Binghamton University MBA Program Earns STEM Designation

Demand for data analysis and other tech skills is high among employers — and master of business administration (MBA) programs are increasingly incorporating those high-demand skills into their curriculum.

That’s the case at New York’s Binghamton University, which announced its School of Management’s (SOM) MBA program earned a STEM designation. At least half of a program’s coursework needs to be focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in order to qualify for the designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“Data and technology are at the forefront of business, and this designation will help SOM students become even more competitive for a wider range of job opportunities in cutting-edge fields,” Binghamton School of Management Dean Shelley Dionne said in a press release from the school.

An MBA degree has long been an avenue to better earnings and career advancement for students. But in recent years, student and employer demands have led programs across the country to adopt a STEM focus.

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) likewise received a federal STEM designation earlier this year, becoming the third within the University of North Carolina system to do so.

“The new STEM designation of our MBA programs is a reflection of the analytical focus of the curriculum,” Nivine Richie, UNCW Cameron School of Business associate dean for graduate, international, and executive programs, said in a release at the time.

STEM fields like data analytics, as well as other fields like climate change and sustainability, are increasingly in demand from MBA students.

Emory University also recently announced a STEM designation for its revamped bachelor of business administration (BBA) program. That comes after the school revamped its BBA curriculum.

“Our new curriculum equips BBA students for an increasingly data-driven world in which the outcomes of business decisions are multifaceted and far-reaching,” Andrea Hershatter, Emory Goizueta Business School’s senior associate dean of undergraduate education, said in a release at the time.

Top business schools have undertaken innovative new routes to meet STEM demand from students and employers. Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, for instance, announced in September a new institute to study the emerging field of complexity science.

Many schools have also adopted MBA concentrations in tech fields. In addition to more traditional MBA concentrations like finance and marketing, Binghamton’s School of Management offers concentrations in areas including supply chain management, business analytics, and management information systems.

Supply chain management is another fast-growing field, with an MBA concentration in that industry opening up a wide variety of analyst and logistician jobs for graduates. The University of Hartford earlier this year launched a supply chain management undergraduate degree, reflecting the high demand for experts in the field.

All of Binghamton’s MBA concentrations are STEM designated. Dionne underscored the importance of STEM in business education in the press release.

“The world of business continues to evolve and reflect an increasing need for data analytics and skills in effectively utilizing information to aid in strategic decision-making,” Dionne said.

“These STEM-designated MBA program options further demonstrate how SOM is leading the way with a state-of-the-art curriculum that makes our students even more prepared to meet those demands.”