According to the Institute of International Education, a record 1.13 million international students studied and worked in the United States in 2023-2024. They made up nearly 6% of the students in higher education. Almost 243,000 of these students participated in optional practical training (OPT), which allows F-1 visa students to gain work experience in the United States either during or after their degree program.
Due to the high demand for professionals with expertise in STEM subjects across the country, international students who attend STEM graduate programs in areas such as accounting, business analytics, data science, or healthcare informatics may qualify for an OPT extension that can triple their employment authorization timeline.
What Is a STEM-Designated Graduate Program?
A STEM-designated graduate program is a graduate-level academic program in one of the science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) fields on the list approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to the DHS, approved fields involve “research, innovation, or development of new technologies using engineering, mathematics, computer science, or natural sciences.”
These programs, which help students develop critical thinking and data analysis skills, are in fields such as engineering, biomedical sciences, physical sciences, mathematics and statistics, computer programming and information sciences, and psychology.
Completing one of these DHS-approved STEM graduate programs can qualify international students for an OPT extension.
4 In-Demand STEM Graduate Programs
From 2023 to 2033, jobs in STEM occupations are projected to grow 10.4%, which is much faster than the 3.6% growth projected for jobs in non-STEM occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). And the BLS reports that, as of May 2023, professionals in STEM occupations had a median annual salary of $101,650, while for those in non-STEM occupations it was $46,680.
In-demand STEM graduate programs that meet the DHS requirements for international students are in subjects that include:
1. Accounting
Accounting professionals increasingly rely on analytics and technology to audit complex financial documents, forecast business valuations, and develop corporate tax strategies. Earning a graduate degree in accounting helps individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to take on these responsibilities. Accounting master’s programs also prepare individuals for the certified public accountant (CPA) exam and licensure as a CPA, which can mean more job opportunities and a higher earning potential.
International students enrolled in an accounting graduate program can develop advanced accounting, auditing, and analytics skills.
2. Business Analytics
Corporations can seize a competitive advantage when they know how to turn their data into customer, product, and market insights. Pursuing a graduate degree in business analytics trains business leaders to solve real-world business problems using data-driven methodologies.
International students can consider earning a master’s in business analytics or an MBA with a concentration in business analytics to better understand predictive analytics, data visualization, and other techniques that innovative leaders need in today’s global economy.
3. Data Science
Businesses and organizations of all types increasingly rely on data to make decisions. As such, data scientists are in particularly high demand, with 36% job growth projected for the occupation from 2023 to 2033, according to the BLS.
Pursuing a data science graduate degree can help students develop technical skills with an emphasis on solving real-world business problems and designing data-driven strategic plans. Pursuing electives in an area such as international business, fintech, or global supply chain management can lead to specialized roles after graduation.
4. Healthcare Informatics and AI
Healthcare professionals with technology skills are improving the quality of patient care and making healthcare service delivery more efficient. Hospitals, public health organizations, insurance companies, and government agencies employ specialists in healthcare informatics and artificial intelligence (AI).
Earning a master’s in healthcare informatics and AI can help international students build their information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence skills with a focus on the specific needs of modern healthcare organizations. Students complete hands-on projects or internships to expand their knowledge of healthcare informatics.
How Can International Students Qualify for a STEM OPT Extension?
International students on an F-1 visa typically must leave the country within 60 days after their program ends. Optional practical training allows qualifying graduates to work in the United States for a period of up to 12 months. However, students graduating from STEM-designated undergraduate and graduate programs may qualify for an additional 24-month work extension, for a total maximum of three years of work authorization.
How do international students qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
First, international students with F-1 visas must obtain OPT work authorization, which involves submitting an application for employment authorization (Form I-765) and gaining an endorsement from their school. Students can begin working under an OPT authorization during or after their degree program. To qualify for an OPT extension, they must earn a STEM-designated degree from an accredited institution, secure employment from an employer who meets the STEM OPT extension requirements, and file additional application forms. International students interested in gaining work authorization should explore the detailed requirement information provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department.
Extend Your U.S. Work Eligibility With a STEM Graduate Program
Are you an international student interested in earning a STEM degree? Bryant University, an accredited institution in New England, offers five STEM-designated graduate programs that meet the requirements for an OPT extension.
International students can earn a Master of Science in Accounting, a Master of Science in Business Analytics, a Master of Science in Data Science, a Master of Science in Healthcare Informatics and AI, or a One-Year MBA with a concentration in business analytics to qualify for a STEM OPT extension. All of the programs are in person at Bryant’s Smithfield, Rhode Island, campus, except the healthcare informatics program, which is a hybrid program.
Contact Bryant today to learn more about graduate admissions for international students.