ICE Notice Amending the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List

On July 22, 2024, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Federal Register notice, announcing the addition of one Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code to the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List.  The CIP code being added to the list is Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (03.0204).

The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List is a complete list of fields of study that DHS considers to be science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) for the purpose of the 24-month STEM extension of optional practical training (OPT). As part of the 2016 STEM OPT final rule, “Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students,” DHS noted that it envisioned making “periodic updates to the STEM list in response to changes in STEM fields, academic programs, or technological trends” and would “review recommendations from the public concerning potential additions or deletions to the list.” After reviewing nominations submitted by interested parties, including members of the public, DHS is adding one field of study, as identified by a unique CIP code, to the list. No CIP codes or fields of study have been removed from the list as part of this update.

Additional information on how to nominate CIP codes can be found at ICE.gov/SEVIS/Schools, under the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List and CIP Code Nomination Process header.