Depth of Discipline as an Influencing Factor of Engineering Identity

In this study, we explored the relationship between depth of discipline and engineering identity. Undergraduate engineering identity scores are of importance as engineering identity is necessary for educational persistence to graduation. We explored relationships between depth of discipline and engineering identity by surveying engineering students at higher education institutions in the United States and assessing their self-reported engineering identity and demographic variables. Findings indicate that engineering students enrolled in discipline-specific engineering degrees while also pursuing a specialization or concentration possess slightly higher engineering identity than students not pursuing a specialization or concentration. Additionally, this study found that the construct of interest, a component of engineering identity, is more related to depth of discipline. This is an interesting revelation, as the construct of interest is a required prerequisite for authoring an engineering identity.