Reconceptualizing Graduate School Preparation: Examining Undergraduate Scholars' Responses to a Critical Race Curriculum

• In Event: Roundtable Session 27
  In Roundtable Session: Critical Race Theory as an Analytical Tool

Abstract

Racial/ethnic minorities have been found to be overrepresented in the number of students who leave their doctoral programs. This finding has strong implications for graduate school preparation programs that are charged with increasing the number of underrepresented students who earn doctoral degrees. Researchers recommend improving the socialization process, discussing academic politics and sharing the knowledge of graduate students of color. This study incorporates those recommendations into a graduate school preparation program since these programs initiate the process of anticipatory socialization. The purpose of this study was to develop and pilot a critical race curriculum for graduate school preparation. Four themes emerged from the data: fighting for credibility, navigating gender inequality, wrestling with academic socialization and building a critical awareness.

Author

• Araceli Frias, University of Utah