- CIP Codes and OPT extension to 29 months for STEM students
- OPT Regulation Changes Effective 4/8/2008
- H-1B Cap Update
- 29 month OPT - final interim rule PENDING
- Continuing Students: Fall Registration Week
- Are you graduating in May?
- Curricular Practical Training
- Spring Break Travel Advice
- Tax Filing Info for Foreign Students
- Tax Filing Info for Foreign J Scholars
- Non-Resident Tax Services at Carnegie Mellon
- H1B Cap Update for Fiscal Year 09
- OPT Sessions for Spring Graduates
- International Student Responsibilities
Announcements
Office of International Education
CIP Codes and OPT extension to 29 months for STEM students
On April 8, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim final regulation, effective immediately, which significantly changes Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 students. Below is detailed information about the portion of the rule regarding the 17-month extension of OPT for majors with certain CIP codes. For more information about the rule itself, click here.
Overview of SEVP selected CIP Codes
Explanation of Department of Education CIP Codes
Carnegie Mellon University Majors and Assigned CIP Codes
Overview of SEVP selected CIP Codes
The 12 month limit on F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT) may be extended by 17 months, for a total of 29 months, for certain STEM degree holders (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) in the following fields:
- Actuarial Science. CIP Code 52.1304.
- Computer Science Applications:
- CIP Codes 11.xxxx (except Data Entry/Microcomputer Applications, which are CIP Codes 11.06xx)
- Engineering. CIP Codes 14.xxxx.
- Engineering Technologies. CIP Codes 15.xxxx.
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences. CIP Codes 26.xxxx.
- Mathematics and Statistics. CIP Codes 27.xxxx.
- Military Technologies. CIP Codes 29.xxxx.
- Physical Sciences. CIP Codes 40.xxxx.
- Science Technologies. CIP Codes 41.xxxx.
- Medical Scientist (MS, PhD). CIP Code 51.1401
Specifically excluded from the above codes, however, are all CIP codes ending in xx99, which are "catch-all" categories, generally designated by "Other" in the CIP lists. Degrees associated with CIP codes ending in xx99 are not eligible for the 17-month extension.
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2000)
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The federal government publishes the CIP code list: Classification of Instructional Programs and appropriate codes are assigned to each major by institutions. |
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The SEVP website has a complete list of the specific CIP codes included in the scope of the 17-month STEM OPT program.
Carnegie Mellon Majors and Assigned CIP Codes
Carnegie Mellon assigns a CIP code to each major. CIP codes are used for multiple reporting purposes including electronic communication with the SEVIS database for F-1 students. Students may not select their own CIP codes; codes are pre-assigned to each major at CMU.
Please note the Office of International Education (OIE) is not responsible for the assignment of CIP codes. Two CMU administrative offices work with academic departments to assign CIP codes. Conversations (if any) that are undertaken about CIP code relevancy will occur between those units and will not involve individual students.
At Carnegie Mellon, some colleges have numerous majors that will allow F-1 students to benefit from the new 17 month STEM OPT extension, some colleges have only one or two majors, and some colleges have none. A listing of majors and assigned CIP codes that WILL be eligible for the 17 month STEM OPT extension are posted by college:
- CIT – Carnegie Institute of Technology (College of Engineering)
- H&SS – College of Humanities & Social Sciences
- Heinz – H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy & Management
- MCS – Mellon College of Science
- CS – School of Computer Science
The following two colleges do not offer any majors with assigned CIP codes that will allow F-1 students to benefit from the 17 month STEM OPT extension:
- College of Fine Arts
- Tepper School of Business
Updated 5/06/2008