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94 STEM Degree Programs added to 17 month OPT Extension by DHS
To attract and retain International students talent in America, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on May 11th, 2012 announced expanded list of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math ) designated degrees that qualify for 17 month OPT (Optional Practical Training) Extension. In fact, changes to OPT rules in 2008 added 17 month OPT extension for STEM Degrees
Summary of DHS press release : STEM Degrees added in 2012
- New 94 STEM designated degree programs are added to the existing list
- Newly included degree programs are from fields like pharmaceutical sciences, econometrics, quantitative economics, and etc.
- All 94 newly added STEM degree programs are eligible for 17 month OPT Extension
- In order to qualify for 17 month OPT extension you need to meet the following criteria:
- Degree from your Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctoral is listed in a STEM program
- The employer you plan to work for is part of E-Verify Program
- You have not utilized or used 17 month OPT extension
- You are maintaining legal status in America
Complete List of Newly Added STEM Degree Programs 2012
| S.No | 2010 CIP* Code | Degree Program – CIP Code Title |
| 1 | 1.0308 | Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture. |
| 2 | 1.0999 | Animal Sciences, Other. |
| 3 | 1.1099 | Food Science and Technology, Other. |
| 4 | 1.1199 | Plant Sciences, Other. |
| 5 | 1.1299 | Soil Sciences, Other. |
| 6 | 3.0101 | Natural Resources/Conservation, General. |
| 7 | 3.0103 | Environmental Studies. |
| 8 | 3.0199 | Natural Resources Conservation and Research, Other. |
| 9 | 3.0205 | Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management. |
| 10 | 3.0508 | Urban Forestry. |
| 11 | 3.0601 | Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management. |
| 12 | 4.0902 | Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology. |
| 13 | 11.0199 | Computer and Information Sciences, Other. |
| 14 | 11.0299 | Computer Programming, Other. |
| 15 | 11.0899 | Computer Software and Media Applications, Other. |
| 16 | 11.1099 | Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management, Other. |
| 17 | 13.0501 | Educational/Instructional Technology. |
| 18 | 13.0601 | Educational Evaluation and Research. |
| 19 | 14.0799 | Chemical Engineering, Other. |
| 20 | 14.0899 | Civil Engineering, Other. |
| 21 | 14.0999 | Computer Engineering, Other. |
| 22 | 14.1099 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Other. |
| 23 | 14.9999 | Engineering, Other. |
| 24 | 15.0399 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 25 | 15.0499 | Electromechanical &Instrumentation & Maintenance Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 26 | 15.0599 | Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 27 | 15.0699 | Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 28 | 15.0799 | Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 29 | 15.0899 | Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 30 | 15.0999 | Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 31 | 15.1199 | Engineering-Related Technologies, Other. |
| 32 | 15.1299 | Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 33 | 15.1399 | Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 34 | 15.1599 | Engineering-Related Fields, Other. |
| 35 | 15.9999 | Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields, Other. |
| 36 | 26.0299 | Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other. |
| 37 | 26.0399 | Botany/Plant Biology, Other. |
| 38 | 26.0499 | Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other. |
| 39 | 26.0599 | Microbiological Sciences and Immunology, Other. |
| 40 | 26.0799 | Zoology/Animal Biology, Other. |
| 41 | 26.0899 | Genetics, Other. |
| 42 | 26.0999 | Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other. |
| 43 | 26.1099 | Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other. |
| 44 | 26.1199 | Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other. |
| 45 | 26.1399 | Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other. |
| 46 | 26.1599 | Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other. |
| 47 | 26.9999 | Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. |
| 48 | 27.0199 | Mathematics, Other. |
| 49 | 27.0399 | Applied Mathematics, Other. |
| 50 | 27.0599 | Statistics, Other. |
| 51 | 27.9999 | Mathematics and Statistics, Other. |
| 52 | 28.0501 | Air Science/Airpower Studies. |
| 53 | 28.0502 | Air and Space Operational Art and Science. |
| 54 | 28.0505 | Naval Science and Operational Studies. |
| 55 | 29.0299 | Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations, Other. |
| 56 | 29.0399 | Military Applied Sciences, Other. |
| 57 | 29.0499 | Military Systems and Maintenance Technology, Other. |
| 58 | 29.9999 | Military Technologies and Applied Sciences, Other. |
| 59 | 30.1701 | Behavioral Sciences. |
| 60 | 30.2701 | Human Biology. |
| 61 | 30.3001 | Computational Science. |
| 62 | 30.3101 | Human Computer Interaction. |
| 63 | 30.3301 | Sustainability Studies. |
| 64 | 40.0299 | Astronomy and Astrophysics, Other. |
| 65 | 40.0499 | Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Other. |
| 66 | 40.0599 | Chemistry, Other. |
| 67 | 40.0699 | Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other. |
| 68 | 40.0899 | Physics, Other. |
| 69 | 40.1099 | Materials Sciences, Other. |
| 70 | 40.9999 | Physical Sciences, Other. |
| 71 | 41.0299 | Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 72 | 41.0399 | Physical Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 73 | 41.9999 | Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. |
| 74 | 42.2799 | Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. |
| 75 | 43.0116 | Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism. |
| 76 | 45.0301 | Archeology. |
| 77 | 45.0603 | Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. |
| 78 | 49.0101 | Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General. |
| 79 | 51.1002 | Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist. |
| 80 | 51.1005 | Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist. |
| 81 | 51.2006 | Clinical and Industrial Drug Development. |
| 82 | 51.2007 | Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics. |
| 83 | 51.2009 | Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences. |
| 84 | 51.2010 | Pharmaceutical Sciences. |
| 85 | 51.2202 | Environmental Health. |
| 86 | 51.2205 | Health/Medical Physics. |
| 87 | 51.2502 | Veterinary Anatomy |
| 88 | 51.2503 | Veterinary Physiology |
| 89 | 51.2504 | Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology |
| 90 | 51.2505 | Veterinary Pathology and Pathobiology |
| 91 | 51.2506 | Veterinary Toxicology and Pharmacology |
| 92 | 51.2510 | Veterinary Preventive Medicine Epidemiology and Public Health |
| 93 | 51.2511 | Veterinary Infectious Diseases |
| 94 | 52.1399 | Management Science and Quantitative Methods, Other |
*CIP stands for Classification of Instructional Programs
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a PhD in Agriculture majoring Agronomy. Do I have the privileges those STEM degrees get?
It depends on your degree code. Check your I-20 (last page) or ask your international office.
Thanks for the information. Very useful.
Hi, quick question.
I studied Interior Architecture for my Bachelor’s,
Do you think it’s worth it for me to try to apply for the degree of Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology (#12) STEM OPT extension?
I know it’s very different but do you think it’s worth a try
Hi
I am selecting MBA IT management from Wester Governors University, UT.
Is this graduate program comes under STEM designated program.
Thanks
Jay
Hello… I am having a doubt and hopefully any one of you can clarify this for me…
I am doing Masters in Business Administration with Major as Management Information Systems… Hence, I would like to know as my major is Information Systems would this degree be considered a part of STEM?
Thanks and regards,
Mohammed
Hi. I have the same situation as you. I am planning to take up MBA in MIS. Wanted to know if it qualifies for extension. Please kindly let me know. Thanks
Georgia College was recently had two new undergraduate majors added to the STEM extension list:
Computer Science (CIP 110101)
Management Information Systems (CIP 521399)
hi,
Can anybody tell me that M.B.A. in phamaceutical managment students are allowed for OPT extension?
Hi
I graduated with Accounting degree in 2011 may and my opt is expiring this month.
i found this job who is applying for my H1B visa this week after my LCA approval gets back from DOL.
my question here is my bachelors in accounting counts in stem if not
can i wait for my premium processing H1b results and then apply for cap-gap.
to make sure it got approved and if God forbid it doesn’t get an approval can i go back to F1 status
Is there a grace time period after OPT expiration to go back to f1 status instead of apply for cap-gap and losing a privilege of getting F1 status back completely
in case of H1B rejection
please advise
Maryam,
You will be eligible for cap-gap once your petition reaches USCIS and it has been filed w/ COS w/ start date of Oct 1. Even if your petition is under process and OPT expires, you can continue to stay and work. Just let your DSO know about this. However, if H-1 is filed after the OPT has expired (i.e. during the 60 day grace period), then you are authorized to stay but not work. Again, you need to inform your DSO accordingly.
I don’t know if you can move to another school during that 60 day grace period.
I graduated May 2011 with a degree that wasnt in STEM at that time. However it has now been included in STEM as per this notice. I am still in my OPT (expires this month)
Can I apply for STEM extension?
Saurabh,
You should be eligible now. You can check w/ your DSO as well.
Hi Saurabh,
1. My Degree is in Economics with a code of 45. 0601.
The STEM degree is Econometrics and Quantati…46. 0603. What can I do to get this changed?
(Note: my university does not have 45.0603) What are my options?
2. I cannot apply for H1 anymore, my OPT expires on Jan 31st 2013. What are the options to stay in the country?
Thank you for your feedback! a lot of appreciation your way.
Anonymous,
1. You will have to talk to your DSO or attorney about this
2. You can enroll in another school/course and continue to stay on F-1
Hey,
would you, please, share your results on 1. with me by email? I’m in exact same situation 45.0601 to 45.0603 (one digit off!! argh!!!)
Hi Kumar,
I have double major in International business and Business economics with a minor in Information system.
Questions:
1. Am i allowed for STEM extension as i see on #77 on the list for newly added STEM degrees, Quantitative economics is added.
2. Does having a minor in IS qualify me for STEM
If no to both ot the above questions:
My opt expires 5th Sept and i am yet to apply for h1b do you suggest me to apply for premium petition or regular depending on the rate the quota is being filled.
Secondly, what is the process for applying for cap-gap (i think i will need this since opt expires in Sept and h1b starts Oct 1st)?
Lastly, i read a lot of times you saying h1b with COS what does “COS” stand for and what does it mean?
Thanks a lot i had a lot of general questions which were answered by reading others questions. The above are more specific to my situation thus asking.
Thanks for your help.
Abhi,
I am not sure about the STEM thing, and you should check w/ your DSO. However, if the list includes your QE degree, then you should be fine.
Answers to your remaining questions:
- You can apply now in regular processing. If the petition doesn’t get approved by (let’s say) Sep end, then you can upgrade it to PP so that you get the decision before Oct
- As long as petition has been filed w/ COS w/ start date of Oct 1, you are eligible for cap-gap. Once the petition gets filed, let your school DSO know and they would update the status in SEVIS record
- COS stands for change of status. Your current visa status is F-1 and it needs to change to H-1 for you to start working on H-1. So when the H-1 petition is filed, employer will have to file it w/ COS. Once approved, your status will change to H-1 from COS approval date which is typically Oct 1
Hi,
I am an IT engineer and will be traveling to USA on the H1B visa in later this year.. My wife is a physiotherapist and I wish that she can either study or work there while I am working in USA (Massachutes, Boston). Please suggest how can my wife apply for study or work permit when I get my H1b stamped in October.
Please guide.
She cannot work on H4 visa, but she can study in USA on H4 visa. Read this article : Advantages of Studying on H4 visa
If my Bachelors is from STEM field in India and Masters Degree from USA but not included in STEM branches, then am i eligible for STEM OPT extension?
Swetha,
No you will not be. Your degree from US have to part the STEM designated degree