Overview
The STEM OPT Extension allows eligible F-1 students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields to extend their post-completion OPT by an additional 24 months.
Basic Eligibility
To be eligible for STEM OPT, you must:
- Be currently on approved post-completion OPT
- Have a degree in an eligible STEM field
- Have a job offer related to your degree
- Work for an employer enrolled in E-Verify
STEM-Eligible Degree Programs (CIP Codes)
Eligibility for STEM OPT is based on your program’s CIP (Classification of Instructional Programs) code listed on your Form I-20.
Review the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List below to determine eligibility.
Below is a table of the STEM-OPT Extension Eligible majors and concentrations at CSUSB (as of 04/25/2024):
Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Programs at CSUSB Eligible for STEM-OPT Extension:
| Major/Concentration by College | CIP Code |
|---|---|
| Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration | 2 Majors, 6 Concentrations |
| 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 | 16 majors, 27 concentrations |
| 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 | 3 majors, 6 concentrations |
| 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 |
Graduate (Master's) Programs at CSUSB Eligible for STEM-OPT Extension:
| Major/Concentration by College | CIP Code |
|---|---|
| Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration | 2 majors, 3 concentrations |
| 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 | 1 major/concentration |
| M.A. Instructional Design and Technology | 13.0501 |
| College of Extended and Global Education | 2 majors |
| M.S. Business and Data Analytics | 52.1301 |
| M.S. Cybersecurity and Analytics | 11.1003 |
| College of Natural Sciences | 5 majors/concentrations |
| 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 | 2 majors, 3 concentrations |
| 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 |
Important Requirements
- Employment must be directly related to your STEM degree
- You must complete a formal training plan (Form I-983)
- You must receive authorization before your OPT expires
STEM OPT Reporting Requirements
Students on STEM OPT have additional reporting requirements.
You must:
- Report employment updates through the SEVP Portal
- Complete required evaluations with your employer
- Submit updates to ISSS as required
Failure to meet reporting requirements may result in the loss of your immigration status.
Common Questions
Every six months from your OPT start date you will log into SEVP Portal and verify your contact information and employment information is up to date. You will then email iss@csusb.edu and verify that your information is up to date, and you are turning in your 6 month report.
Every year, or when you leave your current employment, you will turn in a Self-Evaluation signed off by your supervisor.
You can ask your boss or another person in charge of your employment to sign off on it. Otherwise, let me know that your employer won’t follow through. Either way, turn in your I-983 evaluation form so that you can show that you are following the rules.
A DSO can state that you reported within 46 days of your current report cycle. Outside that time, the link is unavailable.
The uncertainty surrounding the failure to report is one major reason why you should be diligent about their reporting dates (we recommend circling them on a calendar or setting a reminder for yourself). In the end, if you fail to report you must accept your mistake and hope that it does not cause future issues.
You may need to consult an immigration attorney for help should you find yourself in a unwanted situation.
Failure to report required information may result in your SEVIS record being terminated.
How to Apply
To apply for STEM OPT:
- Contact ISSS to review your eligibility
- Review the STEM OPT Information Session.
- Complete required documentation (including Form I-983)
- Complete the STEM OPT Request Form with ISSS.
- Receive and sign your updated Form I-20 with a STEM OPT recommendation.
- Submit your OPT extension application to USCIS
Final Reminder
STEM OPT has additional responsibilities beyond standard OPT. It is your responsibility to maintain accurate reporting and comply with all requirements.