UOP International Announces New STEM Graduate Degrees

According to Glassdoor, data scientist, software engineer, and finance manager are among the Top 50 most in-demand jobs in the US for 2021. And University of the Pacific is uniquely poised to fill the demand gap and help international students land their dream job, thanks to three new STEM-designated graduate degrees: the Master’s in Computer Science, Master’s in Business Analytics, and Master’s in Finance. 

Why Choose UOP International for Your Graduate Studies?

Located just 90 minutes east of San Francisco, University of the Pacific is a premier choice for international students because of its proximity and access to top employers in Silicon Valley, the Bay Area, and Sacramento. 

Set on an idyllic college campus in one of the most diverse cities in America, Pacific is also close to national parks and dramatic coastline vistas. The state of California — home to major agriculture firms, Hollywood entertainment studios, and tech companies like Google and Facebook — is the fifth-largest economy in the world.

Claudia, a native of Indonesia, chose Pacific for “smaller” reasons. “It presents students with a beautiful campus, friendly faculty, and many opportunities for students to express themselves,” she says. “Another incentive is the small class sizes that allow for more interaction with the professors on campus. I have a strong relationship with most of my professors, and this has made it a lot easier to build many connections through networking.”

Pacific by the Numbers

A few rankings and stats include:

• Top 100 National Universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2021)

• Top 150 National Universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)

• #60 Best Engineering Program (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)

• 13% international representation among graduate-level students

• #1 Most Diverse City in the US (Stockton, U.S. News & World Report, 2020)

• 14:1 student-to-professor ratio

Top employers of Pacific business and engineering graduates include:

• Amazon

• Bloomberg

• Boeing

• Clorox

• Deloitte

• Google

• KPMG

• Paypal

• PwC

• Tesla

STEM-designated Degrees = OPT Opportunities

STEM — which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — is a catch-all term to describe degrees or jobs in these four major innovation disciplines. Beyond giving you access to the best paying and most in-demand jobs right now, a STEM-designated degree also means you qualify for up to 36 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the US after you graduate. 

Typically, international students on a F-1 visa can apply to stay in the US to earn 12 months of OPT experience; the STEM degree designation gives you access to an additional 24 months of OPT work experience, or 36 months total. That is a huge advantage for those starting out in STEM careers. 

How does OPT work in the USA? >>

Master of Science, Business Analytics

If you like numbers, then you probably like to be first. Just think — you could be among the debut class of UOP International’s Master of Science, Business Analytics (MSBA) program. Fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), Pacific’s MS in Business Analytics degree is a campus-based program offered through the Eberhardt School of Business. 

As a Pacific graduate student, you will learn from top-rated faculty and excel at courses in analytics, data science, and project management — learning how to turn data into program solutions and revenue. 

“Pacific’s STEM-desinated MSBA responds to the demand for skilled hires at the graduate level. Combining business acumen and analysis, our program gives current and future managers advanced skills and knowledge in the growing field of business analytics,” says Dr. Jennifer Schnetter, managing director for UOP International.

“The curriculum is aligned with best-in-class programs and the IIBA Certification in business data analytics,” Schnetter continues. “Pacific also offers personalized professional development and career networking targeted to Fortune 500 employers.” 

With this highly anticipated STEM business degree program, you will:

• Develop key analytics skills — UOP International’s rigorous business analytics curriculum develops sought-after skills in mathematics, statistics, data mining, programming, and advanced software and technology.

• Gain real-world working experience — You will have the opportunity to obtain an internship, train under industry experts, and grow your professional network. Sample internship experience includes gathering, mining, translating, and analyzing raw data, then converting data into actionable and ethical business solutions.

• Work toward a lucrative career — According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment growth for business analytics fields is projected to increase from 11% to 25% between 2019 and 2029. As entry-level business analysts, students can expect starting salaries ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 USD. With more work experience or an advanced degree, salaries can reach $100,000 USD.

The business school has a lot of strong connections with different companies in Silicon Valley and across California. You get exposed to work and different projects, and you get to know a lot of people.” — Asef, Afghanistan, Business Administration

MSBA in Detail

Master of Science in Computer Science 

“There are over 500,000 computer science job listings in California alone. In the US, and globally, there is a high demand for computer scientists and not enough skilled and capable graduates to take up these roles,” says Schnetter. “Computer science demand in California is higher than any other state in the US, and Northern California is home to over 50 Fortune 500 companies in Silicon Valley and the San Francisco Bay Area. Thanks to our location, we are best suited to offer leading graduates the opportunity to work in these world-renowned tech and innovation hubs.” 

The Master of Science in Computer Science (MSCS) degree program is led by Pacific’s School of Engineering and Computer Science, which is ranked in the top 20% non-doctoral Engineering and Computer Science programs in the US. 

The fully accredited, campus-based program is designed for STEM students seeking advanced coursework in a rigorous, hands-on learning environment.

Computer science graduates will be prepared for high-salary careers in machine learning, data science, virtual reality, and software development.

With a MS in Computer Science from the University of the Pacific, you will:

• Learn a specialization — Choose from three niche concentrations like graphics and simulation, networking and computer security, or software development.

• Develop sought-after core skills — You will learn how to develop software and manage complex technological systems in growing sectors such as cybersecurity, data mining, and video game development.

• Look forward to job stability and a high starting salary — Computer science graduates have a median annual wage in the US of $91,250 (U.S. Bureau of Labor, May 2020). Software development job growth is expected to grow by 22% from 2019–2029.

MSCS in Detail

Watch this video about Pacific’s MS in Computer Science program >>

Master of Science in Finance

“Our finance curriculum is aligned with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) certification requirements, a prestigious professional title currently awarded only to approximately 135,000 people worldwide,” says Schnetter. “We are also one of only 200 business schools in the world that offers a Student Investment Fund.” All MS Finance students take a credited course to work with the Eberhardt Student Investment Fund (SIF), a $4 million fund managed by a student team. 

As part of the SIF investment course, you conduct research and evaluations, write reports, and make real-life recommendations on how to invest the fund’s money. To date, SIF has returned $1,000,000 to the university to re-invest in academic programs, campus improvements, and scholarships. 

Offered through the Eberhardt School of Business, UOP International’s MS in Finance is an AACSB-accredited program designed to develop competitive skills such as financial analysis, communication, professional ethics, and applied research. 

As a finance candidate at Pacific, you will:

• Learn how to effectively manage finances — Rigorous coursework focuses on research, evaluation, report preparation, and risk management.

• Work with real investment funds — You will work on Pacific’s $4 million student-run investment fund, giving you practical experience managing large equity portfolios while in school.

• Gain internship experience — Internships are required for finance students, giving you resume-building experience, networking opportunities, and access to industry leaders and mentors.

• Access learning flexibility — UOP International’s MS in Finance is offered in person and online through the unique Hyflex model. 

• Become a part of an in-demand field — According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for a financial analyst role in 2019 was $81,590 USD, and demand for finance professionals is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations between 2019 and 2029. According to the CFA Institute, the average pay for portfolio managers is $126,000.

MS Finance in Detail

UOP International Offers Opportunities and Outcome Success

A Northern California location, higher starting salaries, top-rated professors, rigorous curriculum, access to practical training  — there’s a reason the University of the Pacific is a top choice among international graduate students. 

“With the introduction of these three new degree offerings, Pacific furthers its commitment to students seeking in-demand graduate study in growth sectors like analytics, computer science and finance,” Schnetter says. “We are excited to expand our portfolio, representing these globally important and influential fields.” 

Discover graduate programs for international students at University of the Pacific >