In today’s workplaces, business and technology don’t just overlap, they are more connected than ever. You see it everywhere: project managers using AI-powered analytics, data scientists helping organizations stay ahead, and startups built by people fluent in spreadsheets and source code.
That’s the world Avila University Arizona (AUA) prepares you for. And if you’re considering graduate study, two of our master’s paths — the STEM Master of Business Administration (MBA), available in Healthcare Administration and Project Management, and the Master of Science in Technology Management, offered in Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, and Data Science — may sound similar at first glance. Both are STEM-designated, both prepare you for leadership, and both can open doors to exciting roles in fast-growing industries.
But the big question is, which one is ideal for you?
Leadership in a Tech-Driven World
The most successful professionals today have a deep understanding of how data, innovation, and collaboration fit together. The people who understand this are the ones who stand out.
At AUA, our graduate programs reflect that reality. Each program helps you build the skills today’s industries need most. The difference is how you’ll apply them, and whether you want to lead through business strategy or technology innovation.
The STEM MBA develops leadership through strategy, connecting business vision to measurable results. The M.S. in Technology Management develops leadership through innovation, connecting data, systems, and people to move the needle.
The STEM MBA: Leadership Through Strategy
Think of the STEM MBA as your bridge between management and outcomes. It’s built for students who want to lead organizations, teams, or projects, and solve problems that don’t come with a manual.
You can tailor the program through one of two specializations:
- Healthcare Administration
Focus on managing people, technology, and systems in healthcare settings. - Project Management
Learn how to plan, execute, and deliver complex projects that span disciplines and teams.
In both tracks, you’ll learn to provide clear direction, making confident decisions through analytics, operations insight, and strategy. You’ll become adept in the language of leadership.
What’s more, because these are STEM-designated programs, international students may be eligible for up to 36 months of U.S. work experience through Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students ( STEM OPT) after graduation*. This is an opportunity to apply classroom learning to hands-on professional experience.
The M.S. in Technology Management: Leadership Through Innovation
If the MBA teaches you how to guide organizations, the M.S. in Technology Management teaches you how to make innovation happen. It’s designed for students who like to ask how things work and how they can work better.
You’ll choose from three distinct specializations, each exploring a different dimension of technology leadership:
- Artificial intelligence
Explore how machines learn, adapt, and solve problems, and what that means for the people who build and use them. - Business Analytics
Learn how to make sense of numbers and trends to guide smarter business decisions. - Data Science
Work with real-world data to uncover patterns, tell stories, and help teams make confident choices.
Each specialization helps you to see technology as a tool for leadership — a way to take your technical knowledge and apply it to the type of big-picture thinking that promotes growth.
Like the MBA programs, all three M.S. specializations are STEM-designated, giving graduates the same extended work opportunity through STEM OPT*.
A Quick Comparison
How to Choose the Path That’s Right for You
Here’s the simplest way to think about it.
If you’re energized by people, structure, and high-level strategy, the STEM MBA is a clear match. It’s for students who want to lead teams, shape operations, and guide organizations.
If you’re more intrigued by technology, innovation, and problem-solving guided by data, the M.S. in Technology Management is the right fit for you. It’s for people who want to use data and systems to innovate.
Both programs put you on a path to leadership. They just approach it from different angles: one strategic, and the other technical. Either way, you’ll graduate with the executive-level skills to rise to the top in the field of your choice.
Next Steps
If you’re ready to explore your options, our Admissions team can help you find the program and specialization that fit where you want to go.
Get in touch at admissions@arizona.avila.edu today.
*Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions are granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Students must meet all F-1 visa requirements, and eligibility is subject to USCIS approval.
