Non-Traditional STEM-Designated Degrees for International Students - 8B Education Investments (2024)

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

1. Master of Accountancy and Data Analytics at Arizona State University
2. Master of Accountancy at Colorado State University
3. Master of Science in Professional Accounting at Lamar University
4. Master of Science in Accounting at Michigan State University
5. Master of Accounting at North Carolina State University
6. Master of Accounting at Ohio State University
7. Master of Accounting at Rice University
8. Master of Science in Accounting and Analytics (MSAA) at Seattle University
9. Master’s in Professional Accounting at Syracuse University
10. Master of Accountancy at George Washington University
11. Master of Accounting at Tulane University
12. Master of Science in Accounting at the University of Arizona
13. Master of Science in accountancy at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
14. Master of Accounting at University of Miami
15. Master of Accounting at University of Michigan at the University of Northern Iowa
16. Accounting and Business Analytics MS at the University of Pittsburgh
17. Master of Accounting at the University of South California
18. Master of Science in Accounting at the University of Virginia
19. Master of Accounting at Washington University in St. Louis
20. Master of Accounting (MAcc) at William and Mary University
21. Master of Accounting at Iowa State University
22. Master’s in Accounting Analytics (MAA) at Pennsylvania State University

STEM-Designated Finance programs

1. Master of Science in Finance (MS-FIN) at Arizona State University
2. MS in Finance at Claremont Graduate University
3. Master of Science in Applied Finance at Pepperdine University
4. Master of Finance (MFIN) at the University of California – Irvine
5. Master of Financial Engineering at University of California – Los Angeles
6. Master of Finance at the University of California – Riverside
7. Master of Science in Finance Program (MSF) at University of San Diego
8. Master of Science in Financial Analysis, at the University of San Francisco
9. Master’s in Finance at University of the Pacific
10. Master of Science in Finance at Fairfield University
11. Master of Science in Finance at the University of Miami
12. Master of Analytical Finance at Emory University
13. Master of Science in Finance at DePaul University
14. 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.

1. Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at Illinois State University
2. Marketing Insights and Analytics at Oregon State University
3. MS Digital Marketing Analytics at Montclair State University
4. Master of Science in Marketing at John Hopkins University
5. MS in Marketing Analytics at University of Rochester
6. Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at the University of Maryland
7. Master’s in Marketing Analytics at Clark University
8. Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Strategy at Fairfield University
9. Marketing Science and Business Analytics at the University of Pittsburgh
10. MS Marketing Analytics (MSMA) at California State University
11. Master of Science in Marketing Analytics and Insights at Wright State University
12. MS in Marketing Analytics at Illinois Tech
13. MS Marketing Analytics at Pace University in New York
14. Bachelor of Science in Marketing Analytics (BSBA) at Liberty University
15. Master of Marketing Analysis DePaul University
16. Master of Science in Marketing at University of Texas at Dallas
17. MS in Marketing Science at Columbia University
18. Master of Science in Marketing Analytics at Pacific Lutheran University
19. Master of Science in Marketing at University of Texas at Austin
20. Master’s in Business Analytics (MSBA) at Cornell University
21. Master of Science in Business Analytics at the University of Illinois at Chicago
22. 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:

1. Arizona State University MBA
2. University of Arizona MBA Technology Leadership Program
3. Chapman University MBA
4. Stanford University MBA
5. University of California – Berkeley Full-time MBA
6. University of California – Irvine Full-Time Master of Business Administration (FTMBA)
7. University of California – Los Angeles Full-time, fully-employed, and executive MBA programs
8. University of California – Riverside General and Professional MBAs
9. University of California – San Francisco Full-time MBA Programs
10. University of San Francisco Full-time MBA
11. University of Connecticut Full-time MBA
12. Yale University MBA
13. American University MBA
14. George Washington University Global and Accelerated MBAs
15. University of Delaware MBA in business analytics
16. University of Miami Full-time MBA
17. Emory University MBA Business Analysis
18. Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) – Full-time and Evening MBA
19. University of Georgia One-Year STEM MBA
20. Illinois Institute of Technology Business Analytics (M.B.A.)
21. Hult International Business School Global One-Year MBA
22. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor Full-time MBA
23. University of Minnesota – Twin Cities MBA in Management Science
24. Saint Louis University-Main Campus One-Year MBA
25. Stevens Institute of Technology Analytics MBA
26. 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:

1. Master of Science in Media Innovation and Data Communication at Northeastern University
2. Master of Science in Communication Data Science at the University of Southern California
3. PhD in Emerging Technology and Media Art Practice at the University of Colorado at Boulder
4. Masters of Journalism at University of California Berkeley
5. Master of Arts in Journalism & Media Production at Sacred Heart University
6. Master of Science in Digital Social Media at the University of Southern California Annenberg
7. BS in Digital Communication and Media at Florida International University
8. Digital Media Innovation at Texas State University
9. The Graduate Program in the Department of Communication at University of California Davis
10. 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.