About the Program

The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program is named in honor of Ronald E. McNair, an African-American astronaut killed in the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion in 1986.   The program is one of the United States Department of Education’s special initiatives known as TRIO that serve and assist disadvantaged students in their educational endeavors.   The goal of the McNair program is to increase the attainment of graduate degrees; particularly PhD’s by students from underrepresented segments of society such as students who are from low-income or first generation backgrounds or are minority students.

Program Goal

The goal of the McNair program is to increase the attainment of graduate degrees; particularly PhD's by students from underrepresented segments of society such as students who are from low-income and first generation backgrounds or students who are ethnic minorities and underrepresented in graduate programs.

Majors Served by the Program

Anthropology

Art History

 Biology/Biochemistry Chemistry

Criminal Justice/Criminology

 Economics English

Environmental Health

Foreign Language

 Geography

Geology

Health Sciences
History

International Affairs

 Language and Literature

Mathematics
Philosophy Psychology Physics/Astronomy

Political Science
Public Health

Sociology

Women's Studies

Appalachian Studies

 Other majors may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

We do not provide services to students who are planning to enter the following professional fields:

Medical Doctors (M.D or D.O)

 Pharmacy

Physical Therapy

 Law
Veterinary Chiropractor Optometry

Dentistry

 

How Does the Program Help Me Get Into Graduate School?

Entry into graduate school requires the prospective applicant to display an aptitude for advanced study. Your academic performance as an undergraduate is only part of the equation. Graduate school entry exams (GRE, GMAT, etc.) research and writing experience and clear educational and professional goals are equally important. The McNair program will provide opportunities for you to participate in activities that will set you apart from other undergraduate students and enable you to make impressive additions to your Curriculum Vitae (an academic resume).

Program Activities

The ETSU McNair Program has designed a program that is based on research proven techniques forpreparing students to be successful in their attempt to enter and graduate from Master's and Doctoral programs. New students are accepted once a year and begin their McNair experience with the summer component – the Pre-Research Internship.

SUMMER PROGRAM (PRE-RESEARCH INTERNSHIP)

The McNair Pre-Research Internship will provide ample opportunity for you to develop skills normally associated with students in advanced degree programs.

  • Time commitment: The pre-research internship usually takes place during the months of June, July and August and normally encompasses an 8-9 week period. Program activities typically take place Monday-Friday from 8am – 5pm, with occasional evening/weekend activities.
  • Requirements: You must meet program eligibility criteria (see the "Are You Eligible?" tab)

The Pre-Research Internship focuses on building foundations, including a thorough introduction to:

Research Designs and Methods (Quantitative, Qualitative, or Experimental) (Assignment to a Research Methods Seminar is dependent upon your major and other factors)

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test (Verbal, Analytical Writing and Quantitative)

Research Presentation Skills (Oral and Poster Formats) and Public Speaking Competency

Graduate School Application Mechanics (Personal Statements,
 Letters of Recommendation, CV's, etc.)

Post baccalaureate Academic and Career Planning

Academic Professionalism

*Please note: The Summer Internship does NOT include placement in a research setting – this is reserved for the Academic Year Internship.

  • Other benefits:
    • Use of the McNair Scholar Achievement Center (ETSU Campus)
    • Receipt of various materials that will provide resources for your graduate school search and application.
    • The opportunity to network with individuals in your discipline
    • Entry into an elite organization of scholars that will remain accessible to you for a lifetime
    • Application fee waivers for many graduate programs across the nation and eligibility for McNair specific fellowships at the doctoral level
  • Stipend: A $2,500 stipend (not taxable) is associated with the Pre-Research Internship. This stipend is distributed to the intern in increments throughout the pre-research internship.
  • Housing/Lodging: There are no longer housing benefits associated with the Pre-Research Internship.
  • Food: Participants in the Pre-Research Internship are responsible for their own food.
  • Transportation/travel expenses to and from the campus: Participants will be responsible for their own transportation and any associated expenses.
  • Textbooks, seminar materials: The McNair Program will provide all texts and materials needed for program activities.
  • Optional travel: On occasion, participants may have the opportunity to travel locally, regionally or nationally during the Pre-Research Internship. Most travel expenses associated with these optional trips are covered by the McNair Program.
  • Course credit: There is no course credit associated with this internship.

Participants who successfully complete the Pre-Research Internship will be eligible to apply for a second internship. This internship, the Research Intensive Internship, is a logical complement to the Pre-Research Internship and provides an opportunity for you to extend your knowledge and skills and to put into practice what you have learned during your first internship.

 

ACADEMIC YEAR PROGRAM (RESEARCH INTENSIVE INTERNSHIP)

  • Time commitment: The research intensive internship takes place October – April. Completion of program activities during the research intensive internship is done at the convenience of the intern and in collaboration with their faculty mentor.
  • Requirements:
    • You must be a local/regional student
    • You must have successfully completed a pre-research summer program
    • You must be enrolled as an undergraduate student for the entire duration of the Research Intensive Internship

The Research Intensive Internship focuses on increasing your discipline-specific research skills, actively pursuing graduate school entry, research conference attendance and presentation of your research.

  • Other benefits:
    • A mentored research experience with faculty in your field of interest (not a contrived research experience).
    • Opportunities to publish professional papers
    • Opportunities to attend professional conferences
    • Production of a professional research poster
    • Access to ETSU faculty and administration that will support your application to graduate school
  • Stipend: A $2,000 stipend (not taxable) is associated with the Research Intensive Internship. This stipend is distributed to the intern in increments throughout the internship.
  • Housing/Lodging: There are no housing benefits associated with the Research Intensive Internship.
  • Food: Participants in the Research Intensive Internship are responsible for their own food.
  • Transportation/travel expenses to and from the campus: Participants will be responsible for their own transportation and any associated expenses.
  • Textbooks, seminar materials: The McNair Program will provide all texts and materials needed for program activities.
  • Optional travel: On occasion, participants may have the opportunity to travel locally, regionally or nationally during the Research Intensive Internship. Most travel expenses associated with these optional trips are covered by the McNair Program.