Mentoring International Students in Social Work Doctoral Programs

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study aims to fill the research gap pertaining to the unique mentoring needs of international doctoral students.

Method

Based on data from a survey conducted by GADE, this study examined doctoral students’ perspectives on academic and non-academic needs and stress as well as diversity and inclusion issues.

Findings

International students have specific mentoring needs and higher levels of stress related to coursework, deciding on research area, scholarly writing, epistemology/theory, and teaching skills while reported less stress related to candidacy and dissertation with higher overall satisfaction with their mentoring experience.

Conclusions

Findings from this study highlight specific academic and non-academic mentoring needs of international doctoral students, the importance of relational-based mentoring, and areas needing additional attention in future research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mo Yee Lee

Mo Yee Lee is Professor and PhD Program Director at Ohio State University. Xiafei Wang is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University. Jaclyn Kirsch is PhD Candidate at Ohio State University. Ray Eads is Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Chicago.

Xiafei Wang

Mo Yee Lee is Professor and PhD Program Director at Ohio State University. Xiafei Wang is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University. Jaclyn Kirsch is PhD Candidate at Ohio State University. Ray Eads is Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Chicago.

Jaclyn Kirsch

Mo Yee Lee is Professor and PhD Program Director at Ohio State University. Xiafei Wang is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University. Jaclyn Kirsch is PhD Candidate at Ohio State University. Ray Eads is Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Chicago.

Ray Eads

Mo Yee Lee is Professor and PhD Program Director at Ohio State University. Xiafei Wang is Assistant Professor at Syracuse University. Jaclyn Kirsch is PhD Candidate at Ohio State University. Ray Eads is Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Chicago.