Is Your MPS Degree STEM? How CIP Codes Decide OPT Eligibility

A Master of Professional Studies can carry the word "STEM" on a university webpage and still leave a graduate ineligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. The label that matters is not the degree title. It is the six-digit CIP code attached to your specific program, which must appear on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM list.

Schools assign that code, and they assign it by track. A data analytics MPS and a community development MPS can sit in the same college with different codes and different OPT consequences. The code prints on your Form I-20 once you are admitted.

Short Answer: No, an MPS Is Not Automatically STEM

A school's marketing copy says one thing; a federal list says another. Only the second one counts for immigration purposes, so that is the one to trust.

No, a Master of Professional Studies is not automatically a STEM degree. STEM status depends on the program's CIP code, the federal classification attached to your field of study, not on whether the degree is called an MPS, MS, or anything else.

Marketed as STEM vs. STEM OPT eligible

A school may describe a program as "STEM-focused" because it teaches analytics, coding, or technical management. A program is federally STEM OPT eligible only when its classification places it on the Department of Homeland Security's STEM designated degree list. The first is a branding choice. The second is a legal status.

What actually decides eligibility

Three things determine whether an MPS graduate can claim the STEM OPT extension:

• CIP code on the I-20: The code your school assigns to your program must match what is printed on your Form I-20.
• DHS STEM list: That code must appear on the current DHS STEM designated degree list.
• Employer and school conditions: Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify and complete a training plan, and your school must be accredited and authorized to recommend the extension.

A program can fail at any one of these, so check all three rather than relying on a brochure.

Read the code on your I-20 yourself, and put the right questions to admissions before you enroll.

What Is a Master of Professional Studies (MPS)?

A Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a full master's degree built for practitioners rather than researchers. It sits at the same graduate level as an MS or an MA, but it is designed around applied skill rather than academic research.

A Master's Degree, Not a Certificate

MPS programs typically run 30 to 36 credits, and many are structured for students who are already working: evening, online, or hybrid formats, part-time pacing, and credit for relevant professional experience. Where an MS often culminates in a thesis, an MPS usually ends with a capstone project, a practicum, or a portfolio tied to a real workplace problem. That structure is the point. The degree assumes you want to apply what you learn on Monday morning, not publish on it.

Coursework Over Thesis

The curriculum is course-based and career-oriented. Expect casework, team projects, and industry-facing assignments rather than lab rotations or original research. Faculty are often practitioners, and advisory boards from the field tend to shape the coursework. For a working professional, that is a feature: the degree is meant to convert directly into job performance and, ideally, into a promotion.

The Title Says Little About the Field

MPS programs span wildly different subjects. The degree appears in analytics, cybersecurity, public administration, community development, hospitality management, human resources, and sports management, among others. A data-heavy MPS and a community-focused MPS carry the same degree name and completely different classification consequences, including for international students weighing work authorization after graduation. The word "MPS" on its own tells you how the program is taught, not what it is taught in.

How It Is Regarded

Employers generally treat an MPS as a credible practitioner credential, though it is less standardized and less widely recognized than an MBA or an MS. Hiring managers tend to weigh the field of study and the school's reputation more heavily than the letters themselves. Whether the investment pays off depends on your goals, your funding, and the program's outcomes, which are worth checking directly.

How STEM Designation Works: CIP Codes and the DHS STEM List

The rule that decides whether an MPS counts as STEM was written by the federal government, not by the school that awards the degree, and it turns on a six-digit number most applicants never look at.

What a CIP code actually is

Every field of study in the United States carries a Classification of Instructional Programs code, a six-digit number maintained by the U.S. Department of Education. For international students, that code is the identity of the degree: it is the field recorded in SEVIS and printed on the Form I-20 alongside your program, and every immigration judgment about your area of study runs through it. An MPS in Analytics and an MPS in Sports Management can share a degree title and nothing else, because their codes sit in entirely different parts of the classification.

The DHS STEM list is a CIP lookup table

DHS publishes the STEM Designated Degree Program List, which is keyed entirely to CIP codes. Under 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C), every code in series 14 (Engineering), 26 (Biological and Biomedical Sciences), 27 (Mathematics and Statistics) and 40 (Physical Sciences) qualifies automatically. Related fields outside those series must be named by DHS, usually at the six-digit level, so the exact code has to appear on the list; the broader two-digit category does not carry the designation.

The list is revised periodically. The current PDF is dated October 1, 2025, and the most recent substantive change came on July 22, 2024, when DHS added Environmental/Natural Resource Economics (03.0204) after reviewing 133 nominations and removed no codes at all. Because updates arrive without fanfare, check the version posted on ICE's Study in the States site rather than a PDF saved from an old forum thread. Both that guidance and 8 CFR 214.2(f) are public documents, so you can read the rule yourself instead of relying on a summary.

Why your school's "STEM" label proves nothing

A program page can call an MPS "STEM-designated" and still leave you ineligible for the 24-month extension. Only the CIP code recorded for your field in SEVIS, matched against the DHS list, carries legal weight. Treat institutional language as a claim to verify, and ask admissions to confirm the code in writing before you pay a deposit.

MPS vs. MS vs. MBA: How Each Degree Is Classified

The degree title does not decide STEM status. Federal reporting, and the STEM OPT extension, follow the six-digit CIP code assigned to your specific program of study. An MPS, an MS and an MBA can each be STEM-designated or not, depending on that code. For MBA-level classification in more depth, see our STEM MBA programs resource.

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How to Find Your Program's CIP Code on Your I-20

Federal STEM classification now turns on a single six-digit number rather than the name printed on your diploma, which is why more international students are checking their paperwork before they enroll.

Locate the Code on Form I-20

Open your Form I-20 and find the program of study section on page one. Next to the major name, the field labeled Major 1 carries the CIP code.¹ It is written as six digits with a decimal point after the first two, for example 11.0701.² NCES maintains the Classification of Instructional Programs, and SEVIS uses it to record majors and minors. Major 2 is a second major and is typically blank for M-1 students.

Compare It to the DHS STEM List

Read the code itself, not the program title. Then search the DHS list of eligible CIP codes for the STEM OPT extension³ and check all six digits. A match means the code is included for the 24-month extension. A code in the same family, or a program with a similar name, is not necessarily enough. The list governs the extension only; it does not certify every course or job as STEM. Form I-983 also asks for your qualifying major and CIP code⁴, so the number carries through to later paperwork.

If the Code Does Not Match

Contact your Designated School Official (DSO) and ask what CIP code the school has recorded for your program in SEVIS. Most schools keep an approved CIP list, and DSOs verify against it with the registrar or a school database.

How a Code Gets Changed

Students cannot request a better code on their own. A change usually starts with the academic program, registrar, or institutional research office, and it generally needs curriculum support. Kansas State University, for example, ties code changes to curriculum changes and does not allow them solely to gain STEM designation.⁶ After the university approves, the DSO updates the record in SEVIS under Update Program Information, where Major Code 1 is required.⁵

Effects on current students vary by school. Some change only the official classification going forward, while others also update individual SEVIS records, and a corrected I-20 may follow. No universal federal rule requires every enrolled student to receive the new code. A new code also does not by itself establish STEM OPT eligibility, since you must still meet the other requirements.

Resolve Mismatches Before You Commit

If the code on your I-20 is not on the DHS list, settle it in writing before you accept an offer or pay a deposit. Do not count on a later reclassification, because the school may never make one and it may not cover your catalog year.

How Do You Confirm Your MPS Program's STEM Status?

An MPS qualifies as STEM only when its CIP code appears on the Department of Homeland Security STEM list. Run these checks in order, and repeat the last one right before you file for OPT, because a program's code and the DHS list can both change.

STEM vs. Non-STEM MPS Programs: Real Examples

The MPS programs below come from community development, leadership and global development fields. As of fall 2026, none of their official program pages lists a CIP code or a STEM OPT eligibility statement, which is consistent with how STEM OPT works: eligibility follows the CIP code on your I-20, and community and development fields generally fall outside the science, technology, engineering and math categories on the DHS STEM list. Some MPS programs in fields such as analytics or cybersecurity may carry a qualifying code at certain schools, but a program title is not proof of STEM status, so ask each school for the exact six-digit CIP code in writing before you enroll.

Full vs. Partial Designation: When Only One Track Counts

A program-wide STEM label and a track-by-track label are not the same thing, and the difference decides whether you can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension. Many students assume the whole degree qualifies. The code attached to your specific track is what counts.

Why Tracks Can Differ

The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List follows the CIP taxonomy and can designate fields at the two-, four-, or six-digit level.¹ A university assigns a CIP code to each curriculum, so concentrations inside one degree can land in different categories. One may fall on the DHS list while another does not.

A Real Example: Columbia SIPA

Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs publishes its codes in its academic policies on STEM designation. The degree is a Master of Public Administration rather than an MPS, but the mechanism is the same. In 2026 the pages show:

• MPA (general): 52.1399, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
• MPA-EPM: 45.0603, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics
• MPA-DP: 30.3301, Sustainability Studies
• MPA-ESP: 03.0103, Environmental Studies

Columbia ties STEM designation to these codes. It also notes that applying does not guarantee approval, because USCIS makes the final determination. The MPA designation took effect for students entering in Fall 2025 and is not retroactive.

What to Do on Your End

Check the CIP code printed on your own I-20 instead of relying on a brochure or a program-level claim. Compare it with the current DHS list.¹

If your school changes a code while you are enrolled, do not assume it applies to you. Columbia's non-retroactive rule shows that an update may cover only later entrants. Your Designated School Official (DSO) can tell you which code is on your record and whether a revised I-20 is possible. Ask before you rely on STEM OPT in your plans.

STEM OPT Extension for MPS Graduates: Eligibility Conditions

Can you get a 24-month STEM OPT extension with an MPS degree?

Yes, if the degree is STEM-designated and every other condition holds. Under 8 CFR 214.2(f), the extension adds 24 months to the initial 12 months of post-completion OPT for F-1 students whose qualifying degree appears on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. The degree must be a bachelor's or higher, and it must have been earned within 10 years before your designated school official (DSO) recommends the extension in SEVIS.¹ The degree also has to be on the list when you file with USCIS, not only when you graduated.¹

The Conditions That Actually Decide Eligibility

A STEM-designated MPS is one input, not the whole test. You must:

• Be in active post-completion OPT and file before your current OPT ends.²
• Hold a degree from a school that is SEVP-certified and accredited when you submit the application.
• Work for an E-Verify-enrolled employer in good standing, with a valid E-Verify Company ID (or Client Company ID through an employer agent) and an EIN.⁵
• Work at least 20 hours per week, with training directly related to your qualifying STEM degree.³
• Complete and sign Form I-983 with your employer before your DSO recommends the extension.⁴ The plan sets out training goals, supervision, compensation, and how the work connects to the degree.

The 24-month clock starts the day after your current post-completion OPT ends and runs 24 months from the requested start date. You generally get one STEM extension per qualifying degree, and a second only through a second STEM degree at a higher educational level.²

Online, Distance, and Prior STEM Degrees

Online and distance formats are a separate issue from STEM designation. F-1 rules restrict online coursework, so confirm with your DSO that the program's delivery format supports your OPT plan before you enroll. A STEM CIP code does not resolve a status or format problem.

If your most recent degree is a non-STEM MPS, you may still qualify through a prior STEM degree. That prior degree must be on the DHS list when you apply, meet the degree-level and 10-year recency rules, and come from a currently accredited, SEVP-certified school. The rules do not make every combination eligible automatically, so have your DSO review the sequence.

Why a STEM-Designated MPS Is Not a Guarantee

A STEM-designated MPS does not guarantee the extension. If your employer is not enrolled in E-Verify, if your school's certification or accreditation does not hold at filing, if the job is unrelated to the degree, or if the I-983 is missing or incomplete, USCIS can deny the request. The designation is the entry ticket, not the approval.

Start with Study in the States and 8 CFR 214.2(f) for the current rule text, then confirm your own record with your DSO.

Questions to Ask Admissions About STEM Status Before You Enroll

Marketing pages often say "STEM" loosely. Before you commit, put these questions to admissions and the international student office, and get answers specific to your program and track.

• What exact six-digit CIP code will appear on my I-20?

  Ask for the full code, not just "STEM-designated." That code, as recorded for your program, is what determines eligibility.
• Is that CIP code on the current DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List?

  Check the code against the latest list yourself. A related or similar-sounding code may not qualify.
• Does the code cover my concentration or only part of the program?

  Some MPS programs assign different CIP codes to different tracks. Confirm the one you will actually enroll in.
• What happens if the school changes the program's CIP code?

  Ask how a recode would affect current students and your planned STEM OPT application.
• Can you confirm the CIP code and STEM OPT eligibility in writing?

  An email from the designated school official or program office gives you a record to reference later.
• Does the delivery format affect my F-1 or OPT eligibility?

  F-1 rules limit online coursework, so confirm that an online or hybrid format will support your visa status and OPT plans.

Is an MPS Worth It if It Isn't STEM?

STEM OPT can add up to 24 months of work authorization on top of standard OPT, and that single benefit changes the math more than any other factor for international students. A non-STEM MPS can still be a sound investment, but the answer depends on who is asking.

Do Employers Respect an MPS?

Generally, yes. Commentary from a 2026 communications-sector source says most hiring managers do not systematically distinguish among MA, MS, and MPS degrees for nonacademic roles. Portfolio quality, demonstrated experience, and program reputation tend to count for more than the label. University sources point to the same things employers value: internships, networking, faculty with industry experience, and client engagements.

The MS remains the better fit for research methods, analytics, or a path to doctoral study. MS programs are more often thesis-based and run two to three years, while Cornell describes its MPS as typically one year. MPS students are generally self-funded, whereas MS students may receive stipends or assistantships.

The Answer Depends on Your Situation

• International students: Losing STEM OPT eligibility means a shorter post-graduation work window, which is a real cost. If extended U.S. work authorization is central to your plan, a non-STEM MPS is the riskier choice.
• Domestic working professionals: There is no work-authorization penalty, so the STEM label matters little. What you gain is a shorter, practice-focused degree, often available in part-time, online, or hybrid formats, and typically aimed at people who keep working while they study.

How It Compares With the Alternatives

A STEM-designated MS may offer research depth and funding but takes longer. A STEM MBA adds management training and, at qualifying programs, the extension; our guide to STEM MBA programs covers which ones qualify. An MPS usually wins on speed and applied focus, and Georgetown characterizes a top-tier MPS as costing a fraction of a traditional master's or MBA, though that is not a universal rule.

A Simple Rule of Thumb

If you need the 24-month extension, confirm STEM designation on your I-20 before you enroll, or choose a different degree. If you are a domestic professional who wants applied skills, a credential, and a network in about a year, a non-STEM MPS is worth serious consideration, provided the program's career services and employer connections hold up when you ask about them.