EFFECTS AND EXPERIENCES OF AFRICAN AMERICAN SINGLE MOTHERS PURSUING AN ADVANCED DEGREE WHILE RAISING CHILDREN
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Rhone, Erica. Effects and Experiences of African American Single Mothers
Pursuing An Advanced While Raising Children, Doctor of Education in Executive Educational Leadership, March 2023, Houston Baptist University, Houston, Texas.
Although single student mothers are the largest and fastest-growing student demographic in higher education institutions, the experiences of single mothers in academia remain under-explored, as the increase in literature addresses the experiences of women in higher education. Obtaining graduate level education is an ongoing challenge for single mothers to overcome because of their historical disadvantages. This multiple-case study examined African American single mothers' experiences in graduate programs, focusing on the factors that affect their graduation degree completion rates, such as childcare support, academic support services, institutional support, and mentorship, which may have helped them complete their degrees. A multiple-case study research design was used in this study. The study involved single African American mother participants’ experiences pursuing an advanced degree while raising children. Selected participants were interviewed using semi-structured interview questions designed to elicit their perceptions. Audio recordings and manual transcriptions of the interviews were conducted. Transcripts were analyzed and data coded to highlight themes and trends. This study will benefit post-secondary institution programs by improving their ability to assist single-parent students in pursuing advanced degrees.
Keywords: African American, single mothers, single parent student mothers, advanced degree