Activities and Service

  • Workshops and Seminars
    During the fall and winter semesters, all McNair scholars participate in graduate school preparation workshops related to: the application process, preparation for admission tests, library research, financing graduate study, graduate school survival strategies, advanced writing skills, advanced technology skills and effective presentations.
  • Research Internships
    Scholars conduct 275 hours of research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. They receive a stipend. McNair Scholars have the option of completing their research internship during the academic year or summer session. Most conduct their research during the academic year.
    • The academic year internship requires at least ten hours of research per week during the fall and winter semesters. The summer internship requires thirty-five hours of research per week. Both internships award up to a $2,800 stipend.
    • By serving as a research intern under the guidance of a faculty mentor, scholars are directly engaged in research and scholarship. McNair Scholars receive individual attention from mentors as they plan independent study, formulate research issues, and develop conceptual and technical skills leading to reports on research findings.
    • At the end of the internship McNair Scholars complete a research paper documenting their work during the internship and present their research at the annual McNair Scholars Conference.
  • Travel
    Scholars have the option to attend a professional or academic conference with their faculty mentors as well as graduate school recruiting fairs or campus visits. In addition to being able to observe their mentors as they engage with other colleagues, scholars witness the results of research and develop contacts with experts and graduate students in their fields of interest.
  • Orientation
  • Graduate School Admissions
  • Counseling Aids for Admission
  • Financial Planning Services for Graduate School
  • Resource Room Components
    • Computers with software (Adobe Photoshop, SAS, SPSS, etc.)
    • Digital Video Camera
    • Video Conferencing
    • LCD Projector for video and computer presentations
    • Scanner
    • CAT (Computer Adoptive Test) GRE Prep. Program
  • Publications
    • The MU McNair Journal is the official journal of the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of Missouri-Columbia. The MU McNair Journal is published annually. Manuscripts are accepted from McNair Scholars participating in the program at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Published Issues include journals since 1993.
    • The Challenger is a newsletter published multiple times during year. It provides program information to McNair Scholars and Mentors.