Office of International Student & Scholar Services

OPT and OPT STEM Extension

What is Optional Practical Training (OPT)?

OPT is authorized employment which is directly related to a student’s major area of study but is not integral to a student’s curriculum. It requires USCIS approval and can take up to 3 months to approve.
There are three types of OPT:

1.  (c3A) Pre-Completion OPT

  • Not recommended, contact a member of the OISSS team for more information.

2.  (c3B) Post-Completion OPT

  • Most commonly used OPT authorization.
  • Up to 12 months of authorized employment after the completion of a program of study and for no longer than 14 months from the program end date.
  • Can be paid or unpaid employment, 20 hours a week or more.
  • All majors are eligible.
  • Can apply up to 90 days before their program end date and up to 60 days after.
  • Don’t need a job offer to apply.
  • Submit an OPT Pre-Approval e-form via the iRocket Portal to begin application process.  Go to iRocket Portal.

3.  (c3C) STEM OPT Extension

  • Only STEM majors are eligible. 

    BA/BS/BBA/BSPS STEM Major List

    BA in Astronomy

    BA in Biology

    BA in Data Analytics

    BA in Economics

    BA in Environmental Studies

    BA in Geography

    BA in Psychology

    BBA in Information Systems

    BS in Construction Engineering Technology

    BS in Comp Sci and Engineering Technology

    BS in Electrical Engineering Technology

    BS in Bioengineering

    BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology

    BS in Biochemistry

    BS in Biology

    BS in Chemistry

    BS in Data Science

    BS in Environmental Sciences

    BS in Information Technology

    BS in Mathematics

    BS in Medical Lab Science

    BS in Neuroscience

    BS in Physics

    BS in Chemical Engineering

    BS in Computer Science

    BS in Environmental Engineering

    BS in Electrical Engineering

    BS in Mechanical Engineering

    BSPS in Cosmetic Science & Formulation Design

    BSPS in Pharmaceutics

    BSPS in Doctor of Pharmacy

    BS in Computer Science and Engineering

    BS in Civil Engineering

    MA/MBA/MABA/MS/ME/MSBS/MSPS STEM Major List

    MA in Economics

    MA in Geography

    MA in Psychology

    MABA in Applied Business Analytics

    MBA in Information Systems

    ME in Educational Technology

    MS in Engineering

    MS in Medicinal Chemistry

    MS in Biomedical Science-Bioinformatics

    MS in Biomedical Science-Cancer Biology

    MS in Biomedical Science-Medical Sciences

    MS in Biomedical Science-Transplantation Sciences

    MS in Biomedical Science-Molecular Medicine

    MS in Biomedical Science-Medical Physics

    MS in Biology

    MS in Chemistry

    MS in Cyber Security

    MS in Environmental Science

    MS in Geology

    MS in Mathematics

    MS in Physics

    MS in Bioengineering

    MSBS Assistant in Pathology

    MS in Chemical Engineering

    MS in Electrical Engineering

    MS in Mechanical Engineering

    MSPS in Industrial Pharmacy

    MSPS in Pharmacology and Toxicology

    MS in Civil Engineering

    PhD STEM Major List

    PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

    PhD in Manufacturing and Tech Management

    PhD in Engineering

    PhD in Biomedical Science

    PhD in Biomedical Science

    PhD in Biomedical Science

    PhD in Biology

    PhD in Biomedical Engineering

    PhD in Chemistry

    PhD in Curriculum-Instruction: Education Tech

    PhD in Environmental Science

    PhD in Experimental Therapeutics

    PhD in Mathematics

    PhD in Physics

    PhD in Psychology

    PhD in Spatially-Integrated Social Sciences

  • 24 months of authorized employment after the completion of a post-completion OPT.
  • Can apply up to 90 days before the end of post-completion OPT and no later than the end of post-completion OPT.
  • Job offer from an e-verify registered employer required to apply.
  • Must be paid employment, 20 hours a week or more.
  • Submit an OPT STEM Extension Request e-form via the iRocket Portal to begin application process. Go to iRocket Portal.

OPT Reporting Requirements

Students must report via the iRocket Portal using the OPT/STEM Employment Reporting e-form and choosing the appropriate Reason for Reporting category within the form. Go to iRocket Portal.

The first report required during OPT should use the reason category: Initial OPT Employment, and should be submitted within 10 days of beginning the first job on OPT.
Students on OPT are required to report every 6 months from the start of their approved OPT period.
During OPT any major changes to employment or home address must be reported within 10 days of the change.

OPT Resources

For more OPT Information, go to USCIS's OPT for F-1 Students

More STEM OPT Information, visit USCIS's OPT Training Extension for Stem Students

Calculate STEM OPT reporting dates at OPT Calculator Stem

See the list of Department of Homeland Security  Approved STEM Majors.   

Learn about applying for a STEM Extension using a previous degree at Department of Homeland Security's Determing STEM OPT Extension Eligibility.

Last Updated: 3/11/24