UCLA Anderson School of Management’s full-time, fully-employed, and executive MBA programs have received STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) certification. Anderson now joins a select group of business schools to receive the certification for all of its programs, regardless of specialization. The certification is retroactive to the class of 2019. These programs join Anderson’s Master of Financial Engineering and Master of Science in Data Analytics, which were previously STEM-certified.
In response to technological innovations, employer requirements, and student interest, UCLA Anderson’s MBA program’s focus has become more qualitative. Dean Antonio Bernardo stated, “Our MBA programs have always had significant qualitative elements, but as technology has advanced and more MBA students turn to tech careers, the number of data and quantitative courses in the MBA curriculum at Anderson has grown significantly. This change is a reflection of that.”
More about the new STEM designation
The STEM curriculum – a combination of technology and management – will give grads the essential skills that recruiters are seeking. “Anderson’s STEM designation will underscore our students’ abilities and interests in these areas,” said Bernardo.
International students will benefit further from the new STEM designation. MBA grads are generally permitted to hold a job in the US for 12 months. STEM grads can apply for an additional 24 more months of work experience after graduation.
The STEM designation was created by the U.S. government to help deal with the lack of qualified employees in scientific and tech fields. The Department of Homeland Security’s STEM Designated Degree Program, which includes different STEM areas, permits eligible students with F-1 visas to apply for a STEM OPT (Optional Practical Training) extension. Any UCLA Anderson international student currently on an F-1 visa and enrolled in one of the designated programs will be able to apply for the extension.
UCLA’s graduate division reviewed how the three Anderson MBA programs are categorized by the National Center for Education Statistics under a Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code. Once the review was completed, the programs were changed from “Business Administration and Management, General,” to “Management Science,” which is considered a STEM program.
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Related Resources:
- Navigate the MBA Maze, a free guide
- Top MBA Programs Get STEM-Certified to Attract Int’l Students
- What MBA Students Can Expect at UCLA Anderson, a podcast episode