Which STEM Programs Can Liberal Arts Students Apply to in the US? A Collection of Quantitative Humanities and Social Science Master's with Admission Offers from Elite Universities

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Students from humanities backgrounds often shy away from STEM programs, but in fact many prestigious US universities have introduced STEM-designated humanities and social science programs in their communication, education, business, and psychology schools. These programs not only preserve the application advantages of liberal arts students but also offer significant benefits such as higher starting salaries, more job opportunities, longer OPT internship periods, and higher H1B visa lottery chances, making them a popular choice for enhancing career competitiveness. CheersYou(清柚教育) has specifically highlighted this trend to help humanities students break down disciplinary barriers and achieve dual goals of high-paying employment and immigration planning through quantitative skills training. This article focuses on programs at Columbia University, University of Chicago, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of Pennsylvania, including Columbia's QMSS and MPA Data Analytics track, and UChicago's MPP, etc. These courses emphasize critical thinking and data analysis skills, are inclusive of applicants' backgrounds, and come with real admission offer examples for reference. We hope this collection provides clear direction for parents and students planning to study abroad. For more personalized questions, feel free to contact CheersYou(清柚教育) for professional guidance.

STEM programs refer to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, which seem exclusively for science and engineering students. However, in recent years, an increasing number of US universities have added some programs from their communication, education, business, and psychology schools to the STEM-designated list. Therefore, liberal arts students can also apply for STEM programs. What's more, STEM programs offer high starting salaries, abundant job opportunities, extended OPT periods, and higher H1B lottery chances, making them a popular choice for many international students in the US. Today, we will summarize several humanities and social science programs offered by top US universities—Columbia University (CU), University of Chicago (UChicago), Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), and University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)—along with successful admission offer examples. If you have other questions, feel free to contact a CheersYou(清柚教育) consultant directly!

 

 

1. Columbia University

 

Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences (QMSS)

 

Columbia's Quantitative Methods in Social Sciences (QMSS) program is an innovative, flexible, interdisciplinary course of study focusing on quantitative research techniques and strategies. QMSS provides students with rigorous training in quantitative research, with an emphasis on written and oral communication about research techniques and findings applicable to problems.

 

 

Official Website Link:

https://qmss.columbia.edu/

 

Admission Offer Example

 

 

MPA Data Analytics & Quantitative Analysis (MPA-DAQA)

 

Columbia's MPA Data Analytics & Quantitative Analysis (DAQA) track offers opportunities to perform advanced work in computing, data analytics, econometrics, and quantitative analysis and apply these techniques to a wide range of policy and management issues. When combined with the International Finance and Economic Policy concentration or the Energy and Environment concentration, it constitutes a STEM-designated program.

 

 

Official Website Link:

https://www.sipa.columbia.edu/sipa-education/masters-programs/master-public-administration

 

Admission Offer Example

 

 

2. University of Chicago (UChicago)

 

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

 

UChicago's MPP program is a two-year curriculum that cultivates critical thinking and data analysis skills in its core courses. Students engage face-to-face with professionals in the field and use the latest scientific and technological tools to analyze problems and design feasible solutions. Career paths are often in the consulting industry. The program has few prerequisites regarding an applicant's background and can enhance quantitative skills, making it a popular target for interdisciplinary applicants.

 

 

Official Website Link:

https://harris.uchicago.edu/admissions

 

 

Admission Offer Example

 

 

3. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)

 

MS in Public Policy & Management: Data Analytics (MSPPM-DA)

 

Carnegie Mellon's MSPPM-DA program teaches how to harness the power of data and analytics to transform organizations serving the public interest. In addition to world-renowned faculty with deep expertise in analytics, the program features several analytics-driven research institutes where students can participate in groundbreaking data projects during their studies.

 

 

Official Website Link:

https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/programs/public-policy-management-master/data-analytics

 

Admission Offer Example

 

 

4. University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

 

Master of Science in Social Policy + Data Analytics (MSSP-DA)

 

UPenn's MSSP-DA is a STEM-designated degree that enables students to leverage social policy and data analytics to address economic, educational, and health-related challenges. Throughout the curriculum, students learn to connect data analytics materials with various theories and methods in social policy analysis.

 

 

Official Website Link:

https://www.sp2.upenn.edu/program/master-of-science-in-social-policy/

 

Admission Offer Example

 

 

These are some STEM programs that liberal arts students can choose for graduate study in the US. For more questions about studying abroad and applying for graduate programs, you can add the contact information of the CheersYou(清柚教育) consultant below for detailed information.