Degree Date

8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Psy.D. Doctor of Clinical Psychology

Academic Discipline

Clinical Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Ericka Mingo

Second Advisor

Dr. Leah Horvath

Third Advisor

Dr. Emese Vitalis

Abstract

This study investigated the barriers encountered by African American students in earning doctorate degrees in clinical or counseling psychology at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) compared to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study aims to elucidate the challenges encountered by African American graduate students in their pursuit of doctoral degrees in clinical or counseling psychology. The study focused on analyzing the obstacles and positive impacts experienced by African American graduate students as they strive to obtain doctorates in clinical or counseling psychology. Multiple challenges and contributions have been identified in this a phenomenological qualitative study. The qualitative results indicate that the experiences of African American graduate students were influenced by several significant factors, including their self-efficacy, academic readiness, social support, the racial identity development and the effectiveness of their educational environment.

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