Invisible men: the underrepresentation of African American males in doctoral programs

2015-03-09This study explored factors related to African American male success in doctoral level education to understand the barriers that prevent or facilitate degree completion. Participants were 16 African American male students or graduates of doctoral programs from a Historical Black College and University and a Predominantly White Institution from the West coast and involved 10 interviews and two focus groups. This phenomenological study used Critical Race Theory (CRT) to analyze university practices and policies and how they impacted African American male access, retention, support, and completion of doctoral degrees. ❧ The study explored the similarities and differences among the narratives of the men from each campus. Findings revealed various reasons for attending a doctoral program, ranging from career advancement to personal reasons, or to engaging in a program at the urging of a mentor or colleague. Early mentoring was very important for these young men, as was early exposure to doctoral studies and help in navigating potential barriers to program completion. Finally, this study revealed the importance of having an effective support system to assist these males through an academic process that can prove to be a lonely, arduous journey