Best STEM Courses in USA for International Students

Here in this blog we will be discussing everything about STEM courses in the USA for international students including what are STEM courses, their eligibility, top universities in USA offering these courses and advantages of studying STEM courses in the USA. STEM stands for: S – Science T – Technology E – Engineering M – Mathematics So, universities offering any courses in the fields of science, engineering and other related fields are referred to as STEM courses. The popularity of STEM courses in the USA among international students is on the rise as each year many students apply for these and get awarded with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the STEM fields. The high in demand nature of these courses is majorly because the professions related to these fields are globally recognized and rewarded.
STEM Programs Popular Courses to Study in USA
Science Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Science
Technology Data Science, IT, Cybersecurity, AI, Computer Science, Software Development
Engineering Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Aerospace and Robotics
Mathematics Statistics, Algebra, Calculus, Data Science and Analytics, Geometry, Applied Mathematics

Why Pursue STEM Courses in the USA for International Students?

STEM courses in the USA are quite well recognized among international students because of the few primary reasons:
  • Proximity to the Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley hosts some of the tech giants. Everyone knows it as the technical hub of the country. Those studying STEM courses in the USA can get easy access to this golden gate entry which can kick-start a great career opportunity for them.
  • Next prominent reason is the visa option. If having an F-1 visa, students can apply for OPT i.e. Optional Practical Training. This allows you to work in your field of study in the USA for up to 12 months after your course completion. Talking about the insights in the year 2023, more than 122,000 international students participated in the STEM OPT and if compared to the previous year, it represented a 2% growth.
  • The USA is home to a variety of top-notch universities that global audiences recognize for their stature. The well-drafted curriculum in US universities helps students focus on both classroom and beyond classroom learning, making these universities well known.

Eligibility of STEM Courses in USA for International Students

Many people dream of getting admission into STEM courses in the USA; however, just like for any other master’s or undergraduate courses, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria beforehand. The most basic requirements to apply for a STEM course in the USA are:
  • Complete 3 to 4 years of undergraduate degree in any of the STEM field
  • Valid IELTS, TOFEL, and PTE scores. These score requirements can be different for each school for their specific course. Before submitting the application, students must confirm this information.
  •  GMAT or GRE scores as mentioned by the course of your choice and of course the university of choice.
  • Eligibility for F1 student visa for the USA
  • Student’s eligibility for STEM OPT

Documentation Required for STEM Courses in the USA

STEM programs are to be applied directly and the documents required for the application are below:
  • Scanned copy of a valid passport
  • GMAT/GRE test scores
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume
  • Two reference letters
  • English Language Proficiency test scores
  • Academic transcripts for all academic levels
  • Essays
  • A translated copy of your transcript in case if your degree certificate is in any other language than English

Popular STEM Courses in the USA for International Students

STEM is an umbrella term comprising many different courses and fields of study. Just to quote a figure there are around 300 courses falling under STEM, however the most popular STEM courses in the USA for masters are:
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Data Science
  • Management Science
  • Information Science
  • Business
  • Statistics
  • Mathematics
  • Chemistry
  • Civil Engineering
  • Biomedical Sciences

What is STEM OPT?

DHS i.e. the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants the STEM designation to selected top universities in the USA along with STEM OPT. This may sound like an overwhelming term to the international students, but it simply means that if you have a valid F1 USA student visa then you can stay back in the USA after your course completion and can take up employment for 12 months. In pursuing a STEM MBA course in the USA, a student can convert the 12-month time period into 36 months without needing an H-1B visa. You can utilize this time to gain experience and build your network. You must have 20 hours of employer experience per week. A SEVP-certified institution must approve your degree for STEM OPT eligibility. Students can fulfill this with their internship programs and through part-time involvements.

One Year STEM Courses in the USA

There are one year STEP programs as well offered by the best universities in the USA including Caltech, MIT, Harvard University and Stanford etc. For those who already have the academic knowledge, but want to step into the professional world soon, these one year STEM programs are for those students. Students can opt for a one-year STEM course in fields such as Biochemistry, Astronomy, Biomedical Technology, and Civil Engineering.
STEM Courses in the USA

Advantages of STEM Courses in the USA

STEM courses in USA are advantageous for Indian students in several ways. Mentioned below are the growth statistics for STEM courses:
Advantages of STEM Courses Statistics
High Employment Growth in STEM occupations From 2020 to 2023, the employment is projected to grow by 8% than the average of other occupations.
Diverse Career Options From 2020 to 2030, careers in data scientist roles are expected to grow by 31.4%
Signification R&D Investment The R&D expenditures reached $717 billion in 2021 which clearly shows that STEM graduates will have access to resources.
STEM professionals have the right skills to address global challenges United Nations Sustainable Development Goals highlights the role of STEM in creating a global impact.
Choosing one of the STEM courses in the USA can actually be a game changer for international students. In pursuing a STEM MBA course in the USA, a student can convert the 12-month time period into 36 months without needing an H-1B visa. You can utilize this time to gain experience and build your network.

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