To examine trends in science and engineering (S&E) baccalaureate degrees awarded to women by institutions in the United States (U.S.) over the past two decades, the paper draws on literature and trend data from the National Science Foundation (National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics), and the Department of Education (National Center for Education Statistics). Increasing women’s participation in S&E has become a national priority due primarily to an aging, predominantly white male U.S. S&E workforce. In 2015, women earned nearly 6 in 10 of total baccalaureate degrees awarded. Although women earn approximately half of S&E baccalaureate degrees, their representation varies considerably across fields.

Published in: World Congress on Education (WCE-2018)

• Date of Conference: 15-18 July 2018
• DOI: 10.2053/WCE.2018.0048
• ISBN: 978-1-908320-91-9
• Conference Location: Dublin, Ireland