STEM-Designated Programs and OPT Work Permit Extensions
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency publishes a list of STEM-designated programs which allows holders of certain Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees to obtain an additional 24-month OPT work permit extension, in addition to the 12-month post-completion OPT work permit. Essentially, a STEM degree allows for a total OPT time of 36 months, compared to 12 months for non-STEM degrees. Graduate certificate programs are not eligible for the OPT work permit extension.
Please see the STEM-list programs provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the most up-to-date information. Corresponding UNC Charlotte STEM designated programs listed below, may qualify for the OPT extension.
| DOCTORAL PROGRAMS | CIP CODE |
|---|---|
| Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Ph.D. | 26.1103 |
| Biology, Ph.D. | 26.0101 |
| Computing and Information Systems, Ph.D. | 11.0101 |
|
Data Science, Ph.D. -new program pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) -anticipating approval in early 2025 for fall 2025 admission |
11.0701 |
| Educational Research, Measurement and Evaluation, Ph.D. | 13.0601 |
| Electrical Engineering, Ph.D. | 14.1001 |
| Infrastructure and Environmental Systems, Ph.D. | 30.3301 |
| Mathematics (Applied), Ph.D. | 27.0301 |
| Mechanical Engineering, Ph.D. | 14.1901 |
| Nanoscale Science, Ph.D. | 40.9999 |
| Optical Science and Engineering, Ph.D. | 40.0807 |
| MASTER'S PROGRAMS | CIP CODE |
|---|---|
| Applied Energy and Electromechanical Systems, M.S. | 14.9999 |
| Architecture, M.Arch. | 04.0902 |
| Architecture, M.S. | 04.0902 |
| Bioinformatics, M.S. | 26.1103 |
| Biology, M.S. | 26.0101 |
| Chemistry, M.S. | 40.0501 |
| Civil Engineering, MSCE | 14.0801 |
| Computer Engineering, M.S. | 14.0901 |
| Computer Science, M.S. | 11.0701 |
| Construction and Facilities Management, M.S. | 15.9999 |
| Cybersecurity, M.S. | 11.1003 |
| Data Science and Business Analytics, M.S. | 52.1399 |
| Earth Sciences, M.S. | 40.0601 |
| Economics, M.S. | 45.0603 |
| Electrical Engineering, MSEE | 14.1001 |
| Engineering Management, M.S. | 15.1501 |
| Fire Protection and Safety Management, M.S. | 15.9999 |
| Health Informatics and Analytics, M.S. | 51.2706 |
| Information Technology, M.S. | 11.0103 |
| Learning, Design, and Technology, MED | 13.0501 |
| Mathematical Finance, M.S. | 27.0305 |
| Mathematics, M.S. | 27.0101 |
| Mechanical Engineering, MSME | 14.1901 |
| Optical Science and Engineering, M.S. | 40.0807 |
| Physics (Applied), M.S. | 40.0801 |
| Psychology, Industrial/Organizational, MA | 42.2804 |