What Are STEM Degrees?

STEM degrees are college programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. STEM degrees have seen increasing demand in jobs for the last decade. The term STEM is usually applied to loosely describe areas that directly relate to the hard sciences. Not only are there many career opportunities for STEM majors after college, but some are notoriously high paying. In fact, there are many reasons why you might want to consider a STEM career. Here is a breakdown of the different disciplines included within STEM.

What Makes a Good STEM Program?

The STEM industry is constantly evolving, meaning that a degree program in one of the fields of STEM must be adaptable. And, since the four fields are often interrelated, a cross-disciplinary approach will create the well-rounded graduates. Grand Canyon University’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology incorporates all of these points of interest and more to help students get an edge in a competitive industry.

What Is a STEM Degree?

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GCE Editorial Team

Published on Jul 8, 2025

STEM degrees are college programs in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The term STEM is usually applied to loosely describe areas that directly relate to the hard sciences.

STEM degrees are rapidly becoming some of the most sought-after fields in today’s job market. Whether you’re passionate about solving complex problems or driving innovation, there is a wide range of career paths in STEM fields for you to explore.

What Does STEM Stand For?

STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics. These are the STEM fields, or the hard science fields. At Grand Canyon University, we’re committed to teaching students in STEM degrees how to prepare for potential careers in these fields.

Our engineering, computer science and information technology programs are designed to help meet the needs of the up-and-coming STEM workforce. Our curriculum challenges and adapts according to rapidly changing new developments in STEM industries. Our STEM advisory board also helps ensure that our programs follow best practice standards, meet the needs of STEM disciplines and address the current STEM space.

In addition to degree programs and robust curricula, GCU offers various STEM opportunities, including scholarships, summer camps for hands-on experiences and challenging team events, such as the STEM Ultimate Showdown and AzHOSA competitions.

What Are Possible STEM Careers?

There is an incredibly diverse range of STEM careers you might consider pursuing. To narrow down your options a bit, first decide whether a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics might suit your interests best.

Science Career Options

Not all science fields belong in the STEM category. Social sciences, for example, is categorized along with the other humanities fields. Instead, the "S" in STEM typically applies to natural sciences and formal sciences, the former including chemistry, biology, physics and environmental science, while the latter focuses more on mathematics and statistics.

If you have a passion for discovering how the world around you works, you might consider pursuing a science career. These roles often involve research, analysis and the application of scientific principles to add to the body of knowledge in the field, solve problems or make life better for others.

Some examples of science careers include:

Forensic scientist: Forensic scientists examine evidence collected from crime scenes. They use advanced laboratory equipment to analyze blood, hair and other samples, and then they pass their findings along to criminal investigators.
Biomedical researcher: Interested in medicine, but not sure you want to work directly with patients? Consider the career path of biomedical scientists, who help patients indirectly by researching human diseases and investigating new treatment options.
Environmental scientist: These scientists study the environment and how humans interact with it. They collect and study samples and analyze the results to develop solutions for improving the health of the environment and, in doing so, public health for humans.
Laboratory technician: There are many types of labs, but in general, laboratory technicians are responsible for conducting tests, recording data and maintaining records. They may also ensure the equipment is kept clean, maintained and operational.
Pharmaceutical sales representative: If you’re interested in medical science but looking for a career other than being a doctor, consider pursuing a job as a pharmaceutical sales rep. These professionals are responsible for educating physicians about their company’s medications in order to influence prescription decisions.

Technology Career Options

The field of technology is quite diverse, comprised of organizations that are involved with electronics, software, information technology, computer hardware, and communications, to name a few. In short, the technology field centers on all of the machines, systems and tools that are intended to make tasks easier — whether it’s communicating with someone or marketing a business.

If you enjoy working with computers and other forms of technology, there are plenty of career pathways to consider in this STEM field. For example, you might consider becoming a cybersecurity analyst. They are responsible for monitoring an organization’s computer networks and devices for vulnerabilities, investigating security breaches and strengthening cybersecurity to prevent cyberattacks.

Other possible careers in the technology field include:

Software developer: Software developers use programming languages and tech tools to design and build software programs and systems. They are also responsible for testing software programs for bugs and fixing those bugs or developing upgrades.
IT project manager: IT project managers are essentially team leaders. They develop the scope and budget of an IT project, delegate tasks to team members and monitor its progress to ensure it gets done on time, within budget and to the client’s specifications.
Data scientist: Data scientists collect and analyze large volumes of data using statistical methods and machine learning tools to identify trends and forecast projections. They then communicate those insights to decision-makers at their organization.

Engineering Career Options

Engineering covers a broad range of specialized fields that relate to the designing and building of things such as machines, other technologies, buildings, roads and other structures. The engineering field is broad, with plenty of areas for specializations and sub-specializations.

To narrow down STEM careers within the engineering field, it’s helpful to learn about the different areas of specialization and consider how they might align with your strengths and interests. Some of the specialization options include:

Mechanical engineer: Focuses on the design and manufacture of mechanical systems, such as tools, engines and other machines
Civil engineer: Specializes in the design of infrastructure, including roads and bridges
Electrical engineer: Explores the design and implementation of electrical systems, electronics and power generation
Aerospace engineer: Focuses on designing aircraft and spacecraft
Robotics engineer: Designs, creates and operates robotic equipment
Software engineer: Blends together engineering and computer science principles to develop software solutions

Mathematics Career Options

The mathematics field focuses on numbers and calculation techniques. Subfields include arithmetic, the study of numbers and the properties of operations on them; geometry, concerned with the shape, size and position of figures; and algebra, the study of mathematical symbols.

Almost all STEM fields involve math to some degree. Applied mathematics brings these methods and concepts to other fields of STEM. Competency in mathematics is a core focus of most, if not all, areas of science, technology and engineering.

The various careers that emphasize mathematics tend to rely on quantitative skills for the interpretation of data and assessment of risk in order to guide strategic decision-making. Some careers in this area include:

Actuary: Actuaries use math and statistics in their daily jobs as they assess the financial costs of various risks for businesses and other organizations.
Statistician: A statistician compiles and analyzes statistical data using statistical methods and models in order to develop solutions to problems for organizations.
Operations research analyst: By applying mathematical methods, operations research analysts analyze data, develop models and provide recommendations, often with a focus on making an organization’s operations more efficient or cost-effective.
Financial analyst: As the job title suggests, a financial analyst compiles and analyzes financial data for the purpose of developing financial reports that provide insights to decision-makers.

Enroll in a STEM Program at GCU

The College of Engineering and Technology at GCU brings a cross-disciplinary approach to our STEM degrees in order to teach workplace-ready skills. With faith-integrated courses, our Christian university strives to nurture servant leadership in our students. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor about our STEM degree options.

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