''STEM'' education-science, technology, engineering, and mathematics-addresses education policy and curriculum choices in schools from K-12 through college to improve competitiveness in technology development. These subjects have often been taught in isolation, in STEM education, they are taught as an integrated curriculum instead. The MS in STEM Education is a 30-credit degree program. It typically takes at least 1.5 years to complete all degree requirements, including a final program examination (i.e., either a thesis defense or a comprehensive oral examination). However, students who work (e.g., teach) and take classes on a part-time basis often require additional time to complete their degree requirements.<br><br>STEM education has implications for workforce development, national security concerns, and immigration policy because of the perceived lack of qualified candidates for high-tech jobs. Enabling US citizens to be well versed in the STEM fields is a key portion of the country's public education agenda. By cultivating an interest in the natural and social sciences in preschool or immediately following school entry, the chances of STEM success in high school can be greatly improved. Many organizations in the US follow the guidelines of the National Science Foundation (NSF), which uses a broader definition of STEM subjects that includes subjects in the fields of chemistry, computer and information technology science, engineering, geosciences, the life sciences, mathematical sciences, physics and astronomy, the social sciences (anthropology, economics, psychology, and sociology), and STEM education and learning research.