Economics degrees are highly marketable and help students develop strong analytical and quantitative skills.
As such, the economics department at Missouri State University recently had its degree programs approved as STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) by the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.
The designation is vital to both students and potential employers. It is awarded to programs that meet requirements set by the Department of Homeland Security.
About STEM
The STEM program is intended to help the U.S. develop a 21st century workforce. It was established in 2016 to address the shortage of qualified workers in STEM fields.
International students graduating from STEM-designated degree programs can apply for a STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension. The extension allows students to extend their work authorization for an additional 24 months as they contribute to the American economy and gain real-world experience.
“The extension allows students like me to develop our professional network and gain experience working for an American company,” said MSU alumnus Yuganesh Gunalan, an international student from Malaysia.
Increased recruitment opportunities
More broadly, attracting international students with STEM programs helps with MSU’s recruitment and diversity efforts.
“The STEM designation for economics highlights the skill-based and applied nature of our courses. It will significantly affect the recruitment of economics majors from countries outside the U.S.,” said Dr. Subhasree Basu Roy, associate professor of economics at Missouri State.
“As we navigate the demographic cliff and look for innovative strategies to boost enrollment, the STEM designation and the extended OPT opportunity will make our program attractive to international students.”
Why the U.S. needs international students
According to NAFSA Association of International Educators, international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities contributed $33.8 billion and supported 335,423 jobs to the U.S. economy during the 2021-2022 academic year.
“International students are increasingly seeking academic programs with a STEM designation. Having the opportunity to extend their post-graduation work experience to three years is valuable for international students and U.S. employers,” said Brad Bodenhausen, MSU’s vice president for community and global partnerships.
“We’re pleased to see the undergraduate degrees awarded by Missouri State’s economics department receive this important designation.”