US Adds New Majors Under STEM OPT for International Students 2023
In a recent announcement, those studying STEM courses in the US will see new additions to the list of majors of STEM OPT, which will prove beneficial for international students. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have amended the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List by adding 08 fields of study coming under this list of qualifications.
Apart from the already existing 22 fields of study which are eligible for STEM OPT extension, there are eight more added to the list. The 08 Majors that have been added which qualify for STEM OPT extension in the USA are as follows:
- Landscape Architecture
- Institutional Research
- Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering Technology/Technician
- Composite Materials Technology/Technician
- Linguistics and Computer Science
- Developmental and Adolescent Psychology
- Geospatial Intelligence
- Demography and Population Studies
This in turn will help students pursue training and academic-related benefits based on their major or course of study. Also, applicants will have to procure Form I-765 which is the Application for Employment Authorization in the US and Form I-983 which is for the Training Plan for STEM OPT Students. However, F-1 visa holders will have more options to choose from with new majors coming in and more and more international students will be able to apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension and be eligible to work in the USA. Also check: Difference between OPT and CPT.
The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:
- UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
- MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28
International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:
| Program | Minimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0) |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
| Graduate | 2.5 - 3.0 |
Read about the Grading System in the USA
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The university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.