This study examined graduate students' perceptions of academic bullying and its influence on their mental health and academic success. Graduate students are critical to higher education institutions for research and teaching. Student retention is essential to post-secondary education because it reassures a continued flow of revenues and institutional support (Scott, 2016 & Isaac, 1993). Bullying creates several mental health obstacles affecting graduate students, which could lead to them potentially dropping out and not earning their degree. There is a gap in research focusing on academic bullying in higher education institutions as well as its impacts on the educational journey for graduate students. This study aimed to understand graduate students' perceptions and experiences of academic bullying and explore graduate students' needs in overcoming the challenges of academic bullying. The overarching question for this study was: "What are model policy components that support graduate students in overcoming the challenges associated with perceived academic bullying?" [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://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]