Pick a Day-1 CPT major that progresses your degree.
Your Day-1 CPT major should build on what you’ve already studied — not duplicate or downgrade it. Compare 13 popular Day-1 CPT majors and the universities that offer them.
Why does major selection matter for Day-1 CPT?
Your Day-1 CPT major should fit a logical path that builds on your prior U.S. education — not duplicate it or step backward. Progress should follow the standard Bachelor → Master → Doctorate sequence; picking a lower-level degree after a higher one raises USCIS concerns.
Avoid programs that closely mirror a degree you already earned — repeating coursework triggers questions about your true intentions. Either issue increases the chance of Requests for Evidence (RFEs) during F-1 renewal or H-1B applications.
Browse by major
Find the major that fits your path
Filter by level or STEM eligibility, then pick a major to see which Day-1 CPT universities offer it.
Master of Business Administration
MBA· Master'sThe most popular Day-1 CPT path. Flexible, broad, and accepted across nearly every business career — Management, Consulting, Marketing, Finance. Most schools also offer STEM-tagged MBA concentrations.
9 Day-1 CPT universities offer this major
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