McNair Program Seminars

Boise State McNair Scholars enroll in for-credit McNair Seminars each semester of program participation. The Seminars are taught by program staff and draw upon expertise of faculty and staff across campus. Seminar curriculum addresses various aspects of research, academic culture, and graduate preparation and ongoing development of skills, knowledge, and dispositions key to graduate admission and later success in a doctoral program. Seminars emphasize instruction and application of reading, writing and other scholarly skills - including library research, academic technology, scholarly dispositions and academic “cultural capital.” The seminars guide Scholars through the key phases and activities of the program and provide structure for their graduate preparation. Seminars are structured as follows:

YEAR ONE - FALL: McNair Scholars Seminar (3 credits - graded)

This seminar explores advanced issues relating to graduate school preparation and application, the craft of scholarly research, and the structure and processes of academic life. Activities center on scholarly development, graduate program exploration, development of the faculty mentor relationship, and exploration of topics for the upcoming summer research project.

YEAR ONE - SPRING: McNair Research Seminar (3 credits - graded)

This seminar is designed to prepare participants in the McNair Scholars Program for their upcoming summer research projects. The course guides students through the process of developing a research proposal—including formulation of a topic, review of the literature, research design, and writing of the proposal. Students work with instructors and Faculty Mentors in development of the proposal. The seminar emphasizes writing and library research skill development as key features of the research design process.

SUMMER: McNair Summer Research Seminar (3 Independent Study credits - graded)

This seminar is part of the Summer Research Program and encompassed under the 3-credit Independent Study under the guidance of a Faculty Mentor. The seminar meets one or two times weekly, focusing on research support, GRE test preparation, and graduate school application development. Fees for the 3-credit Independent Study are waived for Summer Research Program participants.

YEAR TWO - FALL: McNair Scholars Seminar (1 credit – pass/fail)

This seminar centers on issues relating to the graduate school application process and development of the graduate school application package. Topics include: identification of programs and funding sources; development of the application package and supporting documents—the statement of purpose, CVs, letters of recommendation, etc. Secondary seminar topics involve support for McNair Scholars in writing of the research paper and McNair journal article derived from summer research.

YEAR TWO - SPRING: McNair Senior Seminar (1 credit – pass/fail)

A seminar for senior level participants in the McNair Scholars Program who have completed their individual summer research projects. The course examines the production and dissemination of scholarship, focusing on the processes of writing, presentation, and publication of research reports. The core task is the develop a conference presentation based on their McNair summer research project. The seminar also explores advanced topics relating to graduate studies, academic research, and the ongoing graduate application process.