Women's Self-Efficacy Perceptions in Mathematics and Science: Investigating USC-MESA Students

Abstract

Higher education institutions have struggled with the underrepresentation of female students in the STEM majors. The authors investigate the USC-MESA program and the role of womens self-efficacy perceptions in mathematics and science. It is crucial to understand the theory of self-efficacy in examining historically underrepresented populations in the STEM fields and the external factors that play a key role in their persistence to pursue STEM fields in college and beyond.