Do You Need a STEM-Certified MBA Program?
STEM-certified MBA programs, with their unique integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the traditional business curriculum, have emerged as significant players in the education landscape. But what sets these programs apart, and why should aspiring MBA students be intrigued?
The U.S. government recognizes a STEM-certified MBA program for incorporating a strong focus on quantitative and analytical skills. These programs combine the core elements of business education—management, leadership, and strategy—with courses that emphasize data analysis, technology, and problem-solving using mathematical models.
Today’s business leaders must be comfortable working with complex data and technological tools to solve modern business challenges. The curriculum of a STEM MBA typically covers business analytics, operations research, and finance, all with a data-driven approach.
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Which Schools Offer STEM-Certified MBAs?
Over the last few years, several top business schools have earned STEM certification for their MBA programs. For example, in July, Harvard Business School announced its entire MBA program was reclassified to qualify as a STEM degree.
The designation comes after a two-year review of its first-year required curriculum. This fall, it added a new course on data science and artificial intelligence for leaders and expanded management science content in its second-year elective curriculum.
“This designation will allow all our MBA students, beginning with the Class of 2025, to pursue the opportunities a STEM-eligible degree affords. The degree qualifies international students on an F-1 visa for a 24-month extension, allowing up to three years of eligibility to work in the US after graduating,” notes Rupal Gadhia, managing director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid, in the school’s Direct from the Director blog.
The State of STEM in the M7
HBS was a bit of a latecomer to full STEM designation. Here’s how the certification stands at the rest of the M7 business schools.
- Stanford Graduate School of Business: Full-Time MBA, MSx Degrees
- Chicago Booth School of Business: Full-Time MBA
- MIT Sloan School of Management: Full-Time MBA, Sloan Fellows MBA, Sloan Executive MBA
- Columbia Business School: Full-Time MBA; Executive MBA
- Kellogg School of Management: All Full-Time MBA Programs
- Wharton School: Majors in Full-Time MBA: Actuarial Science; Business Analytics; Business Economics & Public Policy; Business, Energy, Environment & Sustainability; Operations, Information & Decisions; Statistics; Quantitative Finance
Who Benefits Most from STEM-Certified MBA Programs?
STEM-certified MBA programs are ideal for students aiming to carve careers at the intersection of business and technology. Moreover, students who want to future-proof their careers can benefit from a STEM MBA’s focus on technology and quantitative skills.
As industries like healthcare, fintech, and artificial intelligence continue to evolve, professionals with a strong background in data and STEM competencies are more likely to succeed and adapt to the demands of a changing economy. This reassurance of future success is a crucial benefit of a STEM MBA.
Many employers find the STEM MBA certification desirable because the technology and management skills that students acquire while earning their degrees have become essential in today’s workplace.
Should International Students Seek Them, Too?
The advantages of STEM-certified MBA programs are even more pronounced for international students. The ability to extend Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the U.S. by 24 months, compared to the standard 12 months, is a compelling reason to pursue such a program. This extended work authorization can be a game-changer for those seeking long-term employment or sponsorship in the U.S.
Additionally, a STEM-certified MBA gives them access to high-demand roles in tech-heavy industries, making them more attractive to employers. Combining business and STEM skills can help international graduates stand out as the U.S. job market becomes more competitive.
A No-Brainer for Many
In today’s tech-driven world, a STEM-certified MBA can open doors to many career opportunities. These programs provide a strong foundation in business leadership and equip students with the analytical and technical skills needed to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace.
However, the benefits are even more significant for international students, offering extended work authorization and improved job prospects. As the demand for tech-savvy leaders grows, graduates of STEM-certified MBA programs will be well-positioned to thrive in their careers.
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Here’s a snapshot of the caliber of expertise on our SBC team.
Ashley
Ashley is a former MBA Admissions Board Member for Harvard Business School (HBS), where she interviewed and evaluated thousands of business school applicants for over a six year tenure. Ashley holds an MBA from HBS. During her HBS years, Ashley was the Sports Editor for the Harbus and a member of the B-School Blades Ice Hockey Team. After HBS, she worked in Marketing at the Gillette Company on Male and Female shaving ...
×Kerry
Kerry is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). During her 5+ year tenure at HBS, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a wide range of backgrounds across the globe. She also led marketing and outreach efforts focused on increasing diversity and inclusion, ran the Summer Venture in Management Program (SVMP), and launched the 2+2 Program during her time in Admissions. Kerry holds a B.A. from Bates College and ...
×Pauline
A former associate director of admissions at Harvard Business School, Pauline served on the HBS MBA Admissions Board full-time for four years. She evaluated and interviewed HBS applicants, both on-campus and globally. Pauline's career has included sales and marketing management roles with Coca-Cola, Gillette, Procter & Gamble, and IBM. For over 10 years, Pauline has expertly guided MBA applicants, and her clients h ...
×Geri
Geri is a former member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS). In her 7 year tenure in HBS Admissions, she read and evaluated hundreds of applications and interviewed MBA candidates from a diverse set of academic, geographic, and employment backgrounds. Geri also traveled globally representing the school at outreach events in order to raise awareness for women and international students. In additio ...
×Laura
Laura comes from the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS) and is an HBS MBA alumnus. In her HBS Admissions role, she evaluated and interviewed hundreds of business school candidates, including internationals, women, military and other applicant pools, for five years. Prior to her time as a student at HBS, Laura began her career in advertising and marketing in Chicago at Leo Burnett where she worked on th ...
×Andrea
Andrea served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at Harvard Business School (HBS) for over five years. In this role, she provided strategic direction for student yield-management activities and also served as a full member of the admissions committee. In 2007, Andrea launched the new 2+2 Program at Harvard Business School – a program targeted at college junior applicants to Harvard Business School. Andrea has also served as a Career Coach for Harvard Business School for both cu ...
×Jennifer
Jennifer served as Admissions Officer at the Stanford (GSB) for five years. She holds an MBA from Stanford (GSB) and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Jennifer has over 15 years experience in guiding applicants through the increasingly competitive admissions process into top MBA programs. Having read thousands and thousands of essays and applications while at Stanford (GSB) Admiss ...
×Erin K.
Erin served in key roles in MBA Admissions--as Director at Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and Assistant Director at Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB). Erin served on the admissions committee at each school and has read thousands of applications in her career. At Haas, she served for seven years in roles that encompassed evaluation, outreach, and diversity and inclusion. During her tenure in Admissions at GSB, she was responsible for candidate evaluation, applicant outreach, ...
×Susie
Susie comes from the Admissions Office of the Stanford Graduate School of Business where she reviewed and evaluated hundreds of prospective students’ applications. She holds an MBA from Stanford’s GSB and a BA from Stanford in Economics. Prior to advising MBA applicants, Susie held a variety of roles over a 15-year period in capital markets, finance, and real estate, including as partner in one of the nation’s most innovative finance and real estate investment organizations. In that r ...
×Dione
Dione holds an MBA degree from Stanford Business School (GSB) and a BA degree from Stanford University, where she double majored in Economics and Communication with concentrations in journalism and sociology. Dione has served as an Admissions reader and member of the Minority Admissions Advisory Committee at Stanford. Dione is an accomplished and respected advocate and thought leader on education and diversity. She is ...
×Anthony
Anthony served as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, where he dedicated over 10 years of expertise. During his time as a Wharton Admissions Officer, he read and reviewed thousands of applications and helped bring in a class of 800+ students a year. Anthony has traveled both domestically and internationally to recruit a ...
×Meghan
Meghan served as the Associate Director of Admissions and Marketing at the Wharton MBA’s Lauder Institute, a joint degree program combining the Wharton MBA with an MA in International Studies. In her role on the Wharton MBA admissions committee, Meghan advised domestic and international applicants; conducted interviews and information sessions domestically and overseas in Asia, Central and South America, and Europe; and evaluated applicants for admission to the program. Meghan also managed ...
×Amy
Amy comes from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where she was Associate Director. Amy devoted 12 years at the Wharton School, working closely with MBA students and supporting the admissions team. During her tenure at Wharton, Amy served as a trusted adviser to prospective applicants as well as admitted and matriculated students. She conducted admissions chats with applicants early in the admissions ...
×Ally
Ally brings six years of admissions experience to the SBC team, most recently as an Assistant Director of Admission for the full-time MBA program at Columbia Business School (CBS). During her time at Columbia, Ally was responsible for reviewing applications, planning recruitment events, and interviewing candidates for both the full-time MBA program and the Executive MBA program. She traveled both internationally and dome ...
×Erin B.
Erin has over seven years of experience working across major institutions, including University of Pennsylvania, Columbia Business School, and NYU's Stern School of Business. At Columbia Business School, Erin was an Assistant Director of Admissions where she evaluated applications for both the full time and executive MBA programs, sat on the admissions and merit scholarship committees and advised applicants on which program might be the best fit for them based on their work experience and pro ...
×Emma
Emma comes from the MBA Admissions Office at Columbia Business School (CBS), where she was Associate Director. Emma conducted dozens of interviews each cycle for the MBA and EMBA programs, as well as coordinating the alumni ambassador interview program. She read and evaluated hundreds of applications each cycle, delivered information sessions to audiences across the globe, and advised countless waitlisted applicants. ×
