finding themselves in the role of lead instructor, particularly in physical activity courses. Despite this responsibility, GTAs receive little or no pedagogical training and often feel unprepared to teach. Conversely, college and…