STEM MBA Programs At U.S. B-Schools

The Mendoza College MBA/MSBA dual degree allows students to blend a values-based business education at Notre Dame with a love of data. Notre Dame photo

University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business

MBA/Master of Science in Business Analytics Dual Degree

The first year in the Notre Dame Mendoza dual-degree program focuses primarily on MBA core courses, including an introduction to business analytics in the spring, to provide a foundation for students’ internship experience. In the second year, they complete MSBA and MBA required courses such as Data Storytelling, Machine Learning and Spreadsheet Decision Modeling, and select from a wide range of elective offerings to suit their career objectives. Each of four semesters consists of two 7-week modules, separated by a one-week inter-term intensively focused on developing and applying analytics skills. In four semesters, with 68 credits, students earn two degrees “and discover everything you’ve ever wanted to know about business and analytics.”

Iowa State University Ivy College of Business

MBA in Business Analytics, Information Systems, or Finance

The Ivy College offers a STEM MBA in Business Analytics, Information Systems, and Finance. The school’s full-time MBA is built around 10 core courses (30 credits) and six electives (18 credits), with core courses offered on the school’s Ames, Iowa campus in the Gerdin Business Building, home of the Ivy College of Business. Electives are offered in Ames, Des Moines, and online. Students may customize their MBA experience with optional specializations and international study tours, and they have access to “comprehensive and personalized academic and career services” and “faculty engaged in leading-edge research” who are “committed to teaching excellence.”

Purdue University Krannert School of Management

MBA in Business Analytics and Information Management, Finance, Global Supply Chain Management, or Marketing

Purdue’s Krannert School is launching a STEM-designated MBA degree option this fall, with four options for specializations: business analytics and information management, finance, global supply chain management, or marketing. The 60-credit-hour, four-semester STEM-designated MBA will be based on statistics, computer applications, and data analysis, along with core business classes. “We believe this new degree option will be a perfect fit at Purdue, which is renowned for its excellence in STEM-related fields,” says Greg Beaver, executive director of Krannert’s MBA, Master of Science and doctorate programs. “The four concentration areas give students the chance to personalize their degree by taking courses that are aligned with their career aspirations. They also will be able to gain valuable practical experience through collaborative opportunities with the Purdue Foundry, Discovery Park, and other campus incubators and innovation centers.”

Virginia Darden announced their new STEM-approved Management Science specialization in April 2019. Darden photo

University of Virginia Darden School of Business

MBA Specialization in Management Science 

The Virginia Darden management science specialization “will build on the required Darden core curriculum, offering students the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of quantitative and analytical skills and capabilities.” Students must complete 12 credit hours of selected courses with a quantitative and analytical focus. Courses are available in a range of academic areas, including Accounting, Economics, Finance, Quantitative Analysis, and Technology and Operations. Forty elective courses currently taught at the school will satisfy the requirement.

Case Western University Weatherhead School of Management

MBA STEM Track

The newest STEM MBA option is Case Western’s offering, announced in September 2019. It promises graduates they will “benefit from Weatherhead’s comprehensive MBA approach while developing specific knowledge essential for a career in leadership.” The STEM MBA was designed with “a strong management core and STEM MBA electives offered in Corporate Finance, Business Analytics and Operations. Courses include Quantitative Risk Modeling, Advanced Marketing Analytics, Six Sigma and Quality Management Predictive Modeling and Artificial Intelligence.” Case Western’s STEM MBA is just the latest STEM business program offered at the Cleveland, Ohio school; earlier this year it added a STEM-track in Accounting to go with already established tracks in Business Analytics, Finance, and Operations Research and Supply Chain degree programs.

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