Program Information

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the program, an applicant must be either:

1. A student of any race/ethnicity, who is both a first-generation college student (i.e. a student who has no parents or guardians who have received a bachelor's degree) and who is considered low-income according to federal guidelines. (Guidelines may be consulted here.)
   or
2. A student from a group underrepresented in graduate education [i.e., African-American/Black (non-Hispanic), Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander]

In addition, an applicant must be:

• Enrolled at Cleveland State University as an undergraduate student
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.8
• Able to demonstrate academic potential for graduate study
• Interested in pursuing a Ph.D.

Faculty Support

Each McNair scholar chooses a Discipline Faculty Mentor and a Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor.

Discipline Faculty Mentor

• Helps define a research topic
• Teaches research techniques
• Guides summer research program
• Guides research presentation

Non-Discipline Faculty Mentor

• Assists in the definition of a summer research topic
• Offers interdisciplinary perspectives with regard to their advisee's field
• Facilitates interactions with faculty
• Helps with graduate school applications

Benefits of the Program

• Mentoring by faculty and the McNair Staff
• Career development and professional experience
• Access to course in GRE preparation Paid-Independent Study credits
• Eight week Summer Research Institute

Program Activities

• Rigorous Research Internship
• Workshops and Seminars
• Presentations at research conferences
• Interpersonal communications development and community building
• Cultural Events