As long as blacks are underrepresented in graduate and professional schools, they will continue to be underrepresented in the professions and other policy-level positions. Historically, and today, the barriers to graduate education faced by blacks are diverse and include financial assistance, racism, recruitment practices, admissions policies, motivation and job opportunities. An examination of black students attending graduate schools in Alabama during the summer and fall sessions, 1974, seeks to relate access to graduate training and the experiences of the student enrolled. (Author/KE)