As schools deliver more courses and degrees online, some of the best are helping women fit in education and training with their lifestyles.
According to a new study from SR Education Group, schools focused on building virtual communities have the best online options for female students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
The group gives over $250,000 need-based scholarships each year to college students, and has collected 11, 574 reviews from college graduates covering 1,316 schools.
To come up with the list of "Best Online Schools Supporting Women in STEM", the study looked at Distance Education, online learning, and e-learning at 76 schools.
The study's STEM-Friendly Scores were based on performance in several categories:
The list of 15 online schools with the strongest support to women in STEM includes the University of Denver, Colorado Women's College, Georgia Institute of Technology and the Center for Study of Women, Science, and Technology, Clemson University, and Worcester Polytechnic, which ranks No. 2 on the list of fifteen.
Top of the list is Columbia University's Women in Science at Columbia website, with online resources, books, and blogs for female students in the sciences.
Northeastern University ranks third. The university's Global Network platform hosts a "Women in STEM" Facebook Live event where a panel of women share tips on STEM certifications and graduate degrees that allow students to make connections with companies like General Electric and IBM.
Carnegie Mellon University, ranked No. 4 on the list, enrolls nearly 50% of women in STEM degrees. Students who enjoy online STEM learning can apply for the Software Engineering Masters Program at the Institute for Software Research.
At North Carolina A&T State University, distance learners have earned degrees and other professional IT certifications for more than a decade.
“As a longtime national leader in STEM education, our university is increasingly focused on delivering that same quality of academic experience in online settings,” said Interim Vice Provost for Research, Graduate Programs and Extended Learning, and Dean of the Graduate College Clay Gloster. “It’s gratifying to be recognized as excelling in supporting women in STEM disciplines. Given the national needs for employees in STEM professions, we’re interested in doing even more going forward.”
Case Western Reserve University's Leadership Lab for Women in STEM allows professionals flexibility and the opportunity to apply and reflect on their learning in between sessions.
The University of Southern California's online STEM opportunities happen through USC Rossier Online. This platform offers online connections with professors, programs, classes, and certifications that are directed toward English and Spanish speaking students looking to further their STEM education.
University of Michigan - Dearborn campus allows for online learning to help with STEM development through bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees.
The George Washington University online opportunities offer certificates from the School of Engineering and Applied Science, like one for Greenhouse Gas Management.
E-Learning is vital to Villanova University's STEM education because the university believes online education limits instructional gaps. Over the last decade, Villanova has seen 10% more female students enrolling in the College of Engineering.
Click here for more information on the best colleges offering the strongest support to women in STEM.
