STEM-Designated Degree
The merging of business with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields is powering business innovation in the 21st century.
UC Davis' STEM-designated degrees reflect our university's nationally recognized leadership in the STEM fields. Our rigorous curriculum emphasizes quantitative analysis and data-driven decision making, which will prepare you for leadership roles in STEM fields.
You will learn how to apply data analysis to innovate and inform important business decisions — skills that are in high demand among employers, especially those in Northern California and Silicon Valley.
UC Davis Graduate School of Management students have unique access to other opportunities offered at UC Davis—a top-tier research university pioneering in STEM fields.
International Students and STEM Designation
Because STEM fields are considered essential to U.S. economic competitiveness and growth, the STEM designation offers an additional benefit for international students who want to work in the U.S.
International students graduating from STEM-designated programs may apply for a 24-month extension to their post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), providing up to 36 months of temporary employment in the U.S.
Read more about general OPT rules here and more about STEM-designated OPT degree rules here.
On Oct. 8, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposal to impose a new Optional Practical Training (OPT) fee. The proposed rule would establish a $70,000 application fee on the initial OPT application, and a $30,000 fee for any subsequent OPT application. This rule is still in its proposal phase and has not been implemented. We encourage our community to review the detailed proposal and stay informed through updates from SISS.
Immigration regulations and USCIS policies may change with little notice and could impact the application process and/or eligibility for off-campus work authorization. Students are responsible for staying informed and should review the SISS Federal Immigration Updates webpage for the latest developments.