What is STEM?

STEM refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM is an education grouping used in the USA that refers to studies in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. STEM encourages the idea of educating students in the four specific disciplines in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than the four disciplines being taught as separate subjects, STEM integrates them that gets students ready for real-world applications.

STEM Courses in USA

Let’s make the understanding of a STEM degree courses in the USA simple for you:

• If you select to study a STEM course and graduate in a STEM field, you are eligible to remain in the US for an additional 24 months on an (Optional Practical Training) OPT STEM Extension
• Students who have successfully finished either their Bachelors, Masters or PhD degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) are eligible to apply
• Students who are hoping to study MS in US can verify if their MS program falls in the STEM category. Its best to check with the University (not all similar sounding programs are STEM courses!)
• Whether a particular program is a STEM program is based on the curriculum developed by the US University for that particular program. This information is either available on the University’s website or students can specifically ask the University. All programs in the STEM fields (listed below) do NOT automatically qualify to become STEM degrees
• Based on job prospects, students with STEM degree in the following fields are in great demand: computing (computer networking, system analysis, software engineering, management information systems (MIS), cloud computing, computer science) and mostly all engineering degree programs

You may qualify for an additional 24 months of OPT under the following circumstances:

• Your degree for your current period of post-completion OPT is a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree in a STEM courses in USA program listed on the Department of Homeland Security’s STEM designated degree program list (STEM fields are listed below)
• Job or a job offer that is directly related to the STEM field of study
• The employer from which you are seeking work uses the E-Verify Program.
• You have not already received a 17-month stem extension of OPT ie. only one 24-month extension is possible, regardless of how many degrees in the US you obtain. If you received a STEM extension for bachelor’s degree, you are not eligible for a STEM extension at the Masters or PhD level
• Must apply for the 24-month extension before your initial 12 month period of OPT ends
• May not request the Stem extended months in the initial OPT application; must apply for initial 12 months of post-completion OPT first

“STEM Degree Courses in the USA” List

1. Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture
2. Animal Sciences
3. Agricultural Animal Breeding
4. Animal Health
5. Animal Nutrition
6. Dairy Science
7. Livestock Management
8. Poultry Science
9. Animal Sciences
10. Food Science
11. Food Technology and Processing
12. Food Science and Technology
13. Plant Sciences
14. Agronomy and Crop Science
15. Horticultural Science
16. Agricultural and Horticultural Plant Breeding
17. Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management
18. Range Science and Management
19. Plant Sciences
20. Soil Science and Agronomy
21. Soil Chemistry and Physics
22. Soil Microbiology
23. Soil Sciences
24. Natural Resources/Conservation
25. Environmental Studies
26. Environmental Science
27. Natural Resources Conservation and Research
28. Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management
29. Forest Sciences and Biology
30. Urban Forestry
31. Wood Science and Wood Products/Pulp and Paper Technology
32. Wildlife, Fish and Wildlands Science and Management
33. Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
34. Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
35. Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects
36. Computer and Information Sciences
37. Artificial Intelligence
38. Information Technology
39. Informatics
40. Computer and Information Sciences
41. Computer Programming/Programmer
42. Computer Programming, Specific Applications
43. Computer Programming, Vendor/Product Certification
44. Computer Programming
45. Data Processing and Data Processing Technology/Technician
46. Information Science/Studies
47. Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst
48. Computer Science
49. Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
50. Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
51. Computer Graphics
52. Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
53. Computer Software and Media Applications
54. Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
55. Network and System Administration/Administrator
56. System, Networking, and LAN/WAN Management/Manager
57. Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance
58. Web/Multimedia Management and Webmaster
59. Information Technology Project Management11 111006 Computer Support Specialist
60. Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management
61. Educational/Instructional Technology
62. Educational Evaluation and Research
63. Educational Statistics and Research Methods
64. Engineering
65. Pre-Engineering
66. Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering
67. Agricultural Engineering
68. Architectural Engineering
69. Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
70. Ceramic Sciences and Engineering
71. Chemical Engineering
72. Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
73. Chemical Engineering
74. Civil Engineering
75. Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
76. Structural Engineering
77. Transportation and Highway Engineering
78. Water Resources Engineering
79. Civil Engineering
80. Computer Engineering
81. Computer Hardware Engineering
82. Computer Software Engineering
83. Computer Engineering
84. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
85. Laser and Optical Engineering
86. Telecommunications Engineering
87. Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
88. Engineering Mechanics
89. Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
90. Engineering Science14 141401 Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
91. Materials Engineering
92. Mechanical Engineering
93. Metallurgical Engineering
94. Mining and Mineral Engineering
95. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
96. Nuclear Engineering
97. Ocean Engineering
98. Petroleum Engineering
99. Systems Engineering
100. Textile Sciences and Engineering
101. Polymer/Plastics Engineering
102. Construction Engineering
103. Forest Engineering
104. Industrial Engineering
105. Manufacturing Engineering
106. Operations Research
107. Surveying Engineering
108. Geological/Geophysical Engineering
109. Paper Science and Engineering
110. Electromechanical Engineering
111. Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering
112. Biochemical Engineering
113. Engineering Chemistry
114. Biological/Biosystems Engineering
115. Engineering
116. Engineering Technology
117. Architectural Engineering Technology/Technician
118. Civil Engineering Technology/Technician
119. Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering
120. Laser and Optical Technology/Technician
121. Telecommunications Integrated Circuit Design
122. Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians
123. Biomedical Technology/Technician
124. Electromechanical Technology/Electromechanical Engineering
125. Instrumentation Technology/Technician
126. Robotics Technology/Technician
127. Automation Engineer Technology/Technician
128. Electromechanical and Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians
129. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
130. Energy Management and Systems Technology/Technician
131. Solar Energy Technology/Technician
132. Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment Management and Recycling
133. Environmental Engineering Technology/Environmental Technology
134. Hazardous Materials Management and Waste Technology/Technician
135. Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians
136. Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/Technician
137. Metallurgical Technology/Technician
138. Industrial Technology/Technician
139. Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician
140. Welding Engineering Technology/Technician
141. Chemical Engineering Technology/Technician
142. Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology
143. Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
144. Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician
145. Quality Control Technology/Technician
146. Industrial Safety Technology/Technician
147. Hazardous Materials Information Systems Technology/Technician
148. Quality Control and Safety Technologies/Technicians
149. Aeronautical/Aerospace
150. Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician
151. Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician
152. Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
153. Mining Technology/Technician
154. Petroleum Technology/Technician
155. Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians
156. Construction Engineering Technology/Technician
157. Surveying Technology/Surveying
158. Hydraulics and Fluid Power Technology/Technician
159. Computer Engineering Technology/Technician
160. Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology
161. Computer Hardware Technology/Technician
162. Computer Software Technology/Technician
163. Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians
164. Drafting and Design Technology/Technician
165. CAD/CADD Drafting and/or Design Technology/Technician
166. Architectural Drafting and Architectural CAD/CADD
167. Civil Drafting and Civil Engineering CAD/CADD
168. Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD
169. Mechanical Drafting and Mechanical Drafting CAD/CADD
170. Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
171. Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician
172. Engineering/Industrial Management
173. Engineering Design
174. Packaging Science
175. Engineering-Related Fields
176. Nanotechnology
177. Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
178. Biology/Biological Sciences
179. Biomedical Sciences26 260202 Biochemistry
180. Biophysics
181. Molecular Biology
182. Molecular Biochemistry
183. Molecular Biophysics
184. Structural Biology
185. Photobiology
186. Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
187. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
188. Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
189. Botany/Plant Biology
190. Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
191. Plant Physiology
192. Plant Molecular Biology
193. Botany/Plant Biology
194. Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
195. Anatomy
196. Developmental Biology and Embryology
197. Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
198. Cell Biology and Anatomy
199. Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
200. Microbiology
201. Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
202. Virology
203. Parasitology
204. Mycology
205. Immunology
206. Microbiology and Immunology
207. Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
208. Zoology/Animal Biology
209. Entomology
210. Animal Physiology
211. Animal Behavior and Ethology
212. Wildlife Biology
213. Zoology/Animal Biology
214. Genetics
215. Molecular Genetics
216. Microbial and Eukaryotic Genetics
217. Animal Genetics
218. Plant Genetics
219. Human/Medical Genetics
220. Genome Sciences/Genomics
221. Genetics
222. Physiology
223. Molecular Physiology
224. Cell Physiology
225. Endocrinology
226. Reproductive Biology
227. Cardiovascular Science
228. Exercise Physiology
229. Vision Science/Physiological Optics
230. Pathology/Experimental Pathology
231. Oncology and Cancer Biology
232. Aerospace Physiology and Medicine
233. Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences
234. Pharmacology
235. Molecular Pharmacology
236. Neuropharmacology
237. Toxicology
238. Molecular Toxicology
239. Environmental Toxicology
240. Pharmacology and Toxicology
241. Pharmacology and Toxicology
242. Biometry/Biometrics26 261102 Biostatistics
243. Bioinformatics
244. Computational Biology
245. Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
246. Biotechnology
247. Ecology
248. Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
249. Evolutionary Biology
250. Aquatic Biology/Limnology
251. Environmental Biology
252. Population Biology
253. Conservation Biology
254. Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics
255. Epidemiology
256. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
257. Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology
258. Molecular Medicine
259. Neuroscience
260. Neuroanatomy
261. Neurobiology and Anatomy
262. Neurobiology and Behavior
263. Neurobiology and Neurosciences
264. Biological and Biomedical Sciences
265. Mathematics
266. Algebra and Number Theory
267. Analysis and Functional Analysis
268. Geometry/Geometric Analysis
269. Topology and Foundations
270. Mathematics
271. Applied Mathematics
272. Computational Mathematics
273. Computational and Applied Mathematics27 270305 Financial Mathematics
274. Mathematical Biology
275. Applied Mathematics
276. Statistics
277. Mathematical Statistics and Probability
278. Mathematics and Statistics
279. Statistics
280. Mathematics and Statistics
281. Air Science/Airpower Studies
282. Air and Space Operational Art and Science
283. Naval Science and Operational Studies
284. Intelligence
285. Strategic Intelligence
286. Signal/Geospatial Intelligence
287. Command & Control (C3, C4I) Systems and Operations
288. Information Operations/Joint Information Operations
289. Information/Psychological Warfare and Military Media Relations
290. Cyber/Electronic Operations and Warfare
291. ntelligence, Command Control and Information Operations
292. Combat Systems Engineering
293. Directed Energy Systems
294. Engineering Acoustics
295. Low-Observables and Stealth Technology
296. Space Systems Operations
297. Operational Oceanography
298. Undersea Warfare
299. Military Applied Sciences
300. Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology
301. Air and Space Operations Technology
302. Aircraft Armament Systems Technology
303. Explosive Ordinance/Bomb Disposal
304. Joint Command/Task Force (C3, C4I) Systems
305. Military Information Systems Technology
306. Missile and Space Systems Technology
307. Munitions Systems/Ordinance Technology
308. Radar Communications and Systems Technology
309. Military Systems and Maintenance Technology
310. Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
311. Biological and Physical Sciences
312. Systems Science and Theory
313. Mathematics and Computer Science
314. Biopsychology
315. Behavioral Sciences
316. Natural Sciences
317. Nutrition Sciences
318. Cognitive Science
319. Human Biology
320. Computational Science
321. Human Computer Interaction
322. Marine Sciences
323. Sustainability Studies
324. Physical Sciences
325. Astronomy
326. Astrophysics
327. Planetary Astronomy and Science
328. Astronomy and Astrophysics
329. Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
330. Atmospheric Chemistry and Climatology
331. Atmospheric Physics and Dynamics
332. Meteorology
333. Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
334. Chemistry
335. Analytical Chemistry
336. Inorganic Chemistry
337. Organic Chemistry
338. Physical Chemistry
339. Polymer Chemistry
340. Chemical Physics
341. Environmental Chemistry
342. Forensic Chemistry
343. Theoretical Chemistry
344. Chemistry
345. Geology/Earth Science
346. Geochemistry
347. Geophysics and Seismology
348. Paleontology
349. Hydrology and Water Resources Science
350. Geochemistry and Petrology
351. Oceanography, Chemical and Physical
352. Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
353. Physics
354. Atomic/Molecular Physics
355. Elementary Particle Physics
356. Plasma and High-Temperature Physics
357. Nuclear Physics
358. Optics/Optical Sciences
359. Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
360. Acoustics
361. Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
362. Physics
363. Materials Science
364. Materials Chemistry
365. Materials Sciences
366. Physical Sciences
367. Science Technologies/Technicians
368. Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician
369. Industrial Radiologic Technology/Technician
370. Nuclear/Nuclear Power Technology/Technician
371. Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians
372. Chemical Technology/Technician
373. Chemical Process Technology
374. Physical Science Technologies/Technicians
375. Science Technologies/Technicians
376. Cognitive Psychology and Psycholinguistics
377. Comparative Psychology
378. Developmental and Child Psychology
379. Experimental Psychology
380. Personality Psychology
381. Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
382. Social Psychology
383. Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology
384. Psychopharmacology
385. Research and Experimental Psychology
386. Forensic Science and Technology
387. Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism
388. Archeology
389. Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
390. Geographic Information Science and Cartography
391. Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology
392. Cytotechnology/Cytotechnologist
393. Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist
394. Medical Scientist
395. Pharmaceutics and Drug Design
396. Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
397. Natural Products Chemistry and Pharmacognosy
398. Clinical and Industrial Drug Development
399. Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics
400. Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences51
401. Pharmaceutical Sciences
402. Environmental Health
403. Health/Medical Physics
404. Veterinary Anatomy
405. Veterinary Physiology
406. Veterinary Microbiology and Immunobiology
407. Veterinary Pathology and Pathobiology
408. Veterinary Toxicology and Pharmacology
409. Veterinary Preventive Medicine Epidemiology and Public Health
410. Veterinary Infectious Diseases
411. Medical Informatics
412. Management Science
413. Business Statistics
414. Actuarial Science
415. Management Science and Quantitative Methods

Source: ICE.gov

Our recommendation for MS applicants especially:

While selecting your Universities to study in the United States, ensure that you know whether your selected program is a STEM classified degree courses in USA. This will allow you the regular 1 year OPT + 2 year STEM extension ie. a total of 3 years to work in the US after your Masters.

If you are unsure whether your program is a STEM courses in USA program, feel free to email us at [email protected] or contact us and we can quickly verify the same for you and respond.