2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

From Classroom to Licensure — Exploring Diverse Student and Faculty Perspectives on the FE Exam Requirement

Presented at Student Division (STDT) Technical Session 3

The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam represents an important transition between engineering education and professional licensure in the United States. Despite its significance, less is known about how students understand this requirement and how institutional support shapes their preparation. This study explores engineering students’ perceptions of the FE exam at a historically Black college and university using a mixed-methods design grounded in Schlossberg’s Transition Theory. Data were collected from 36 undergraduate and graduate engineering students through a structured questionnaire that included Likert-scale items and open-ended questions. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent-samples t-tests, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic analysis.
Results show that students recognize the importance of the FE exam but report moderate awareness, low confidence, and uncertainty regarding exam timing, registration procedures, and financial requirements. Perceptions of advising and institutional support were mixed, particularly in terms of access to preparation resources and timeliness of guidance. Gender-based differences were observed in advising experiences, while differences based on first-generation status were not statistically significant, although small variations in perceived support were noted. Qualitative findings further highlight time constraints, uncertainty about the alignment between coursework and exam content, financial concerns, and the need for earlier and more structured guidance.
These findings suggest that awareness of licensure expectations alone is insufficient to ensure readiness. Strengthening advising practices and integrating licensure preparation into the curriculum may better support students’ transition from academic study to professional practice.

Authors

Samuel Sola Akosile Morgan State University [biography]

Samuel Akosile is a Ph.D. student in Sustainable Infrastructure and Resilience Engineering at Morgan State University, within the Department of Civil Engineering. He currently works as a Research Assistant, contributing to innovative studies in the field of civil infrastructure. His primary research area focuses on sustainable design for pavement systems, aiming to develop environmentally responsible, durable, and cost-effective solutions for modern transportation networks. Samuel’s work explores the integration of green materials, lifecycle assessment, and resilient engineering practices in pavement design. Through his research, he seeks to address key challenges in infrastructure sustainability while promoting long-term resilience in the face of climate change and increasing urban demands
John Olawale Akosile Morgan State University
Dr. Oludare Adegbola Owolabi P.E. Morgan State University [biography]

Dr. Oludare Owolabi, a professional engineer in Maryland, joined the Morgan State University faculty in 2010. He is the director of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development, Smart Innovation and Resilient Engineering Research Lab, Department of Civil Engineering at Morgan State University
Grace Yemisi Balogun-Ifesanmi http://orcid.org/https://my-orcid?orcid=0009-0005-7248-5013 Morgan State University [biography]

Grace Yemisi Balogun-Ifesanmi is a Ph.D. student in Bio-Environmental Sciences at Morgan State University. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Plant Biology from the University of Ilorin, Nigeria, with specializations in food safety and environmental biology. With a professional background in environmental, health & safety (EHS) consultancy and ISO 14001:2015 auditing, she blends research with impact. Her passion lies in ESG strategy, nanoparticle applications to mitigate environmental challenges, as well as microplastic studies. She continues to explore the intersection of science and policy for a global sustainable future.

Grace's research on the use of nanoceria as a foliar application offers promising strategies to reduce toxic stress and promote sustainable agriculture.
https://orcid.org/my-orcid?orcid=0009-0005-7248-5013
Jeremiah Olaoluwa Akinlade http://orcid.org/0009-0009-1908-2361 [biography]

Jeremiah Olaoluwa Akinlade is a Doctoral student in Civil Engineering at Morgan State University, with strong interests in structural and transportation engineering, data-driven analysis, and engineering education. His academic and research pursuits align closely with ASEE’s mission of advancing excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in engineering education, with a focus on translating research into impactful teaching, workforce development, and real-world engineering practice.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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