STEM MBA Programs | 3 Things You’ll Gain

The University of San Francisco School of Management has received STEM degree status for two of its dual MBA programs. But what’s the value for students?

STEM-designated MBAs have been introduced with the future in mind.

The MSFA/MBA dual degree offers a grounding in business management and broad financial overviews, but there’s an emphasis on the quantitative rigor seen in the financial field. Arming students with the ability to approach business quantitively––to be able to employ data and analytics to the decision-making process––makes them more attractive to employers in finance.

The MSEM/MBA focuses on one of the fastest growing sectors in the world––environmental and sustainable business. The program, which can be studied full-time or part-time, focuses on developing and integrating environmental strategy, managing a nonprofit, and taking on a leadership role in the industry.

In an effort to encourage more business schools to follow suit, the US government has a STEM designation scheme, established to help plug the digital skills gap. With the US alone seeing a demand for three million more STEM jobs now than in 2016 (according to recruitment agency Randstad North America), there’s definitely a market out there for graduates with that STEM-designation attached to their qualification.

3. You’ll be able to extend your stay in the US if you’re an international student

There’s another key reason STEM-designated MBAs are growing in popularity, and that’s the opportunity international students have to potentially extend their stay in the US.

Overseas students can only normally apply for a student visa that allows them to stay and work in the US for one year.

If they have a STEM degree, they can apply for an optional practical training (OPT) extension to their F-1 visa, which can give international graduates with a STEM-designated MBA up to three years in the US without the H1B visa, provided they work within a STEM field.