UPDATE: This article was originally published on March 25, 2020. It has been updated with new information and tips below.
A recent surge in STEM (Science, Engineering, Tech, and Mathematics)-focused MBA programs in the United States has come about as a way for schools both to increase their relevance in an increasingly analytical and tech-driven world and to attract more international students.
Whether you have a background in business or in STEM-related fields, if your goals involve combining these two areas or landing a job in the US, a STEM-designated MBA might be the solution you’re looking for!
What is a STEM MBA?
STEM MBA programs are structured to simultaneously build your analytical and business skills. While offering students the opportunity to develop their management and business leadership skills, they can also target areas such as accounting, business analytics, decision theory, finance, economics, information technology, law, marketing, management, statistics, and strategy. This will fast-track students’ career paths after the MBA into technical and analytical positions.
While this is not a program recommended for those who want to focus on gaining general management skills, if you have a technical background and want to focus on building your business skills while leveraging your analytical strengths, a STEM MBA might be the right fit for you!
What are the benefits of a STEM MBA?
STEM MBA programs are particularly beneficial for international students
Most top schools in the US, such as Tuck and MIT, are committed to admitting a large pool of international students and their ability to earn work visas, especially amidst the current context of limited immigration opportunities. If you are looking for a way to work in the US post-MBA, this is a great way to achieve that.
STEM MBAs offer a 3-year OPT (optional practice training) period
Because STEM fields are considered essential to the US economy’s growth, the government grants non-citizen graduates of STEM-designated programs the ability to work in the United States for a period of time without having to obtain a sponsored visa from a company or receive an H1-B visa.
Compared with typical MBA programs, a STEM MBA offers international graduates the opportunity to work longer in the US. While all MBA graduates are eligible for 1-year OPT visas (unless you previously completed a degree in the US and already obtained an OPT visa), STEM MBA graduates have a 2-year extension on this period, totaling 3 years.
There are a number of regulations determining eligibility for this type of visa, so make sure you check out the US Department of Homeland Security’s website here for more information.
STEM MBA programs can help you focus on the increasing links between business and technology/data
As employers in the business field have a growing need for staff who can help them utilize and analyze data and tech, a degree that emphasizes expertise in this field can help ensure that you are placed into a quality job post-MBA.
Additionally, top tech firms such as Amazon and Google are now some of the biggest employers of MBA graduates. Candidates who can demonstrate expertise in both STEM and business are exactly what many leading firms are looking for – people who can understand their rapidly evolving systems and platforms while translating this into marketable strategies and profitable models.
What should you consider before deciding on a STEM MBA program?
Do your research on what careers are available in the industries you are interested in so you have an idea of what combination of business and STEM expertise is required.
Consider what job function fits you best
Think about your past experience and what kind of role you want. Are you more interested in a strategic analyst position or perhaps a management role? Research MBA tracks that focus on preparing students for these specific areas.
Also, think about any career shifts you may want to make. If you have a business background and desire to move into more analytical roles, or if you have a technical background and want to move into a management or business role, the STEM MBA will be ideal for helping you make that shift.
Consider where you want to be located
Depending on your own goals, you may want to be located in a specific region. For example, if you are interested in software engineering, you may be focused on landing yourself in Silicon Valley. Once you know your top geographic picks, research MBA programs and internship/professional opportunities in those areas so you can get an idea of what your future might look like.
Understand your strengths and gaps
As your goals will likely require you to develop yourself in multiple areas, it’s important for you to recognize both what you want to build upon and what you are lacking so you can choose a program that is right for you.
You may not have the correct balance of STEM and business expertise for your dream job right now, but the correct STEM MBA program can help you develop exactly those areas that you need to target most urgently. Do your research on the courses, professors, and extracurricular opportunities available at different programs so you can get an idea of which ones fit you best.
What are some top STEM-designated MBA programs?
While this list is certainly not exhaustive, and we recommend you do your own research depending on your own interests, priorities, and objectives, these are some of the top STEM MBA programs currently available:
Harvard Business School
In 2024, Harvard’s MBA program was fully STEM-certified following the addition of a course on data science and artificial intelligence in the core curriculum.
Combining the prestige of Harvard’s MBA with a STEM focus is a surefire way to get quality employment in the US after graduation.
Stanford Graduate School of Business
GSB’s MBA and MSx programs are both eligible for STEM designation. The STEM designation is yet another sign of Stanford’s commitment to supporting its international student population and promoting data-based solutions to global issues.
Source: stanford.edu
The Wharton School
While not all majors at Wharton are STEM-eligible, many of their options are. These are:
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Business Analytics
- Business Economics & Public Policy
- Business, Energy, Environment & Sustainability (BEES)
- Environmental, Social and Governance Factors for Business (ESGB)
- Finance
- Operations, Information & Decisions (OID)
- Quantitative Finance
- Social and Governance Factors for Business
- Statistics
If you pursue a major outside of these STEM-designated fields, you will not be eligible for the STEM OPT extension. Additionally, Wharton allows students to pursue double majors, which can be a strategic way to include a STEM-designated major alongside another area of interest.
Columbia Business School
Columbia Business School’s full-time MBA program is fully STEM-designated. This designation applies to all MBA students, regardless of their chosen electives or concentrations.
This designation reflects Columbia’s emphasis on integrating data science, technology, and analytics throughout its MBA curriculum. It also applies to the Executive MBA (EMBA) program.
MIT Sloan School of Management
MIT Sloan’s full-time MBA program is fully STEM-designated, reflecting the school’s deep integration of analytical rigor, data science, and technology throughout its curriculum. The designation applies across all tracks and electives, giving every MBA student the opportunity to qualify for the STEM OPT extension.
With MIT’s strong engineering and tech ecosystem, Sloan naturally blends management education with innovation, making it a standout choice for international students pursuing STEM-driven leadership roles.
Source: mitsloan.mit.edu
University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business
Chicago Booth’s full-time MBA program is fully STEM-designated, meaning all students, regardless of concentration, qualify for the STEM OPT extension. This designation reflects Booth’s data-driven approach to business education, with a curriculum grounded in analytics, economics, and quantitative reasoning.
The school officially adopted the STEM certification across its MBA in 2020, aligning its academic rigor with the evolving needs of the global job market.
Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management
all of Kellogg’s full-time MBA programs—including the Two-Year, One-Year, MMM, MBAi and JD-MBA tracks—are officially STEM-designated. This change means every student, regardless of major or pathway, is eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension following their post-completion OPT.
The designation reflects Kellogg’s growing emphasis on analytical, data-driven decision-making embedded across its curriculum.
Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business
Duke Fuqua’s full-time MBA program is fully STEM-designated, allowing all graduates to qualify for the STEM OPT extension. This designation underscores Fuqua’s emphasis on data-driven decision-making and analytical rigor throughout its curriculum. International students benefit from extended work authorization in the U.S., enhancing their post-MBA career opportunities.
Duke Fuqua. Source: www.fuqua.duke.edu
UC Berkeley’s Haas
Berkeley Haas’s full-time MBA program is fully STEM-designated, allowing all graduates to qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. This designation reflects Haas’s emphasis on analytical rigor and data-driven decision-making throughout its curriculum. International students benefit from extended work authorization in the U.S., enhancing their post-MBA career opportunities.
Yale School of Management
Yale SOM’s full-time MBA program is now fully STEM-designated, allowing all graduates to qualify for the STEM OPT extension. This change underscores the program’s commitment to integrating analytical rigor and quantitative skills throughout its curriculum. The STEM designation reflects the program’s emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills, including coursework in statistics, operations management, mathematical modeling, optimization, and game theory.
Dartmouth Tuck
Tuck offers a STEM-designated track within its full-time MBA program through the Management Science and Quantitative Methods (MSQM) Option. To qualify, students must complete the core Analytics 1 and 2 courses and at least 15 elective credits from a curated list of quantitative-focused courses. These electives cover areas such as AI-driven analytics, optimization modeling, quantitative investing, supply chain management, and predictive analytics with generative AI.
This track is ideal for students aiming for careers in data-driven fields like consulting, finance, and technology. International students who complete the MSQM Option are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, in addition to the standard 12-month OPT period.
NYU Stern
NYU Stern offers two fully STEM-designated MBA programs: the traditional two-year Full-Time MBA and the one-year Andre Koo Technology and Entrepreneurship MBA. Both programs integrate a strong emphasis on quantitative and analytical skills, preparing graduates for the evolving demands of the business world.
Full-Time MBA: Designated as STEM in January 2020, this program incorporates a curriculum rich in data analytics, statistics, and technology management. Students can specialize in areas such as FinTech, Business Analytics, and Management of Technology & Operations, all contributing to a comprehensive analytical skill set.
Andre Koo Tech MBA: Launched in 2018 and STEM-designated in 2019, this one-year program is tailored for those aiming to lead in the tech industry. It combines core business knowledge with technology-focused courses and experiential learning projects, including a West Coast immersion in tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
Source: stern.nyu.edu
University of Michigan Ross
Since 2020, Ross full-time MBA students could pursue a specialization in Management Science to receive STEM designation.
The Michigan Ross Specialization in Management Science offers MBA students the ability to customize their STEM-designated path to their interests through a diverse set of courses, with topics ranging from artificial intelligence to marketing engineering and analytics.
Cornell Johnson
Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management offers multiple STEM-designated MBA pathways, providing international students with the opportunity to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
Two-Year MBA: The traditional two-year MBA program in Ithaca is STEM-designated, emphasizing analytical and quantitative skills across its curriculum. Students engage in core courses such as Financial Accounting, Data Analytics and Modeling, and Managing Operations, and can further specialize through electives in areas like Data Modeling & Analytics and Technology Product Management.
Johnson Cornell Tech MBA: This one-year, STEM-designated program is based in New York City and focuses on the intersection of business and technology. Students participate in Studio projects, collaborating with peers from engineering, law, and computer science to develop tech-driven solutions. The curriculum includes courses in digital marketing, product management, and data analytics.
Johnson Cornell Tech 1+1 MBA: A hybrid 21-month program combining the first year in Ithaca with the second year at Cornell Tech in NYC. Students begin with the traditional MBA curriculum and then transition to the tech-focused environment, engaging in interdisciplinary projects and a required tech/digital summer internship.
These programs reflect Cornell Johnson’s commitment to integrating technology and analytics into business education, preparing graduates for leadership roles in a data-driven world.
Carnegie Mellon Tepper
Tepper’s MBA is a STEM MBA, preparing students as leaders who can leverage technology, data, and analytics to solve current business challenges.
Source: cmu.edu
As Tepper’s website says, “Our STEM MBA program is a future-focused business school experience, designed for the complexity of today’s marketplace. We prepare students for 21st-century changes by emphasizing the application of technology within business.” By combining Carnegie Mellon’s excellence in tech, engineering, and science with Tepper’s business expertise, pursuing the STEM concentration here is a particularly powerful choice.
UCLA Anderson
UCLA Anderson offers STEM designation across all of its MBA programs, providing significant flexibility to those who are interested in the benefits of this track but also have more specific career interests. Anderson’s Master of Financial Engineering and Master of Science in Data Analytics are also STEM-certified.
These developments reflect the school’s increasing focus on quantitative approaches due to technological advances in business.
UT McCombs
The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business offers STEM certification for 14 of its 20+ MBA concentrations. Areas of focus within these concentrations include Business Analytics, Information Technology and Management, and Technology Commercialization.
The curriculum emphasizes quantitative rigor and analytical skills, aligning with industry demands in areas like business analytics and finance. This STEM designation reflects McCombs’ commitment to equipping students with the tools necessary for data-driven decision-making and leadership in technologically advanced business environments.
Still unsure of how to choose and apply to the right program?
Deciding whether a STEM MBA is really right for you and which one is best can be difficult amidst changing job markets and political conditions.
Our team is here to help you answer all those burning questions and organize your experience and goals into a clear path forward.
We can help you decide which schools and programs fit you best, how to market yourself in interviews and essays and get accepted into the school that will land you your dream job.
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