Set Apart Through Stories: A Narrative Case Study of Black Female Persistence in an Online Doctoral Program

• In Event: Fostering Student Success Through Justice-Oriented or Equitable Learning Environments

Abstract

While research has focused on understanding undergraduate student persistence graduate student persistence, particularly doctoral student persistence has been largely under researched. Given the staggeringly low percentage rate of doctoral student completion, particularly in online doctoral programs, the purpose of this narrative case study is to understand the story of persistence of five Black females in an online doctoral program. Several common themes emerged across all five participants’ stories including the role of educational experiences, overcoming difficulties, motivation and support, racial identity, and student support. This research has real and tangible implications for better understanding the experiences and needs of Black female doctoral students in online doctoral programs.

Authors

• Cece Lively, Baylor University

• Brooke Blevins, Baylor University