On July 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security expanded the STEM Designated Degree Program List by incorporating eight additional fields of study. F-1 nonimmigrant students who successfully complete specific programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) now have the opportunity to apply for a twenty-four-month extension of their post-completion optional practical training.
The last update to the STEM list by DHS was documented in the Federal Register on January 21, 2022. This publication outlined the procedure for interested parties to propose the inclusion or removal of specific fields of study from the STEM list.