ASA Applauds DHS Designation of Data Science as STEM Field Eligible for Student Visa Extension Program

In response to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announcement this week to include data science in its science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Designated Degree Program List, ASA Executive Director Ron Wasserstein issued the following statement:

"We applaud the decision by the DHS to include data science in its program degree list for STEM fields. With its foundational components of statistics, computing, database management, and math, data science rightfully belongs on this list. We thank members of the academic and data science communities who also urged its inclusion."

The DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List determines the fields of study for which students on an F-1 visa can apply for a 24-month STEM optional practical training extension.