STEM MBA’s Are the Next Big Thing to Hit Business Schools

Sponsored by Worcester Polytechnic Institute

In recent years, the technology and business landscapes have evolved to create groundbreaking developments, from start-ups in the life sciences and bioengineering, to robotics companies pioneering AI to organizations seeking renewable energy resources.

All of this change in the marketplace has created a need for professionals who have the technological skills and business expertise to lead. Hence, the rise of the STEM MBA: a hybrid degree which prepares leaders for the growing tech/business employment gap.

If you’re looking to go into a tech field such as data science, the Internet of Things (IoT), or even environmental engineering, you may want to consider studying an MBA specifically geared toward STEM professionals. (But, don’t get it confused with a STEM-designated graduate program. That is another option that offers extra time for international students to spend in the US after completing their degree. The aim for those programs is to strengthen the US STEM workforce.)

We spoke with those in the know at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts in the US to find out more about their newly revised MBA for STEM professionals and their STEM-designated graduate programs. They helped us understand what to expect from a traditionally tech university offering management programs. We also learned a bit about how modern students use “blended” learning—programs that combine both in-class and online learning—to earn a degree while balancing other commitments like work and family. 

Sandy Wellinghoff is the Director of Blended Learning for the Foisie Business School at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She also directs the school’s MBA program, so we asked her what the motivation was for re-designing the MBA program for STEM professionals.

She told us: “We decided to redesign our MBA more intentionally to build on WPI’s strengths and focus on bringing value to STEM professionals as their managerial responsibilities increase within their careers.

“The MBA market is crowded and highly competitive, especially in the north-east [of the US]. There are also plenty of life sciences, robotics, and tech companies thriving, so we wanted to both differentiate our program from the others and offer a specialized program with the WPI MBA.”

Although the STEM MBA is still a fairly new concept to the world of education, it’s getting a lot of attention from STEM professionals interested in levelling up their career and moving into management.

When asked exactly how the curriculum integrates STEM with business, Sandy said: “We focus more on case studies that incorporate STEM companies or are more technology focused, and we also have students work on projects that are tech focused and bring in guest speakers from STEM industries.”

She also added: “We’re able to better relate and speak to a STEM audience in order to bridge the technical and business skills of STEM professionals. Our students benefit from being in classes with like-minded individuals and are taught by faculty from a variety of STEM industries who best understand where our students are coming from and what they need to be successful leaders.”

Alumnus Allison DiPietro, who studied the STEM MBA in 2016, and current student Breanna Boyden also talked to us about their experience.

Allison: Obviously one of the most important aspects of an MBA is the network you develop and being a woman in tech meant I didn't know a lot of people with backgrounds similar to mine. Our group of 20 or so students in the cohort were so diverse, but all STEM professionals are extremely driven.

Being surrounded by people that are just as passionate about something as you is really motivating, and that instant support network was a huge benefit. 

In terms of the classes, I really enjoyed that I was exposed to some things I would never seek to learn on my own. The curriculum is so well-rounded.