Must-Know Guide for Studying in the U.S.! Learn About STEM Majors in Three Minutes (22 New Fields Added as of 2022.01.22) | UP-STUDY Educational Center

What is STEM?

STEM is an acronym that encompasses four major disciplines: Science (S), Technology (T), Engineering (E), and Mathematics (M). In 2006, then U.S. President George Walker Bush proposed that one of the educational goals in the era of the knowledge economy was to cultivate talents with STEM literacy, calling it the key to global competitiveness. In 2011, President Barack Obama emphasized the importance of innovation, technology, and education in his State of the Union address, promoting STEM programs and allocating $3.1 billion to STEM education in 2014.

Popular STEM majors include Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Statistics, Biological Sciences, Food Science, Environmental Science, and Public Health. Some business programs also fall under the STEM category, such as certain Finance, Economics, Marketing, and Business Analytics courses. However, business program offerings vary by school, and not all courses are classified as STEM. Therefore, it is essential to check the program’s webpage to confirm if it is designated as a STEM program before applying.

Benefits of Choosing a STEM Major

More Job Opportunities

STEM majors are highly technical and increasingly in demand across various industries, not just in technology. According to statistics and research from the U.S. Department of Commerce, job opportunities in STEM fields grew at twice the rate of other job types between 2008 and 2018. Predictions indicate even faster growth in STEM-related jobs in the future. Choosing a STEM major means more job opportunities after graduation. One of the main incentives for international students to study in the U.S. is the ability tostay in the U.S. for internships or work after graduation.

Extended OPT to Three Years

However, international students often face visa restrictions when seeking employment in the U.S. After graduation, students on an F1 visa must apply for OPT (Optional Practical Training) to work in the U.S. The biggest limitation of standard OPT is its 12-month duration. If students fail to secure an H1B work visa within this time, they must leave the U.S. STEM graduates, however, are eligible to apply for a 24-month OPT extension, giving themup to 36 months to obtain an H1B work visa, providing three chances for the H1B lottery, a significant advantage for students aspiring to work in the U.S.

Further Reading

◇ No TOEFL/GMAT Needed! Earn an MBA in One Year with Three Years of OPT? Introduction to UIC MBA

◇ World Top 20! Comprehensive Guide to Johns Hopkins University’s One-Year ITGL Master’s Program

How to Determine if Your Program is STEM?

Check University Website Policies

Department pages usually specify whether a program qualifies as a STEM field under the OPT extension plan. If this information is not available on the program homepage, check the admissions page and FAQ section, or email the admissions officer for confirmation to ensure accurate information.

Match with the Official STEM Program List

In the U.S., all programs are categorized by CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) codes based on their curriculum and program type. According to DHS guidelines, the STEM program list follows specific CIP codes and can be broadly divided into two categories:

Unconditionally Included in STEM:

Programs under the following four CIP code classifications are automatically included as STEM-eligible, along with any newly added programs in these categories.

Six-digit full match required:

Within these 18 classifications, the subcategories must fully match the CIP codes listed in the STEM list to qualify.

Students can check their own I-20 or visit the National Center for Education Statistics website to search and confirm.

Further Reading

◇ Introduction to CIP Classification

Complete STEM Fields List

[Updated 2022.01.22] 22 New Fields Added

To retain international talent and enhance the contributions of non-immigrant students studying in STEM fields, the White House announced on January 21, 2022, the addition of 22 new STEM learning fields to the OPT extension program to support the U.S. economy and innovation development. The following are the 22 newly added fields:

Below is the latest STEM Designated Degree Program List from the United States Department of Homeland Security, provided for student reference:

Further Reading

◇ U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree List Announcement