Purdue to offer STEM MBA for Chicago tech leaders

The College of Technology is one of several partners with Krannert School of Management in offering a 16-month Weekend STEM MBA in Chicago. The first students in the program will start in 2015. The degree, which was officially announced today (Nov. 4) will be offered in Chicago to professionals working in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering or mathematics).

"Our MBA for STEM Professionals gives Purdue and Krannert a unique opportunity to combine our strengths in business education with Purdue's world-class programs in Engineering, Technology and Science, among others,” said Christopher Earley, Dean of Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. “Through an integrated curriculum and experiential learning, peer-to-peer learning and a STEM industry context, we will transform individuals having technical backgrounds and work experience into global business leaders.”

The targeted degree program combines business curriculum essentials with elective and immersion courses offered by Purdue’s Colleges of Technology, Science and Engineering. The curriculum would allow students to focus on specializations such as business analytics, integrated product design, or global supply chain management, or other customized specializations in areas such as biotech, pharmaceuticals or next-generation manufacturing.  

“This partnership capitalizes on the strengths of each of our Purdue participating colleges. We will all be part of the STEM solution serving the needs of our nation,” said Mitch Springer, executive director of the Center for Professional Studies for Technology and Applied Research (ProSTAR). “The audience for the STEM MBA is different than our traditional graduate student in the college. This will allow us to evolve courses that meld our faculty expertise with the needs of the tech economy leaders in Chicago.”

During his speech Nov. 4, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced his goal of doubling the number of tech jobs in Chicago over the next decade. “We will take talented people from around the city and give them crucial education to move forward,” Emanuel said. The STEM MBA will be an important part of that goal, he said.

 

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