STEM MBA program is not just a way to enhance one’s skills in highly coveted management from a U.S. MBA program but also to extend one’s stay in North America for up to three years after graduation. A STEM MBA program can open avenues for students in the most sought fields of today. Let us study the different aspects related to a STEM MBA program.
What Actually is a STEM MBA Program
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The U.S. government considers fields like business statistics, Mathematics, Quantitative Methods, Computer Science, etc. as STEM. STEM MBA is basically a degree designation in the U.S. that is authorised by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the US Government.
Benefits of a STEM MBA program
A STEM MBA program is actually a mixture of business and analytics courses. There are a number of benefits of pursuing a STEM MBA program. Some of them are being discussed here –
1) Enhanced Skill Set – We all know that to land a job of one’s dreams, the most important thing that is required is a skill set that is in demand. A STEM MBA program has a great mix of quantitative and qualitative modules that help in shaping good adept leaders.
2) Employment Opportunities – According to research and related data, there is going to be a shortage of workforce in STEM jobs in the coming years. Approximately 2 million jobs would be there by the year 2025. Therefore, it is a good idea to pursue a STEM MBA program to get the most coveted jobs in the field in the near future.
3) Exposure to Tech Innovation – More than ever, technology is the backbone of the world economy right now. A STEM MBA program exposes students to big data along with its varied applications in different sectors of business like fintech, blockchain, etc. The best of the technology companies like Google have been hiring more and more MBA graduates. STEM graduates are going to be at the forefront of all the great innovations in the years to come, including artificial intelligence.
4) Extended Stay in the U.S. – The biggest benefit of a STEM MBA program over a regular non-STEM MBA program is for international students who want to pursue their careers in the U.S. and stay there. Most of the business schools in the U.S. help their students to stay in the U.S. for a maximum period of 12 months OPT (optional practical training). On the other hand, a STEM MBA program gives the OPT for 36 months without an H-1B visa.
How to Use a STEM MBA Program
This is one of the most important things to learn about a STEM MBA program. Once an applicant is selected in a STEM MBA program, the business school sends the Form I-20 to her/him. After this, the applicant can apply for an F-1 student visa. After receiving this, students can start with their MBA programs. In case it is a STEM MBA program, students can opt for extending their OPT for a total of 36 months by submitting Form I-765 for application of employment authorization.
Business Schools for a STEM MBA Program
There are different business schools in the U.S. which either offer STEM-designated entire MBA programs or concentration tracks and specializations in the field of management sciences that are designated as STEM. The fields can be business modelling, analytics, quantitative methods, etc.
There are different kinds of options available for a STEM MBA program like electives, dual degree programs as well as fully integrated MBA programs. Here is a list of some of the top business schools of the U.S. that offer a STEM MBA program –
- Columbia Business School – MBA program of 16-20 months and EMBA program of 16-24 months
- Haas School of Business – MBA program of 24 months
- Stern School of Management – MBA program of 24 months
- Tepper School of Business – MBA program of 24 months
- Simon School of Business – MBA program of 24 months
- Booth School of Business – MBA – Analytic Finance, Business Analytics Concentrations of 24 months
- Kellogg School of Management – MBA – Management Science Major of 24 months
- Yale School of Management – MBA – Management Science Concentration of 24 months
- Tuck School of Business – MBA – STEM Track of 24 months
- Fuqua School of Business – MBA – MSTeM Track of 22 months
- S.M. Ross School of Business – MBA – Data & Business Analytics Concentration of 24 months
- Marshall School of Business – MBA – Management Science Specialization of 20 months
- Kenan-Flagler Business School – MBA – Business Analytics & Management Science Concentration of 24 months
- Kelley School of Business – MBA – Business Analytics, Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Supply Chain & Operations Majors of 24 months
- Owen Graduate School of Management – Finance Concentration of 24 months
- Olin Graduate School of Business – MBA – Quantitative Finance, Business Analytics & Machine Learning Concentrations of either 12 or 24 months
- Paul Merage School of Business – MBA – Analytics In Digital Leadership concentration of 24 months
- UConn School of Business – MBA – Business Analytics, Digital Marketing Strategy, Financial Analysis, and Investments Concentrations of 24 months
- Krannert School of Management – MBA-STEM of 21 months
- Wisconsin School of Business – MBA – Operations and Technology Management, Supply Chain Management Specializations of 24 months
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Conclusion – A STEM MBA program is an excellent idea to improve one’s employability in STEM jobs in the near-term future. A regular MBA program that is not STEM-designated allows a one-year VISA to international students while a STEM MBA program allows its graduates to extend their stay for 3 years in the U.S. One should go through the details of STEM MBA programs offered by different business schools in the U.S. and make a choice as per one’s interests and inclinations. As they say, one needs to stay aware to stay ahead. All the best!
Contributor – Richa Mathur
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