Academy Nominates Audiology for Recognition as STEM Discipline

The Academy recently nominated the field of audiology for recognition as a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) discipline by the Department of Homeland Security. “Audiology is a STEM discipline that requires education in and application of science and technology as a part of its academic foundation and professional practice.

Graduate audiology programs also engage students in “research, innovation, and development of new technologies using engineering, physical sciences, and computer science” that align with relevant definition of a STEM field used by the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) taxonomy.” 

Audiology is currently not recognized as a STEM profession by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and therefore foreign students in the United States in a graduate audiology program are limited in the amount of time they can stay after graduation. 

This currently deters foreign students from studying audiology in the United States and also is a disincentive to employers who may be reluctant to offer these students a job after graduation. DHS STEM-designated degrees allow students to remain in the United States and work for up to three years without needing employer sponsorship. 

STEM designation would allow universities to attract prospective students to graduate audiology programs and open additional opportunities for STEM-related grant funding. The Department of Homeland Security typically publishes any additions to the current STEM designated degree list once a year in the Federal Register.

Eligible CIP Codes for the STEM OPT Extension | Study in the States (dhs.gov)