STEM OPT Extension
F-1 students with certain science, technology, engineering, or mathematics degrees may be eligible to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension after post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).
STEM OPT has additional requirements for both students and employers. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can help you understand the CSUSB process, prepare your STEM OPT request, and find the information you need before applying.
Is My CSUSB Degree STEM Eligible?
Your degree program is one part of STEM OPT eligibility. If you are planning ahead, use the CSUSB STEM-Eligible Degree Program chart below to see whether your program is listed as STEM eligible.
STEM eligibility is based on the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code associated with the degree. You can find your CIP code on your Form I-20.
Being listed in the chart does not by itself confirm that you are eligible for STEM OPT. Other student, employment, and employer requirements also apply.
Major / Concentration by College | CIP Code |
|---|---|
Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration |
|
B.A. Administration, Business Analytics Concentration | 52.1301 |
B.A. Administration, Information Security Concentration | 11.1003 |
B.A. Administration, Information Systems & Technology Concentration | 11.0103 |
B.S. Information Systems & Technology, Business Intelligence and Analytics Concentration | 11.0103 |
B.S. Information Systems & Technology, Cyber Security Concentration | 11.0103 |
B.S. Information Systems & Technology, National Security Concentration | 11.0103 |
College of Natural Sciences |
|
B.S. Bioinformatics | 26.1103 |
B.S. Biology | 26.0101 |
B.A. Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration | 26.0202 |
B.A. Chemistry, Chemistry Concentration | 40.0501 |
B.S. Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration | 26.0202 |
B.S. Chemistry, Chemistry Concentration | 40.0501 |
B.S. Computer Engineering | 14.0901 |
B.S. Computer Science | 11.0701 |
B.A. Computer Systems, Game Development Concentration | 11.0199 |
B.A. Computer Systems, General Interdisciplinary Concentration | 11.0199 |
B.A. Computer Systems, System Administration Concentration | 11.0199 |
B.S. Environmental Health Science | 51.2202 |
B.A. Geology, Field and Applied Geology Concentration | 40.0601 |
B.A. Geology, General Geology Concentration | 40.0601 |
B.S. Geology, Environmental Geology Concentration | 40.0601 |
B.S. Geology, General Geology Concentration | 40.0601 |
B.A. Mathematics | 27.0101 |
B.S. Mathematics, Applied Mathematics Concentration | 27.0301 |
B.S. Mathematics, General Mathematics Concentration | 27.0101 |
B.S. Mathematics, Teaching Mathematics Concentration | 27.0101 |
B.S. Natural Science, Biology Concentration | 30.1801 |
B.S. Natural Science, Chemistry Concentration | 30.1801 |
B.S. Natural Science, Physics Concentration | 30.1801 |
B.S. Natural Science, Science and Society Concentration | 30.1801 |
B.S. Nutritional Science and Dietetics | 30.1901 |
B.A. Physics | 40.0801 |
B.S. Physics | 40.0801 |
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
|
B.A. Environmental Studies, Environmental Sustainability Concentration | 03.0103 |
B.S. Environmental Studies, Environmental Systems Concentration | 03.0103 |
B.A. Psychology, Biological Psychology Concentration | 42.2706 |
B.A. Psychology, Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration | 42.2804 |
B.A. Psychology, Pre-Biological Psychology Concentration | 42.2706 |
B.A. Psychology, Pre-Industrial and Organizational Psychology Concentration | 42.2804 |
Major / Concentration by College | CIP Code |
|---|---|
Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration |
|
M.B.A., Cyber Security Concentration | 11.0103 |
M.S. Information Systems and Technology, Business Intelligence and Analytics Concentration | 11.0103 |
M.S. Information Systems and Technology, Cyber Security Career Track Concentration | 11.1003 |
Watson College of Education |
|
M.A. Instructional Design and Technology | 13.0501 |
College of Extended and Global Education |
|
M.S. Business and Data Analytics | 52.1301 |
M.S. Cybersecurity and Analytics | 11.1003 |
College of Natural Sciences |
|
M.S. Biology | 26.0101 |
M.S. Computer Science | 11.0701 |
M.S. Environmental Sciences | 03.0104 |
M.S. Geology | 40.0601 |
M.A. Mathematics | 27.0101 |
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences |
|
M.S. Industrial and Organizational Psychology | 42.2804 |
M.S. Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience Concentration | 42.2799 |
M.S. Psychology, General Concentration | 42.2799 |
Learn About STEM OPT Before You Apply
Before requesting your STEM OPT I-20, complete the STEM OPT Information Session in the Coyote International Portal.
The information session explains the STEM OPT process, important eligibility considerations, student and employer responsibilities, and what you will need to prepare for your request.
Complete the information session and its required quiz before moving to the STEM OPT I-20 request.
Start the STEM OPT Information Session
Portal request: 05A: Info Session - STEM OPT Extension (This request is only available if you are on Active OPT and have a STEM Eligible CIP Code on your I-20)
Request Your STEM OPT I-20
When you are ready to move forward, submit the STEM OPT I-20 request through the Coyote International Portal.
- Complete the STEM OPT Information Session and quiz.
- Prepare the information and documents requested through the portal, including the required Form I-983 training plan.
- Submit the 05B STEM OPT I-20 Extension request.
- ISSS will review your request and contact you if additional information or corrections are needed.
- If ISSS recommends the STEM OPT extension, you will receive an updated Form I-20 showing the STEM OPT recommendation.
- Follow the current USCIS instructions to submit your STEM OPT application.
Portal request: 05B STEM OPT I-20 Extension
After You Receive Your STEM OPT I-20
Receiving the updated Form I-20 from ISSS does not complete the STEM OPT application. The Form I-20 contains the school's STEM OPT recommendation.
Review the current USCIS filing instructions carefully and submit your STEM OPT application directly to USCIS within the applicable filing period.
USCIS, not CSUSB, decides the STEM OPT employment authorization application.
Already on STEM OPT?
Students on STEM OPT have ongoing reporting responsibilities after the extension begins.
For employment updates, validation reports, evaluations, Form I-983 updates, and other STEM OPT reporting, use the dedicated OPT & STEM OPT Reporting page.
Official STEM OPT Resources
Federal requirements and application instructions can change. Use official federal resources for current STEM OPT requirements and USCIS filing information.
USCIS: Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
Form I-983: Training Plan for STEM OPT Students (PDF)