DHS Announces Updated DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced July 22 the amendment of its DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List to add one qualifying field of study and a corresponding U.S. Department of Education Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code for that field.

After reviewing 133 nominations submitted by interested parties, including members of the public, DHS is adding one field of study, Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (CIP code 03.0204), to the list.

This year’s addition continues the trend of expanding opportunities here for international students. In 2023, DHS added eight qualifying fields of study to the list, including Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician; Linguistics and Computer Science; and Developmental and Adolescent Psychology.

As part of the 2016 final rule, “Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students,” DHS noted that it envisioned making “periodic updates to the STEM list in response to changes in STEM fields, academic programs, or technological trends” and would “review recommendations from the public concerning potential additions or deletions to the list.”

For additional information about the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and fields of study that qualify for the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) optional practical training (OPT) extension, please visit the following pages:

• The Federal Register notice announcing the CIP code addition.
• The updated DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.
• The Eligible CIP Codes for the STEM OPT Extension page on the Study in the States STEM OPT Hub.