The proposed study will examine the college experiences of African American graduate and professional school students; specifically, the study will compare the satisfaction levels of African American graduate students attending either a historically Black college/university or a predominately white college/university. So that the proposed research may be placed in context of the existing knowledge base, this chapter of the study presents a comprehensive review of the literature on the experiences of Black graduate students at both historically black or predominately white colleges/universities.
The review begins with a delineation and discussion of the typical characteristics of African American graduate students. The discussion is then followed by an examination of research examining: (1) the specific experiences of African American graduate students at predominately white colleges and universities: (2) the specific experiences of African American graduate students at predominately black colleges and universities; and (3) comparing the specific experiences of African American graduate students across white and black colleges and universities (comparative research).
General Characteristics of African American Graduate Students
African Americans have historically used education as a primary avenue of increasing occupational, economic and social mobility. Graduate and professional school training in the United States contributes to economic and social mobility, which increases the prestige an individual obtains and provides an opportunity for individuals to acquire information that will make them leaders and productive contributors to society.
In other words, African-Americas realize and utilize the educational system to obtain prestige and socioeconomic status in America. However, there are indications that enrollment among African Americans (a measure of the extent to which the system is being utilized) may be problem...