The McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program is a comprehensive program structured to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as graduate students, professors, and professional researchers. The program is an educational opportunity program funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 collectively known as TRIO Programs. The McNair Scholars Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education. This preparation is offered in the form of meetings, seminars, advising, tutoring, faculty mentoring, and the completion of a Summer Research Internship.
Most students begin the program as juniors.
At first, the program's primary purpose is to advise new scholars on how to get the most out of their undergraduate careers. To this end, McNair staff will help scholars create an Academic Development Plan to see that the scholars are making progress toward their academic goals. During the school year before their summer internships, McNair Scholars develop relationships with faculty members, from whom each scholar chooses an internship mentor. In the summer before their final year of program participation, McNair Scholars undertake an 8-week Summer Research Internship with the guidance of a faculty mentor. Upon completion of their research, scholars write an article for submission to the McNair Scholars Program.