Staying the Course: Narratives of African American Males Who Have Completed a Baccalaureate Degree

This study investigated the factors that contribute to African American males successfully completing a baccalaureate degree. Employing a qualitative research design, the author conducted focus group interviews with African American male graduate students (n = 11). Participants identified four factors as being significant contributors to their successful completion of a baccalaureate degree: (1) having an epiphany about the importance of higher education; (2) having access to the resources needed to attend and persist in an institution of higher education; (3) having a mentor, and (4) being resilient when faced with obstacles. Implications for institutions of higher education are discussed.