22 New Fields of Study Added to STEM OPT Programs in the US

We have some exciting news for students who aim to study in the USA in the coming years. There are 22 new fields being introduced in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program for international students in the US.

This news was announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in January 2022. These fields are introduced to enhance the contributions of non-immigrant students and support the growth of the economy and innovation of the US. If you are planning to study in the US then this article will be of great help to you as we will be mentioning the list of new courses, and the benefits of this policy change for international students.

22 New Fields in STEM

Here’s the list of the 22 new fields of study introduced to expand the STEM professional opportunities in the US. Students planning to study in USA can now opt for their desired STEM related course:

1. Bioenergy
2. General Forestry
3. Forest Resources Production and Management
4. Cloud Computing
5. Anthrozoology
6. Climate Science
7. Earth Systems Science
8. Economics and Computer Science
9. Environmental Geosciences
10. Geobiology
11. Geography And Environmental Studies
12. Mathematical Economics
13. Mathematics and Atmospheric and Oceanic Science
14. Financial Analytics
15. Industrial and Organizational Psychology
16. Data Analytics
17. Social Sciences
18. Human-Centred Technology Design
19. Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods
20. General Data Science
21. General Data Analytics
22. Business Analytics and Data Visualisation

You can check for your most desired STEM combination now choosing one from the above list or those that were available earlier in the US universities.

How will these changes benefit students?

Non-immigrant students wanting to pursue education USA can now avail many benefits from this policy change. The major benefits of this new policy are mentioned below.

36 Months to Work in your Field of Study

• F-1 students pursuing bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees in certain STEM subjects are eligible to work in the United States for up to 36 months under the STEM OPT program. o
• The addition of 22 new disciplines of study will ensure a broader range of degree options in competitive STEM fields for international students looking for higher studies in the United States.

USCIS Policy Manual Guidance

• DHS is also updating and innovating better policy manual guidelines from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• USCIS is amending guidelines to explain how some STEM graduates and entrepreneurs might qualify for an advanced degree professional non-citizen or a non-citizen of exceptional ability under the national interest waiver for employment-based immigrant visa classification.
• The amended guidelines specify how to use the programme, making it easier for noncitizens with required abilities, such as STEM graduates and entrepreneurs, to begin the process of obtaining lawful permanent resident status in the US.

It is essential for students to be aware of these changes as these new changes improve the opportunities for international students aiming to pursue higher education and work in the US.

To gain further in-depth guidelines related to this new development you can consult KC’s US Education experts who will not just give relevant information but guide and assist you with the entire process in any of the 200 US universities that we are collaborated with or in universities of your choice.

KC Overseas Education has been in the study abroad sector for the last 25 years. With a multinational presence across India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam, we are well within the reach of students across South Asia. We provide assistance to students who aim to pursue higher education abroad, from application to admission, test preparation to education loan and visa processing.

Select the best STEM combination that resonates with your Career aspirations & apply for the same in your desired US universities through KC.