FURI | Spring 2018

Service Learning and Retention in Undergraduate Engineering

Service learning courses, such as the Engineering Projects in Community Service (EPICS) program have been shown to improve engagement. The research objective is to determine the impact of service-based learning classes on student persistence in engineering majors. Student intentions to remain in engineering and historical enrollment data in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering were collected to determine the effect of enrollment that EPICS has on retention in engineering, particularly for women, minority, and first-generation students. By understanding the potential enhanced impacts of service learning, recommendations can be made to improve engineering courses for a diverse student population.