Washington and Lee University’s economics department recently updated its Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code from “General Economics” to “Quantitative Economics,” giving the major federal STEM recognition.
Despite the new classification, economics professor Michael Anderson said that there are no changes to course requirements and that the major remains a Bachelor of Arts program.
“It doesn’t change the nature of our major,” he said. “It just more accurately reflects it.”
Over time, the economics department has created a data analytics class, changed its econometrics class and added two 300-level classes that involve reading articles at the frontiers of the profession, Anderson said.
“So the change we made to our CIP code occurred because we simply stopped and asked, ‘What is the best description of our major right now?’” Anderson said, “And it’s quantitative economics.”
Nationally, the Department of Homeland Security recognizes the quantitative economics major as a STEM field. This designation benefits international students by extending their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period after graduation.
Previously, students majoring in economics could remain in the United States for up to 12 months after graduation. With the reclassification, they are now eligible for an additional two-year extension.
“That greatly increases their chances of getting an H-1B visa,” Anderson said, referring to the lottery-based work visa system. With more time to enter the lottery, students effectively improve their odds of securing long-term employment in the U.S.
The change may influence how international students plan their academic paths. Anderson described a student who pursued a second, STEM-designated major primarily to qualify for the extended OPT period.
“That second major was just a burden to her,” he said. “Now students can major in economics and receive the STEM designation without having to take that path.”
The update also reflects a broader trend in the economics field toward more data-driven and quantitative approaches, Anderson said. As the discipline increasingly emphasizes empirical analysis and technical skills, programs across the country have been adapting their curricula to better prepare students for modern research and industry demands. The university’s reclassification aligns its official designation with developments that have already taken place within the field of study.
While it remains too early to observe measurable shifts in enrollment, Anderson said he expects the change to make the economics major more attractive to international students.
