John Jay College Of Criminal Justice | The City University of New York

Purpose of the Program

The McNair Program serves first generation, low-income students and/or students from under-represented groups (especially African American, Hispanic, Native American and Pacific Islander). The major objective of the program is to help increase the participation of the above groups in graduate education, specifically in doctoral programs of study.  In most cases, a doctorate is required for careers such as college professor, senior researcher, or policy analyst.

Named after Dr. Ronald McNair, who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, The Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program (McNair Scholars Program) was established in 1989. There are currently 181 McNair programs throughout the U.S.

The McNair Program will:

• Provide specialized academic and support activities for student participants - to be known as McNair Scholars;
• Provide a network of peers, faculty, and staff who support and nurture McNair Scholars’ graduate education aspirations;
• Provide faculty mentors who involve McNair Scholars in research projects in order to help prepare them for graduate school;
• Provide a three-credit Spring Semester Research Seminar for First Year McNair Scholars;
• Provide Summer Research Apprenticeships for First Year McNair Scholars and Spring Semester Research projects for Second Year Scholars in order to help develop basic research skills needed for graduate study;
• Provide specialized academic and career counseling;
• Provide tutoring and special graduate school preparation seminars, including Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Preparation
• Provide for visits to graduate schools and participation in scholarly conferences with all expenses covered by the program
• Assist McNair Scholars in applying and obtaining admission to graduate school;
• Assist McNair Scholars in obtaining appropriate and adequate financial aid packages for graduate study.
• Provide support and networking among a select group of McNair Scholars with a common goal.
• Provide First Year Scholars with a $2,000 Summer Research stipend. Second Year Scholars receive a $2,000 Spring Research stipend. To receive a stipend, scholars must participate satisfactorily in all aspects of the McNair Program.