Is Booth’s MiF STEM-eligible?Can I get OPT extension?

Question

Mohit C · Accepted Answer

Yes, Booth&rsquo;s Master in Finance is STEM-designated, which means graduates can apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension in addition to the standard 12 months of OPT. That&rsquo;s a major advantage if the plan is to work in the U.S. after graduation, especially in finance roles that value quantitative skills.
The program officially highlights its STEM status, and many students use the extension to gain 2&ndash;3 years of work experience in the U.S. before looking at H-1B or other long-term visas. It also helps with recruiting since banks and asset managers are more comfortable hiring international students who don&rsquo;t need immediate sponsorship. One detail worth noting is that the OPT extension approval still depends on your employer&rsquo;s reporting compliance with E-Verify. As long as the company is registered, there shouldn&rsquo;t be issues.

Divakshi Arora · Answer

The good news is the Booth MiF does qualify as a STEM program, so the OPT extension is on the table. Many international students rely on this pathway, and it&rsquo;s a big reason programs emphasize the designation.
Here&rsquo;s how it works in practice: &bull; The standard OPT period is 12 months, and the STEM tag lets you extend by 24 months, giving up to 36 months total. &bull; The employer must be E-Verify registered and willing to update your employment info for USCIS. Without that, the extension won&rsquo;t process. &bull; Students often use this time to move into roles like risk management, quant finance, or asset management before applying for H-1B.
One thing to plan for early is tracking deadlines, since OPT and STEM extension applications have strict filing windows. Missing them can shorten work time, so it&rsquo;s worth setting reminders the moment the initial OPT starts.For more details you can read this blog on "MFin Abroad "