Which STEM Degree CIP Codes Qualify for the 24-Month OPT Extension?
By Pinal Dave | Last updated: 2026-08-02
TL;DR: Your degree qualifies for the STEM OPT extension only if the exact 6-digit Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code on your Form I-20 appears on DHS's STEM Designated Degree Program List — not just because your major sounds technical. Four broad 2-digit series (engineering, biological/biomedical sciences, math and statistics, physical sciences) qualify essentially across the board, while roughly 18 other related series only qualify at specific listed 6-digit codes, such as select computer science, data science, and a handful of other niche programs. Check the CIP code your school registered for your program, not the degree title, against the current DHS list.
The Claim
STEM OPT eligibility isn't determined by whether your degree title sounds STEM-ish — it's determined by the specific CIP code your school's registrar assigned to your program, cross-checked against DHS's official STEM Designated Degree Program List.
The Evidence
DHS's STEM list is organized around the Department of Education's CIP taxonomy. Four broad 2-digit CIP series qualify categorically: Engineering (14), Biological and Biomedical Sciences (26), Mathematics and Statistics (27), and Physical Sciences (40). Beyond those, DHS also designates specific 6-digit codes within roughly 18 other related 2-digit series — including Computer and Information Sciences (11), Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (30, where general data science and analytics programs often sit), Engineering Technologies (15), Social Sciences (45, covering things like econometrics and geographic information science), and several others — but only at the precise 6-digit codes DHS has designated, not automatically across the whole series. This means two similarly named programs at different schools — or even two concentrations within the same school — can have different CIP codes and therefore different STEM OPT eligibility.
Comparison: How Eligibility Varies by Field
| CIP Series | STEM OPT Eligible? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 14.xxxx — Engineering | Yes, essentially the whole series | Broad category-wide eligibility |
| 26.xxxx — Biological/Biomedical Sciences | Yes, essentially the whole series | Broad category-wide eligibility |
| 27.xxxx — Mathematics and Statistics | Yes, essentially the whole series | Broad category-wide eligibility |
| 40.xxxx — Physical Sciences | Yes, essentially the whole series | Broad category-wide eligibility |
| 11.xxxx — Computer and Information Sciences | Only at specific listed codes | E.g., Computer Science, Informatics, Artificial Intelligence — check the exact 6-digit code |
| 30.xxxx — Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | Only at specific listed codes | Includes some data science, data analytics, and computational science codes |
| 52.xxxx — Business, Management, Marketing | Only at very specific listed codes | Standard MBA (52.0201) is generally not included; specific analytics-focused codes may be |
| 45.xxxx — Social Sciences | Only at specific listed codes | Econometrics and geographic information science/cartography are commonly listed |
Step-by-Step: Confirming Your Degree Qualifies
- Find the CIP code on your Form I-20. Your DSO records this based on how your school's registrar classified your specific program — don't assume based on your diploma's degree title.
- Check the exact 6-digit code against DHS's current STEM Designated Degree Program List, available through Study in the States / ICE's SEVIS resources.
- If your code isn't listed, ask your DSO whether the program can be reclassified — some schools have successfully petitioned to update a program's CIP code designation, though this isn't guaranteed or quick.
- Don't assume a "sounds STEM" title is enough. Programs like general business degrees, standard economics, or many social science majors are not automatically included unless their specific 6-digit code appears on the list.
- If you have a double major or a specific concentration, confirm which CIP code applies to the credential actually reflected on your I-20, since concentrations within the same broader major can carry different codes.
Why the Exact Code — Not the Degree Title — Decides This
Because DHS designates STEM OPT eligibility at the CIP code level, not the department or degree-title level, students are sometimes surprised to learn a program they assumed qualified doesn't, or vice versa. Confirming the precise 6-digit code with your DSO — early, ideally before you're relying on it for a STEM OPT extension application — avoids a late, stressful scramble near your 12-month OPT expiration.
FAQ
Does my degree qualify for STEM OPT just because it has "science" or "technology" in the title? Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the specific 6-digit CIP code assigned to your program, not the degree title — some technical-sounding programs aren't on the list, and some non-obvious ones are.
Where do I find my program's official CIP code? It's listed on your Form I-20, assigned by your school's registrar based on how the program is officially classified — ask your DSO if you're unsure where to find it.
Can two students with the same major title have different STEM OPT eligibility? Yes, if their schools classified the program under different CIP codes, or if one student is in a specific STEM-designated concentration and the other isn't.
What if my program's CIP code isn't currently on the DHS STEM list? You generally won't qualify for the STEM OPT extension unless your school successfully updates the program's CIP code classification — ask your DSO whether that's a realistic option for your situation.