Thursday, June 12, 2008

CIP Codes and OPT extension to 29 months for STEM students (UPDATED 1/3/2012)

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 certain fields.  DHS has designated individual CIP codes occurring within CIP family/related fields.  The following families have certain individual CIP codes that are eligible for the STEM extension.  Not all codes are eligible in each family.

• Agriculture, Agriculture Operations & Related Science CIP Family 01.xxxx
• Natural Resources & Conservation CIP Family 03.xxxx
• Communication, Journalism & Related Programs CIP Family 09.xxxx
• Communications Technologies/Technicians & Support Services CIP Family 10.xxxx
• Computer, Information Sciences & Support Services CIP Family 11.xxxx
• Education CIP Family 13.xxxx
• Engineering CIP Family 14.xxxx
• Engineering Technologies & Engineering-Related Fields CIP Family 15.xxxx
• Biological and Biomedical Sciences CIP Family 26.xxxx
• Mathematics and Statistics CIP Family 27.xxxx
• Military Technologies & Applied Science CIP Family 29.xxxx
• Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies CIP Family 30.xxxx
• Physical Sciences CIP Family 40.xxxx
• Science Technologies/Technicians CIP Family 41.xxxx
• Psychology CIP Family 42.xxxx
• Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services CIP Family 43.xxxx
• Social Sciences CIP Family 45.xxxx
• Health Professions & Related Programs CIP Family Code 51.xxxx
• Business Management, Marketing, & Related Support Services CIP Family Code 52.xxxx

For the entire list of individual eligible CIP codes for the STEM extension, consult SEVP website.

Note that CMU does not offer degrees in all of the eligible fields.

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 2010)

The federal government publishes the CIP code list (updated for 2010): Classification of Instructional Programs and appropriate codes are assigned to each major by institutions.  The older list of codes from 2000 is also available: CIP code list (2000).

The SEVP websitehas 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 (UPDATED)

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:

• Carnegie Institute of Technology (College of Engineering)
• College of Humanities & Social Sciences
• H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy & Management
• Mellon College of Science
• School of Computer Science
• Tepper School of Business: Computational Finance and PhD
  

The following college does 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

Carnegie Institute of Technology (College of Engineering)

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

H. John Heinz III School of Public Policy and Management

Mellon College of Science

School of Computer Science

Tepper School of Business

Last Updated:  January 4, 2012