African American students are attending proprietary colleges in order to earn either an associates or bachelors degree. The purpose of this study was to examine African American students' experience at a proprietary college and their persistence to complete a degree program. The foundation of support for students in a proprietary college to achieve academic success warrants careful analysis of student descriptions of motivation, academic self- concept, interactions with faculty/staff, student involvement, and cultural capital associated with persistence to complete a degree program. The results from this study indicated that reasons behind student's motivation, interactions with faculty/staff, and student involvement were keys factors to enable African American students attending a proprietary college to persist towards the goal of earning a college degree. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]