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DHS Issues Federal Notice Updating STEM Designated Degrees for Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) Eligibility

More news about immigration is coming to you. This week, important updates were released for F-1 students seeking optional practical training upon completion of certain STEM-related fields of study.


DHS issues a pre-copy of the STEM Dedicated Degree Program List for optional practical training upon completion


If you are an international student studying F-1 visa status in the United States, this update may be of interest to you. Today, January 20, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security released an advance copy of the Federal Notice, “Update to the Department of Homeland Security’s Degree List of Degree Programs,” which is scheduled to be published in the Federal Registry tomorrow, Friday, January 21, 2022.

With this announcement, DHS has indicated that the agency will add 22 appropriate fields of study To the list of STEM Dedicated Degree Programs. This change is significant because DHS relies on List of STEM programs Determine if an F-1 international student has earned a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) degree program in order to seek employment in the United States after graduation.


What is OPT after completion?


F-1 students who have earned a degree in the STEM certification field are eligible to apply for a 24-month extension Optional practical training after completion (OPT) After graduation. Those who are licensed for OPT upon graduation can work part-time (20 hours or less per week) or full-time.

For those who participated in the Post-Completion OPT, USCIS reduces the length of time a person is eligible to participate in the Post-Completion OPT by deducting from the authorization period. For example, students who participated in 10 months of OPT before graduation will only be eligible for up to two months of OPT upon completion.


Who is affected by this post?


This announcement affects eligible non-F-1 immigrant students seeking a 24-month OPT extension upon graduation who have received a degree in STEM Studies as set forth in the STEM List.


What are the 22 eligible areas of study that are added to the STEM list?


  • Bio-energy (03.0210). A curriculum that focuses on the environmental and economic impact of using plants and bacteria to produce bio-based fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Includes training in biochemical engineering, biological processing, biological separations, conversion, raw materials, economics, environmental sustainability, hydrology and natural resource management.

  • Forestry, General (03.0501). A program that typically prepares people to manage and develop forest areas for economic, recreational and ecological purposes. Includes training in forest-related sciences, mapping, statistics, harvesting and production technology, natural resource and economic resource management, wildlife sciences, administration and public relations

  • Production and management of forest resources (03.0510). A program that focuses on the application of forestry principles on the production, harvesting and processing of forest resources and trains people to perform related technical and managerial functions. Includes training in the production and utilization of forests, industrial forestry, forestry agriculture, transplants, tree harvesting, selection and identification of trees, technologies and processing systems, operation and maintenance of related equipment and management skills.

  • Human-focused technological design (11.0105). A program that focuses on integrating a human perspective in the design, research and creation of technological interfaces. Includes training in design, human-computer interaction, learning, neuroscience, perception, product design, user-focused design and usability.

  • Cloud Computing (11.0902). A program that prepares people to design and implement enterprise software systems that rely on distributed computing and service-oriented architecture, including databases, Internet services, cloud computing and mobile applications. Includes training in data management, distributed computing and cloud computing, enterprise software architecture, enterprise and cloud security, mobile systems and applications, server management and web development.

  • Anthrosoology (30.3401). A curriculum that combines anthropology and zoology in order to examine the relationship between animals and humans. Includes training in animal behavior and communication, animal welfare, animal conservation, animal training, animal-assisted care techniques, biology, ethics and education.

  • Climate Science (30.3501). A program that focuses on scientific research of the Earth’s climate system with an emphasis on the physical, dynamic, and chemical interactions of the atmosphere, ocean, land, ice, and terrestrial and marine biosphere. Includes training in biology, chemistry, climate analysis, adaptation / reduction of climate change, climate policy, ecology, energy development, environmental impacts, marine chemistry, meteorology and oceanography.

  • Earth Systems Science (30.3801). A program that focuses on the interaction between the Earth’s oceanographic, atmospheric and terrestrial systems. Includes instruction in biochemistry, climate dynamics, geographic information science (GIS), geophysics, hydrology, landscape ecology, meteorology and satellite remote sensing analysis.

  • Economics and Computer Science (30.3901). A curriculum that focuses on the theoretical and practical connections between computer science and economics. Includes training in data analysis, database design, data mining, computer algorithms, economics, econometrics, computer programming, mathematics and statistics.

  • Geo-Environmental Sciences (30.4101). A program focused on the scientific study of the environmental consequences of geological processes and human activities on Earth. Includes training in environmental / natural resource management, geographic information systems (GIS), geology, hydrology, regulatory authority compliance, risk identification and mitigation, environmental law, environmental policy and sustainability research.

  • Geobiology (30.4301). A program that focuses on scientific research of how living things interact with geological systems. Includes guidance in the evolution of Earth systems, geochemistry, geology, geomicrobiology, marine chemistry, paleobiology, paleoecology, paleontology and petrology

  • Studies in Geography and the Environment (30.4401). A program that focuses on interactions between people and the natural and built environment. Includes training in climate science, sustainability, science and environmental policy, research methods, geographic information systems (GIS), human geography, physical geography, remote sensing and public policy.

  • Mathematical Economics (30.4901). A program that focuses on the application of mathematical methods for the development of economic theory, models and quantitative analysis. Includes training in data analysis, applied business economics, arithmetic, econometrics, linear algebra, microeconomic theory, probability and statistical methods.

  • Mathematics and Atmospheric / Oceanic Sciences (30.5001). A program that focuses on applying mathematics to atmospheric and oceanic problems. Includes instruction in chemistry, physics, atmospheric / ocean dynamics, climatology, weather simulation, climate modeling, mathematics, oceanography and atmospheric sciences.

  • Data Science, General (30.7001). A program that focuses on analyzing large-scale data sources from the interdisciplinary perspectives of applied statistics, computer science, data storage, data representation, data models, mathematics, and statistics. Includes training in computer algorithms, computer programming, data management, data mining, information policy, information retrieval, mathematical models, quantitative analysis, statistics, trend detection and visual analysis.

  • Data Analysis, General (30.7101). A program that prepares people to apply data science to generate insights from data and identify and predict trends. Includes training in computer databases, computer programming, heating, machine learning, optimization, probability and stochastic models, statistics, strategy, quantification uncertainty and visual analysis.

  • Business Analytics (30.7102). A program that prepares people to apply data science to solve business challenges. Includes training in machine learning, optimization methods, computer algorithms, probability and stochastic models, information economics, logistics, strategy, consumer behavior, marketing and visual analysis.

  • Data Simulation (30.7103). A program that prepares people to organize and derive meaning from data by using tools and techniques of visual presentation. Includes instruction in cognitive sciences, computer programming, data management, data imaging theory, graphic design, infographics, perceptual psychology, statistics and visual design.

  • Financial Analysis (30.7104). A program that focuses on modeling financial big data from algorithms to data-based financial technologies. Includes training in financial analysis, financial data processing, knowledge management, data simulation, effective decision communication, machine learning for finance, statistical inference and dynamic modeling of financial data and project management

  • Data Analysis, Other (30.7199). Any training program in data analysis that is not listed above

  • Industrial and Organizational Psychology (42.2804). A program that focuses on the scientific study of individual and group behavior in institutional settings, applications to related problems of organization and industry, and may prepare people to apply such principles in industrial and organizational settings. Includes instruction in group behavior theory, organizational theory, reward / punishment structures, human-computer and human-computer interactions, motivational dynamics, human stress research, environmental and organizational influences on behavior, alienation and satisfaction, and examination and evaluation at work.

  • Social Sciences, Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods (45.0102). A program that focuses on designing research studies, measuring variables, analyzing data and formulating models. Including training in experimental methods, a kind of experiment and case research; Historical research; Participant observation; Questionnaire design; Sampling theory; And statistical methods.

Where can I find out more?


You may find an advance copy of the unpublished message Here. The official publication will be published tomorrow, January 21, 2022, in the Federal Registry.


Need help submitting your OPT upon completion? We will be happy to discuss your eligibility. If you would like to schedule a consultation, please send a message to 619-483-4549 or call 619-819-9204.


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