What Is a STEM OPT Extension?

Every year, hundreds of thousands of international students are issued F-1 student visas to earn a degree at a U.S. college or university, according to data from the U.S. Department of State. 

These students can apply for temporary work authorization in the U.S. as part of the optional practical training (OPT) program. The OPT program provides 12 months of work authorization for students to use to gain experience in a hands-on environment, either while they’re earning their degree or after they’ve graduated. 

Earning a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field can qualify F-1 visa holders to apply for an OPT extension, which adds another 24 months of postgraduation work authorization to their visa. 

STEM-designated programs range across a wide variety of subjects, including business analytics, healthcare informatics, data science, accounting, and select business administration specializations. International students exploring options to study in the U.S. can discover which degrees qualify and how F-1 students get a STEM OPT extension.

What Is the Optional Practical Training Program?

The optional practical training program provides temporary work authorization to F-1 visa students. Most F-1 visa holders qualify to apply for 12 months of OPT work authorization. F-1 visa holders can apply for the authorization on either a precompletion or postcompletion basis. 

OPT precompletion employment authorization allows F-1 visa holders to work part time (20 hours a week or less) while earning a degree. Students can apply for precompletion authorization after completing one year of academic coursework.

OPT postcompletion employment authorization allows graduates who have earned a degree to work part time or full time, as long as they work at least 20 hours per week. Students can apply for the postcompletion option up to 90 days before and no later than 60 days after completing their degree program. 

What is a STEM OPT extension? International students who earn a degree in a STEM field can add 24 months of postgraduate work authorization to their visa with a STEM OPT extension. This can give students a total of 36 months of work authorization. 

STEM-Designated Degrees

Only F-1 visa holders who earn a STEM-designated degree can qualify for a STEM OPT extension. Which programs meet the requirement? Rather than narrowly limiting STEM-designated degree programs to those with science, technology, engineering, or mathematics in the program name, the designation also applies to degree programs that involve research, analytics, or related fields that draw on STEM concepts.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains a list of STEM-designated degree programs. Currently, the list includes programs in fields such as:

• Agricultural science
• Business management and actuarial science
• Communication technologies
• Computer and information sciences
• Data science
• Education technologies
• Engineering
• Informatics
• Mathematics and statistics
• Natural and social sciences
• Physical, biological, and biomedical sciences

DHS regularly reviews its list of STEM-designated degree programs. For instance, in July 2024, the DHS added environmental/natural resource economics to its list. 

Who Can Qualify for a STEM OPT Extension?

Extending their OPT program gives graduates with STEM-designated degrees additional time to gain professional experience and apply for a different visa, such as the H-1B visa for skilled workers.

In order to qualify for a STEM OPT extension, international students must meet several requirements. First, students must have been granted an initial OPT work authorization. 

Additionally, the field of study they have earned a degree in must appear on the DHS STEM-designated degree program list. Only accredited programs that earn a STEM designation qualify students for a STEM OPT extension.

Also, F-1 students must work for an eligible employer in a field directly related to their STEM degree. During the STEM OPT postcompletion extension period, graduates must work a minimum of 20 hours per week. 

Applying for a STEM OPT Extension

How do F-1 visa students apply for a STEM OPT extension? Students must first apply for the initial OPT work authorization. 

The OPT application process starts at the student’s academic institution, where the designated school official (DSO) must endorse the student’s certificate of eligibility and recommend an OPT period. Next, the student needs to file an application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, and include any required documentation. After the DSO enters the recommendation, the international student has 30 days to submit their application. 

Once this process is complete and the individual has gained OPT approval, they can apply for the STEM extension. The applicant must be in a valid postcompletion OPT work period and have a current DSO endorsement, and the application must include the individual’s employer information and evidence of their degree program completion.

Benefits of Pursuing a STEM Degree

STEM degrees pay off in several ways. For example, earning a STEM degree strengthens students’ analytical and problem-solving skills. Here are some of the many other benefits of pursuing a STEM degree for all prospective students, including F-1 visa holders. 

Gain Technical Expertise

Studying a STEM subject strengthens students’ technical expertise in a specific area, such as bioinformatics or business analytics. For example, data-driven businesses rely on professionals who specialize in big data management, data visualization, and machine learning.

STEM-designated degree programs also offer opportunities to gain the specialized expertise needed for roles in healthcare, finance, logistics, and many other fields.

Boost Earning Potential

Graduating with a STEM degree positions graduates for a career in a high-paying field.

Occupations in STEM fields often have significantly higher median salaries than that of other occupations, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) as analyzed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Based on May 2023 salary data, STEM occupations overall have a median salary of $101,650, while non-STEM occupations have a median salary of $46,680. 

Prepare for High-Demand Positions

Across sectors, organizations increasingly rely on professionals with technology and data analytics expertise to deliver services, operate efficiently, and conduct research. STEM degree programs prepare professionals for a career in one of these growing fields.

Graduates with STEM degrees benefit from strong demand. According to the DOL, employment in STEM occupations is projected to grow 10.4% from 2023 to 2033. That represents significantly faster growth than employment in non-STEM occupations, which is projected to grow 3.6%.

Climb the Career Ladder

Earning a master’s degree in a STEM field can help professionals advance their career. A master’s in business analytics or data science can lead to a management-level job title or a position in a fast-growing field like data analysis, machine learning, or data visualization. 

The BLS projects 36% employment growth for data scientists from 2023 to 2033 due to an increase in demand for data-driven business approaches. And many employers prefer to hire managers or data science specialists with a master’s degree.

Gain Further Employment in the U.S.

F-1 visa holders who are enrolled in a STEM degree program benefit from the opportunity to participate in the STEM OPT extension program. This extended temporary work authorization may enable them to establish a relationship with an employer, which could then allow them to secure a work visa. For instance, F-1 visa holders who receive a job offer can apply for an H-1B visa with their employer’s sponsorship.

Earn a STEM-Designated Degree at Bryant University

Discover the power of data-driven decision-making with a STEM-designated master’s degree from Bryant University. 

The Master of Science in Business Analytics & AI immerses students in a dynamic curriculum that includes large-scale data management, data visualization, and marketing analytics. With electives in fintech, international business, healthcare, global supply chain management, or general management, students can tailor their education to their career goals. The emphasis on experiential learning through internships and a project-based capstone course equips students with the practical skills needed to solve real-world business challenges. 

Bryant also offers STEM-designated Master of Science degrees in Healthcare Informatics & AI, Data Science & AI, and Accounting, providing international students with F-1 visas the chance to gain practical training through a STEM OPT extension. 

Explore how Bryant’s programs prepare you to uncover innovative solutions and make a meaningful impact.