Beginning this semester, the Kelley School of Business will give STEM certifications to those graduating with a Masters of Business Administration in accounting, business analytics, finance, marketing or supply chain and operations, according to an IU press release.
MBAs with majors in those areas of study will include the science, technology, engineering and math certification, according to the release.
A growing number of companies are requiring MBAs to have an understanding of STEM disciplines, according to the business school’s Graduate Career Services office. Since 1990, employment in STEM occupations has grown 80% and STEM jobsoutpace overall job growth in the United States, according to a 2018 Pew Research Center report.
"This designation for our program enables us to more accurately reflect the quantitative nature of our curriculum today and demonstrates how Kelley always adjusts to meet the needs of students, which it frequently has done over its 100-year history," Idalene Kesner, dean of the business school, said in the release.
"The curriculum at Kelley has evolved to ensure that our students are ready for digitization, artificial intelligence, robotics and data analytics required in 21st-century jobs," Ash Soni, executive associate dean for academic programs, said in the release. "Our employers appreciate that the STEM designation makes it easier for them to recruit the students who have completed this coursework and are the most prepared to perform in these roles."
In 2019, the business school’s MBA program was ranked 36th in the world and 27th in the U.S. by the Economist.
"More than ever, we're producing graduates who can focus on driving data-driven business decisions, solutions and operational insights," Kyle Cattani, MBA program chair, said in the release. "We believe this reflects what we do well."
