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Graduate School

Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program

Open to prospective and current doctoral and MFA students, this program prepares underrepresented minority students to become professors. Scholars are provided $24,000 in additional funding over 4 years and receive training specifically designed to help them diversify the professoriate.

Apply

The application deadline for the Fall 2020 cohort is February 1.

 

  

Eligibility & Requirements

Who is eligible?

Underrepresented students who will be entering their first or second year in a doctoral or MFA degree program and are interested in being college professors.

Preference will be given to students in degree programs in disciplines in which there are current shortages of underrepresented professors.  

Required Materials

  • Personal Statement
  • 2 Reference Letters (including nomination from a USC academic program)
  • Formal Notification of Admission from Graduate School
  • Financial Support from USC Academic Programs
  • 3.4 GPA or Higher

Program Requirements

  • Remain in Good Academic Standing
  • No Bursar Holds or Outstanding Fees
  • Participate in Preparing Future Faculty Program (PFF)
  • Have a Faculty Mentor
  • Publish 2 Articles in our Monograph Series Publication
  • Participate in at Least 1 Community Service Project per Year
  • Complete Program of Study in 3 Years (5 years in special situations)
  • Attend Professional Development Seminars and Workshops Each Semester
     

Program Details & Benefits

Full-Time Scholars

You are considered full-time if you are enrolled in at least 9 hours per semester without an assistantship or at least 6 hours per semester with an assistantship.

Compensation
  • $6,000 stipend (4 years for doctoral, 5 semesters for MFA)
  • In-State Tuition Rates
  • Faculty Mentor
  • Professional Development Opportunities


Part-Time Scholars

You are considered part-time if you are enrolled in less than 9 hours per semester without an assistantship.

Compensation
  • $3,000 stipend (6 years for doctoral, 7 semesters for MFA)
  • In-State Tuition Rates
  • Faculty Mentor
  • Professional Development Opportunities


About the Grace Jordan McFadden Professors Program

The program is directed by Dr. John McFadden. The program was created in 1997 to address the underrepresentation of minorities in the professoriate. Originally focused on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the program has since expanded to include other underrepresented scholars from across multiple disciplines including the arts, humanities, education, social sciences, library science and business.

Participants are not required to make a commitment to USC, nor does USC make an employment commitment to participants.

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