New York's Simon Business School Receives STEM Designation for its EMBA and Part-Time MBA Programs

A growing number of business schools in the United States are offering “STEM designated” MBA programs to give students the skills they need for an age of digitization and robotics. When schools prove that half their course material is based on the ‘STEM’ fields—science, technology, engineering and math—they earn the status. 

Not long ago, an MBA degree was regarded by many people as a passport to a lucrative professional job in a field such as investment banking or strategy consulting. While many students still pursue these career paths, a growing portion of them are looking for purpose as well as profit in their jobs.  In fact, making a positive social or environmental impact has overtaken pay and other perks as the top reasons MBA students pursue their career, according to an often-cited survey by Bain & Company, which, ironically, is a consultancy firm.  Curriculum changes are underway as business schools respond to the corporate social responsibility (CSR) revolution. Schools have been criticized for their apparent role in the global financial crisis and for focusing too heavily on maximizing shareholder return. Today many top MBA programs include an impact-related module, such as impact investing or social entrepreneurship.  The career opportunities in this field have flourished. CSR was previously something many companies merely paid lip service to, but they are making “impact” a fundamental piece of their business plans. There are now 2,655 certified “B Corporations”, or firms that verify their high social and environmental performance, across 150 industries and 60 countries, including the ice cream maker Ben & Jerry’s and the social media company Hootsuite.  Picking the right program, however, is crucial. So we’ve ranked the best MBAs for social or environmental impact, below. 

With the recent wave of ground-breaking generative artificial intelligence launches, pursuing of an MBA program tailored to the demands of artificial intelligence and technology management has arguably never been more compelling. These programs offer a strategic pathway for students seeking to understand, shape, and thrive in the dynamic world of AI and technology.

From Armani to Versace and Ralph Lauren, luxury brands accounted for over $300 billion in 2021 alone, by some estimates. And with surging demand from the emerging middle classes in countries like India and China, the industry is poised for more growth. An MBA in Luxury Brand Management can lead to a variety of jobs in this sector, including roles like marketing managers, business development consultants, and brand managers. Some schools offer specialized MBA programs in Luxury, as well as related fields like Fashion or Retail. Many students interested in breaking into the luxury sector gravitate to hubs like Paris or Milan, where many of the top firms are based; others go to New York City or London to be in the heart of the action. Being near to luxury firms can help with networking opportunities; some students also opt to pursue MBA internships in luxury firms, for hands-on experience in the sector. See a list of the Top 10 MBAs for Luxury below.