8 Fields of Study Added to the American STEM OPT Extension List

July 14, 2023

Earlier this week, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added eight new fields of study to the federal government’s STEM OPT Extension List. This is great news for international students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. Now, new graduates from a wider range of eligible programs may apply for a 24-month extension to their Optional Practical Training (OPT).

This update means that more eligible STEM grads than ever will effectively triple the American work experience they can obtain, compared to graduates in other fields. With more time to master their specialized skills in OPT, students will better prepare themselves to excel in their future careers.

In a hurry? Jump to the following sections:

Did you know: This is the second time the STEM List grew? It was revised in 2022 to include 22 more programs, including data science and financial analytics.

How Does STEM OPT Work?

Optional Practical Training, or OPT, allows eligible international students with a nonimmigrant F-1 visa to find off-campus work or an internship within their field of study. Some students may apply for OPT while they’re still studying (Pre-Completion OPT), but most pursue OPT after graduation (Post-Completion OPT).

Once new graduates from STEM programs have completed 12 months of OPT, they become eligible for a 24-month OPT extension, so long as the degree they completed is on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (STEM List). This also means that students whose certifications are on the STEM List may work in the US for up to three years.

Conditions to Qualify for STEM OPT

To qualify for a STEM OPT extension, there are a few more working conditions to fulfill:

The employee must have a degree in an eligible STEM field from an accredited Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified school.
The employee must work a minimum of 20 hours per week per employer.
The employer must be a STEM OPT employer who provides formal training and learning objectives to the student.
The STEM OPT employer must be enrolled in the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services’ E-Verify program.

Read our blog to learn whether OPT or Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a better fit for your study abroad goals!

What are the New Fields on the STEM List?

Per the US Federal Register, eight fields of study joined the STEM List and became eligible for the STEM OPT extension in July 2023. All pre-existing fields stayed on the list.

The new fields are:

Composite Materials Technology/Technician
Demography and Population Studies
Developmental and Adolescent Psychology
Geospatial Intelligence
Institutional Research
Landscape Architecture
Linguistics and Computer Science
Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician

Curious if your desired field of study is on the full STEM List? See the full list on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s website.

Pro Tip: The full STEM List is a big document and densely packed. Save time by using a keyboard search command (Ctrl+F on a Windows computer, Cmd+F on a Mac, or follow these mobile doc search guides for iOS or Android devices) to find what you need a little faster.

As a team who believes in the power of international students to accelerate growth across a wide variety of industries, we’re excited to see news like this. Stay tuned to our blog for more news and student resources!

Ready to become an international student in the US? Next, find personalized recommendations that match your goals, background, and budget on the ApplyBoard Platform.