Best Online Colleges Supporting Women in STEM

Located in Stanford, California, Stanford University offers graduate students degree options in the fields of Computer Science, Engineering, Biomedical Informatics, and Aeronautics and Astronautics, all of which can be earned online. All of the online classes are administered by the Office of the Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning. Women at Stanford are very involved in the STEM programs, and the school hosts its own Women in STEM symposiums, mentoring programs, and panels, which are all geared toward helping female students in STEM fields. There are both undergraduate and graduate women in STEM student organizations to join, depending on a student’s major and goals.

Columbia University in the City of New York has STEM degrees that can be completed online through the Columbia Video Network, which is part of the School of Engineering & Applied Science. These degrees range from Computer Science or Applied Mathematics to Biomedical, Civil, and Electrical Engineering. The Women in Science at Columbia (WISC) program is designed to support and advance women in STEM fields at Columbia University. WISC encourages women to enter and stay in the STEM fields through events like STEM socials and fellowship workshops.

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, has a well-established online school for degrees in STEM fields, especially engineering. Prospective online STEM students can choose between nearly 40 different engineering degrees, plus options in Computer Science. The USC Women in Science & Engineering (WiSE) program was created to help increase the success and representation of women in STEM degrees at USC. Women at USC will enjoy increased success in their field through weekly events that range from luncheons to research opportunities.

The University of Texas at El Paso offers several online programs in STEM fields, such as an online Master of Science in Systems Engineering and several online bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing. The university's Women in Engineering (WIN) program helps support women in engineering and increase the number of women who choose to earn degrees in engineering. WIN also works closely with Women Engineers in Professional Practice (WEPP), another university organization, that helps women develop the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve meaningful and fruitful careers in engineering. These programs have prominent corporate partners and sponsors, including Boeing and General Motors.

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is launching its fully online degrees in the fall of 2019. Students can choose between a Master of Applied Data Science or a Master of Public Health in Population and Health Sciences. The University of Michigan is home to the Women in STEM initiative, which covers science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine. The Athena SWAN Charter, which was started in 2005, helps promote the advancement of women in STEM fields at the university. There is also the Women in Science, Engineering and Technology program, which is a network for female students that creates events like workshops, industry site visits, and networking events.

The University of Illinois Urbana at Urbana-Champaign has an expansive catalog of STEM-related, online degrees for its students. Computer Science, Bioengineering, and Mechanical Engineering are just a few examples of degrees that can be earned entirely online. The University of Illinois helps women in STEM programs with their Women in Math, Science, and Engineering group (WIMSE). WIMSE is a social and academic network that helps women find academic success at the university. This group even offers housing so women in STEM programs can choose to live together.

Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, has more than a dozen STEM-related degrees that students can complete entirely online. They offer Civil, Electrical, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering along with Computer Science degrees. Female students that attend Johns Hopkins are instantly put on the path to success due to their rigorous advising program and cross-disciplinary learning. Women in STEM programs at Johns Hopkins have helped create numerous scientific advancements like blood-clotting gel and aerospace initiatives. The Women’s Pre-Health Leadership Society, which aims to help future physicians and scientists, provides mentorship from other students and pre-professionals, and networking opportunities with respected health care professionals.

Students who wish to earn a STEM degree while attending college online can do so at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. Bachelor of Science degrees can be earned in fields like Environmental Health & Safety, Electronics Technology, and Information Technology. Master's degrees are available in Agricultural Education, Technology Education, and Information Technology. NC A&T is highly supportive of women in STEM. The college has an extensive online support system for female students pursing STEM majors as well as a large percentage of women graduating in these fields.

Located in Iowa City, Iowa, the University of Iowa is an excellent institution for students seeking to earn an online STEM degree. Students can receive an undergraduate degree in either Radiation Science or Nursing. Graduate students can earn a master's degree in Nursing or Educational Measurement and Statistics, and there is also a doctoral degree in nursing available. The Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program at the university is dedicated to expanding and improving both the professional and educational opportunities for women in STEM. WiSE has peer mentoring, outreach events, and their own living area.

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, has online STEM degrees in the fields of Environmental Management, Health Informatics, and Nursing Education. These master's degrees can be completed in four semesters over two years while working a full-time job. The Women in Science and Engineering group at Duke has a long history - it originated in 1989 and was created to increase the number of women in STEM and offer academic support. WiSE is the liaison between the students and administration where they can collaborate on ideas and share experiences.

Saint Louis University's main campus in St. Louis, Missouri, allows students to complete several different STEM degrees entirely online. Undergraduates can study Aviation Management, Computer Information Systems, Security & Strategic Intelligence, and more. There are also master's degrees available, such as a Master of Public Health, several master's degrees in nursing, and more. Women in STEM at the university can join the Women in Medicine and Science (WIMS) group. The goal of WIMS is to advance the personal and professional success of women at the university.

Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, offers many online STEM degrees to distance learners who want to complete a degree entirely online. TTU has over 15 online master's degrees in fields such as Plant and Soil Science, various engineering disciplines, and Agricultural Education. Students who wish to further their education can also earn a doctoral degree online from TTU. Women in STEM can become involved in the STEM CORE, which was formed to spread the impact of STEM education beyond the reaches of TTU.

Students who attend Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have the opportunity to complete a STEM-related bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree online. A Bachelor of Science in Computing and Security Technology, a Master of Science in Drug Discovery and Development, and a Doctor of Health Science are just some of the STEM degrees that can be completed online at Drexel. Women in STEM at the university can get in on the ground floor of a new partnership between the group TechGirlz and Drexel’s College of Business that is designed to expand the interest in STEM through workshops and camps.

Case Western Reserve University supports women in STEM in a variety of ways. Its Women in STEM pre-collegiate summer program allows female high-school students to experience the life of a college-level STEM student and consider whether a future in STEM might be right for them. Students who are already enrolled can take advantage of the Women in Science and Engineering Roundtable (WISER) program. This program is put on by the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women and exists to provide mentorship to women hoping to find a career in the fields of science, technology, engineering, math, or medicine.

The STEM program at Rutgers University in Brunswick, New Jersey, is managed by the Office of STEM Education, which includes the Cyberlearning Innovation and Research Center, the STEM Transformations using Research-based Instructional practices, Assessment, and Dissemination coalition, and the Math and Science Learning Center. These programs are intended to provide technological innovations for students while deepening STEM outreach in the community. Women in STEM at Rutgers are encouraged by the Douglass Project, which provides an undergraduate research program, graduate mentors, living communities, and a community service corps specifically for women in these fields. For those who wish to pursue their STEM degree online, Rutgers offers a Master of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering, which offers small class sizes and world-renowned faculty.

Women in STEM will find The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., a supportive place to study, as the college does everything it can to help females excel in these fields. For example, the School of Engineering and Applied Science hosts a Women in STEM Breakfast at the beginning of the year to encourage freshmen students. There is also a Women’s Leadership Program, which has a specific focus on Science, Health, and Medicine. Students will get a chance to experience an in-depth study of scientific applications paired with leadership coaching. For students interested in online STEM study, there are a number of degrees available, including certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in engineering, physical sciences, and medicine and health sciences.

Students seeking an online degree in STEM from the University of Pittsburgh's main campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have numerous options, particularly in the field of nursing. There are online nursing degrees offered at every level, from certificate to doctoral. There is also an online master's degree offered in Library and Information Science. Women in STEM who attend Pitt can join the Society of Women Engineers (PittSWE), which provides support and outreach events for women looking to excel professionally. The organization also aspires to reach young girls to encourage them to enter STEM fields.

Women in STEM who attend the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, can join the Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) program. This organization offers academic services, a pre-professional program, mentorship, and first-year summer experiences specifically tailored to women. The university also hosts an annual Women in Science Engineering Conference to help empower and educate both students and professors. Both men and women seeking STEM degrees can complete their master’s online in fields like aerospace engineering, applied mathematics, and pharmaceutical bioengineering. Most online degrees take one to three years to complete and offer flexible class times.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville offers options for students seeking online STEM degrees at the the master’s or doctoral levels. Students can choose from degrees offered by either the College of Arts and Sciences or the Tickle College of Engineering. All courses provide the same level of academic rigor as on-campus programs, so students will receive the same education as their on-campus peers. UT Knoxville also provides women in STEM with all the opportunities they need to succeed, including an annual Women in STEM Research Symposium that gives female researchers the chance to present their work.

Ohio State University's main campus in Columbus, Ohio, has several groups for women in STEM. One is the Women in Math and Science Club, which helps unite women with similar interests while striving to eliminate barriers faced by women in the field. There is also a Women in Engineering Learning Community where female students can live with other engineering majors to improve their camaraderie. For students seeking online degree programs, OSU offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Engineering, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, and the College of Dentistry. All online classes offer in-state tuition rates and world-class faculty.

New Jersey Institute of Technology's online STEM programs include master's degrees in Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Power and Energy Systems, Applied Science, and more. The school's chapter of Society of Women Engineers (SWE) serves to help female engineering students develop their professional network and skills while simultaneously promoting the value of gender diversity in the STEM workforce. Events put on by SWE include social events like dances and volleyball games as well as professional events like conferences, forums and more.

Students seeking an online STEM degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, will have just a few opportunities, as the school decided to stop taking applications for its distance learning program in 2017. However, the Master of Science in Information Technology is still available online and provides an asynchronous, part-time learning environment. CMU is extremely dedicated to helping women in STEM succeed thanks to programs like Women@SCS, a faculty-led group that helps women in computer science make deeper connections at school.

There are a number of STEM degrees that students at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, can earn completely online, including a Master’s in Biological Chemical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Molecular Biology. The school uses two learning platforms for all its online programs: Classroom LIVE, to give students the chance to interact in real-time with a live classroom, and Classroom Online, which offers asynchronous studies for more flexible learning. Lehigh University provides women in STEM the chance to join the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) group, which provides females with a friendly atmosphere for exploring their passions. The organization hosts monthly luncheons, career and leadership development workshops, and an academic symposium to help women in STEM succeed.

Idaho's Boise State University offers a rigorous and comprehensive online learning platform with choices in numerous STEM fields. Students can choose from undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Health Sciences. Learning online is convenient and most students qualify for in-state tuition rates without added fees. Both minorities and women in STEM will appreciate the Institute for STEM and Diversity Initiative, which works to serve underrepresented populations in this challenging field by promoting diversity and inclusion. The school also has a Society of Women Engineers club that facilitates female participation in this field.