New Social Science Fields Added to DHS List of STEM Programs

On January 21, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) updated its list of STEM Designated Degree Programs. F-1-visa-holding students completing degrees within these fields of study may apply for 24-month extensions to their visas to undertake optional practical training (OPT). A number of the fields added to the list are relevant to the social and behavioral sciences, including:

• Human-Centered Technology Design
• Anthrozoology
• Economics and Computer Science
• Geography and Environmental Studies
• Mathematical Economics
• Data Science, General
• Data Analytics, General, and
• Business Analytics.

The Federal Register notice announcing the change includes more information about the process for petitioning to add fields to the DHS list, as well as more information about each selected field.