by Pauline Muindi | Jan 9, 2024 | Admissions, Finance
If you don’t consider yourself a science and math whizz, you might assume that you can’t take advantage of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) STEM-designation program in the US.
Well, you’ll be delighted to learn that there are many non-traditional STEM majors that qualify for STEM-designation. These are majors in fields such as marketing, accounting, psychology, sociology, environmental science and forestry, and economics.
In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most popular non-traditional STEM degrees that have STEM-designation in the U.S.
What Is STEM Designation and Why Does It Matter?
When a degree is stem-designated, it means that it has been approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for a two-year extension on the initial 12-month Optional Practice Training (OPT) period that international students are given to work in the U.S after graduation.
STEM-designated degrees are recognized for their focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Students can check the periodically updated list of STEM-designated programs on the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) website. It’s also advisable to check with your school whether your major is STEM-designated.
4 Popular Non-Traditional STEM-Designated Majors
In the U.S., the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) designation is typically associated with traditional STEM fields. However, there are a few non-traditional majors that have received STEM designation due to their focus on quantitative or scientific principles.
Below is a non-comprehensive list of some popular non-traditional STEM majors that qualify for STEM-designation in some U.S colleges and universities. This information will come in handy for you when deciding on a college major in the U.S and building your school list.
#1- Accounting and Finance
Traditionally considered a business majors, accounting and finance at Master’s and doctorate levels are STEM-designated majors in some universities. These majors qualify for STEM-designation due to their heavy use of math. Here is a list of some of the STEM-designated Accounting and Finance programs in leading U.S colleges and universities.
STEM-Designated Accounting programs
- Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics at Arizona State University
- Master of Accountancy at Colorado State University
- Master of Science in Professional Accounting at Lamar University
- Master of Science in Accounting at Michigan State University
- Master of Accounting at North Carolina State University
- Master of Accounting at Ohio State University
- Master of Accounting at Rice University
- Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics (MSAA) at Seattle University
- Master’s in Professional Accounting at Syracuse University
- Master of Accountancy at George Washington University
- Master of Accounting at Tulane University
- Master of Science in Accounting at the University of Arizona
- Master of Science in accountancy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Master of Accounting at University of Miami
- Master of Accounting at University of Michigan at the University of Northern Iowa
- Accounting and Business Analytics MS at the University of Pittsburgh
- Master of Accounting at the University of South California
- Master of Science in Accounting at the University of Virginia
- Master of Accounting at Washington University in St. Louis
- Master of Accounting (MAcc) at William and Mary University
- Master of Accounting at Iowa State University
- Master’s in Accounting Analytics (MAA) at Pennsylvania State University
STEM-Designated Finance programs
- Master of Science in Finance (MS-FIN) at Arizona State University
- MS in Finance at Claremont Graduate University
- Master of Science in Applied Finance at Pepperdine University
- Master of Finance (MFIN) at the University of California – Irvine
- Master of Financial Engineering at University of California – Los Angeles
- Master of Finance at the University of California – Riverside
- Master of Science in Finance Program (MSF) at University of San Diego
- Master of Science in Financial Analysis, at the University of San Francisco
- Master’s in Finance at University of the Pacific
- Master of Science in Finance at Fairfield University
- Master of Science in Finance at the University of Miami
- Master of Analytical Finance at Emory University
- Master of Science in Finance at DePaul University
- Master of Finance (MSF) at Loyola University of Chicago
#2- Marketing Analytics
Another major that’s traditionally considered to be in business, Marketing Analytics at the Master’s and doctorate level also qualifies for STEM-designation in some colleges and universities. Programs earn STEM designation when they’re designed with strong focus on technology and data analytics. Here is a non-comprehensive list of STEM-designated marketing analytics programs in U.S colleges and universities.
- Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at Illinois State University
- Marketing Insights and Analytics at Oregon State University
- MS Digital Marketing Analytics at Montclair State University
- Master of Science in Marketing at John Hopkins University
- MS in Marketing Analytics at University of Rochester
- Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at the University of Maryland
- Master’s in Marketing Analytics at Clark University
- Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Strategy at Fairfield University
- Marketing Science and Business Analytics at the University of Pittsburgh
- MS Marketing Analytics (MSMA) at California State University
- Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Insights at Wright State University
- MS in Marketing Analytics at Illinois Tech
- MS Marketing Analytics at Pace University in New York
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing Analytics (BSBA) at Liberty University
- Master of Marketing Analysis DePaul University
- Master of Science in Marketing at University of Texas at Dallas
- MS in Marketing Science at Columbia University
- Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at Pacific Lutheran University
- Master of Science in Marketing at University of Texas at Austin
- Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBA) at Cornell University
- Master of Science in Business Analytics at the University of Illinois at Chicago
- Master’s in Business Analytics at City University of New York
#3- Master of Science in Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Science in Business Administration is another popular business major that has received STEM categorization in some universities. MBA programs that have STEM-designation have satisfied the Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics’ (NCES) requirements with their emphasis on emphasize data analytics, statistics, and technology.
Here is a list of top STEM-designated MBA programs in US universities:
- Arizona State University MBA
- University of Arizona MBA Technology Leadership Program
- Chapman University MBA
- Stanford University MBA
- University of California – Berkeley Full-time MBA
- University of California – Irvine Full-Time Master of Business Administration (FTMBA)
- University of California – Los Angeles Full-time, fully-employed, and executive MBA programs
- University of California – Riverside General and Professional MBAs
- University of California – San Francisco Full-time MBA Programs
- University of San Francisco Full-time MBA
- University of Connecticut Full-time MBA
- Yale University MBA
- American University MBA
- George Washington University Global and Accelerated MBAs
- University of Delaware MBA in business analytics
- University of Miami Full-time MBA
- Emory University MBA Business Analysis
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) – Full-time and Evening MBA
- University of Georgia One-Year STEM MBA
- Illinois Institute of Technology Business Analytics (M.B.A.)
- Hult International Business School Global One-Year MBA
- University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Full-time MBA
- University of Minnesota – Twin Cities MBA in Management Science
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus One-Year MBA
- Stevens Institute of Technology Analytics MBA
- Cornell University Two-Year Management Science MBA and One-Year Management Science MBA
#4- Journalism, Media, and Communications
You probably wouldn’t think about journalism and media studies when it comes to STEM. However, with focus on technology and data, some institutions have journalism, media, and communications majors that have received STEM designation.
Here are some top STEM-designated journalism, media, and communication programs:
- Master of Science in Media Innovation and Data Communication at Northeastern University
- Master of Science in Communication Data Science at the University of Southern California
- PhD in Emerging Technology and Media Art Practice at the University of Colorado at Boulder
- Masters of Journalism at University of California Berkeley
- Master of Arts in Journalism & Media Production at Sacred Heart University
- Master of Science in Digital Social Media at the University of Southern California Annenberg
- BS in Digital Communication and Media at Florida International University
- Digital Media Innovation at Texas State University
- The Graduate Program in the Department of Communication at University of California Davis
- Ph.D. in Information and Media at Michigan State University
How to Find STEM-Designated Programs
As you can see, there’s a broad scope of degree programs that qualify for STEM designation. However, even if a program appears on the list of STEM-designated programs provided by DHS, you have to confirm with the school.
Most schools don’t publish comprehensive lists of their STEM-designated programs on their websites. It’s up to you to reach out to them and inquire if the program you’re interested in is STEM-designated.
Financing Your STEM-Designated Degree
STEM-designated degrees come with another benefit – you’re more likely to qualify for financing. Once you’ve received an admission offer, we invite you to apply for an affordable no-cosigner student loan from 8B. All the best.
