A STEM degree stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Many professionals with STEM degrees and careers enjoy the ability to work in a variety of industries.
But which jobs and degrees qualify as STEM exactly? In this post, we’ll share more information about popular STEM field degrees, the top STEM jobs, and flexible, online University of Wisconsin degrees that are suited for adults who want to pursue STEM careers.
STEM Degree Data
The National Science Foundation (NSF) publishes an interactive STEM Education Resource website that offers recent data and topics for exploration on STEM education and careers in the U.S. The data is sourced from the National Science Board’s Science and Engineering Indicators report which is delivered to the President and Congress every two years.
In addition to the website, the NSF also provides the full National Science Board report, which showcases the growing number of STEM degrees, by field, that are awarded annually.
Here are the most popular STEM field bachelor’s degrees earned in the last several years:
- Social Sciences
- Biological & Agricultural Sciences
- Psychology
- Engineering
- Computer Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Mathematics and Statistics
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Top STEM Jobs
The U.S. News & World Report published “The 25 Best STEM Jobs for 2022”. Here are the top jobs, grouped by type. All the positions made the list due to low unemployment and high median salary and job growth.
1. Information Security Analyst
2. Nurse Practitioner
3. Physician Assistant
4. Medical and Health Services Manager
5. Software Developer
6. Data Scientist
7. Statistician
8. IT Manager
Flexible, Online UW STEM Degrees
STEM professionals are very much needed in Wisconsin and throughout the nation. University of Wisconsin Extended Campus offers several online programs, designed to help busy adults earn college degrees in promising STEM fields.
Here are some examples.
Data science and business analysis degree. These days, some statisticians and mathematicians learn programming and data management skills in order to derive meaning from large quantities of unharnessed data. These individuals are called data scientists. The UW Master of Science in Data Science program teaches professionals the skills they need to thrive as data scientists, business analysts, and more.
Computer science degree. The UW Bachelor of Science in Applied Computing is a degree completion program that prepares students for a variety of positions in IT, including the IT positions on U.S. News’s list of best STEM jobs.
IT management degree. The UW Master of Science in IT Management is a graduate-level program that prepares students of diverse educational and occupational backgrounds who are seeking out IT leadership roles. Graduates of the program are focused on the future of technology for their organizations.
Cybersecurity degree. The UW Master of Science in Cybersecurity is a graduate-level program that offers four distinct tracks of cybersecurity-focused study: digital forensics, cyber response, governance & leadership, and security architecture. Graduates of the program are prepared to prevent, resolve, and protect their organizations from ever-increasing cybersecurity threats.
Healthcare management degrees. University of Wisconsin offers two online programs that prepare students for healthcare management. The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration provides the foundational skills needed to make high-level, strategic decisions in any healthcare organization. The Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management and Technology is a degree completion program that teaches the management and technology skills needed to lead health information departments.
What’s Next?
Need help deciding on a STEM degree program? A UW enrollment adviser can help. Contact one by emailing learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu or calling 608-800-6762.