Results from a pilot survey of engineering and engineering technology students in 2-year and 4-year institutions

Taking full advantage of community colleges as sources of science and engineering majors is a critical component of U.S. science and technology policy. Although data are available on the number of degree recipients in engineering and engineering technology (e/et) at the associate's degree level, there are not reliable data on either the number of community college students who intend to transfer to baccalaureate e/et programs or the number who successfully make the transition. As a first step in examining this issue, the current project is a pilot study with a purposeful sample of 35 community colleges and 15 engineering colleges in the U.S. The survey of the identified institutions is completed. Institutions provided information on the number and demographic information of students who have or will transfer to four-year e/et programs. Issues with data collection and results are discussed.