Background: Longstanding data have established that women earn about 20% of undergraduate degrees in engineering; they also have lower academic self-efficacy in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields than do men. This study examines these findings through a longitudinal design that explores whether cooperative education (co-op) can…

The cooperative program, its rationale and development, since 1968, at The University of the Pacific are described. The school is on a 4-1-4 calendar with four courses fall and spring, a one-course January term, and a regular summer term. Cooperative work experience begins in the third year. (TS)

The development of sandwich courses, a review of their progress and a consideration of the problems associated with their operation are described. These courses are integrated so that industrial training is required and is interspersed between academic segments. (Author/TS)

The expansion of the Rensselear Polytechnic Institute's cooperative program is described. Recruiting and selection of students for the program which leads to the Master's degree, and relations with faculty also are included. (TS)