For F-1 students approaching the end of OPT or considering their next academic step, one question has become especially important in 2026: Can you still pursue a second master’s degree in the United States?
The answer, for now, is yes.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule on July 17, 2026 that would have significantly changed F-1 academic progression. Under the rule, an F-1 student who completed a program at one educational level generally would not be permitted to begin another F-1 program at the same or a lower educational level. That could directly affect students considering a second master’s degree after completing their first.
However, the rule did not take effect as scheduled. On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction postponing implementation of the rule, which had been scheduled to take effect on September 15.
As of September 2026, the existing F-1 rules therefore remain in effect while litigation continues. A second master’s degree has not been prohibited under the currently operative rules.
That does not mean every second master’s program is automatically the right academic or immigration choice. Students should still consider degree progression, CPT eligibility, OPT history, program relevance, cost, and long-term career goals. For students who already hold a master’s degree, doctoral programs such as a DBA, EdD, or PhD may also be worth comparing.
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Yes. As of September 2026, the 2026 DHS academic-progression restriction is not in effect.
DHS's July 2026 final rule would generally require an F-1 student who completes a program at one educational level to move to a higher educational level rather than begin another program at the same or a lower level. For example, a student completing a master’s degree after the rule became effective generally could not begin another master’s degree as an F-1 student.
But the rule was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026 and was blocked by a federal court one day earlier. The existing F-1 Duration of Status framework and current academic-mobility rules therefore remain in place while the litigation continues.
The injunction is temporary rather than a permanent cancellation of the regulation. Students considering a second master’s should continue monitoring the case before making future enrollment decisions.
The concern about second master’s degrees comes from a specific provision in DHS's 2026 final rule—not from a general prohibition on international students pursuing additional education.
Under the final rule, DHS created an educational-level hierarchy that includes associate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate levels. Once an F-1 student completed a program at one educational level after the rule became effective, the student generally would be required to move to a higher educational level for a subsequent F-1 program.
For example:
Master's → another Master's: generally restricted under the blocked rule
Master's → Bachelor's: generally restricted under the blocked rule
Master's → Doctorate: upward academic progression
DHS also stated that the same- or lower-level limitation would apply prospectively. Programs completed before the rule's effective date would not count toward that restriction.
Because the September 15 effective date has been postponed by the federal court injunction, these new academic-progression restrictions are not currently operative.
Students should therefore distinguish between two questions: what the July 2026 final rule says, and what rules are actually in force today. They are currently not the same.
Not necessarily.
ICE states that eligible F-1 students can generally receive up to 12 months of OPT at each educational level. This means a student may receive OPT after a bachelor's degree and another period after progressing to the master's level.
But completing a second degree at the same educational level does not normally create another 12-month OPT allocation at that same level.
For example, if a student already used post-completion OPT based on a master's degree and later completes another master's degree, the second master's does not automatically provide a new 12 months of standard OPT simply because it is a new degree.
By contrast, moving from a master's degree to a qualifying doctoral degree represents a higher educational level and may create a new OPT opportunity at that higher level, assuming the student meets all applicable requirements.
Students should confirm their individual OPT eligibility with their DSO before choosing a second degree primarily because of employment authorization considerations.
For students who already hold a master's degree, another option is to progress to the doctoral level rather than pursue another degree at the same academic level.
One such option is the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
A DBA is a professional doctorate generally focused on applying advanced business research to real organizational, management and leadership problems. It differs from many traditional PhD programs, which often place greater emphasis on producing academic research and preparing students for research-intensive or academic careers.
From an academic-progression perspective, the distinction is straightforward:
Master's → Master's = same educational level
Master's → Doctorate = higher educational level
DHS's 2026 final rule specifically identifies master's and doctorate as separate educational levels. Although the rule's new academic-progression restrictions are currently blocked, this distinction explains why students who already hold master's degrees are increasingly comparing doctoral programs when planning their next educational step.
Some doctoral programs include practical training as part of their curriculum, which can make eligible F-1 students candidates for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
However, CPT is not automatically available simply because a student enrolls in a DBA, EdD or other doctoral program.
Under federal rules, CPT must be an integral part of the student's curriculum and directly related to the student's major. ICE also states that a graduate student may be authorized for CPT during the first semester when the academic program requires immediate participation in practical training.
A Designated School Official (DSO) must authorize the employment and issue an updated Form I-20 before the student begins CPT employment.
This distinction is especially important in 2026 because SEVP has emphasized stricter interpretation of whether practical training is genuinely integral to the curriculum. Students should evaluate the academic structure of the doctoral program and how their proposed employment relates to the degree—not simply whether a university is commonly described as a “Day 1 CPT school.”
| Question | Second Master's | Doctoral Program |
|---|---|---|
| Academic level | Master's | Doctorate |
| Academic progression | Same educational level | Higher educational level |
| Currently permitted under existing F-1 rules | Yes, subject to normal F-1 requirements | Yes, subject to normal F-1 requirements |
| Treatment under blocked 2026 rule | Same-level study would generally be restricted after a qualifying master's completion | Represents upward academic progression |
| New standard OPT eligibility | Not automatically if OPT was already used at master's level | May provide OPT eligibility at a higher education level if all requirements are met |
| Typical academic purpose | New specialization or professional field | Advanced specialization, research or leadership |
| CPT | Depends on curriculum and DSO authorization | Depends on curriculum and DSO authorization |
Students comparing Day 1 CPT doctoral programs should also consider how much full-time CPT they plan to use.
ICE states that an F-1 student who accumulates 12 months or more of full-time CPT becomes ineligible for OPT at that same educational level. Part-time CPT does not create the same loss of OPT eligibility.
This rule can be particularly important for doctoral programs lasting three or more years. Students who want to preserve potential post-completion OPT eligibility should understand how their university structures CPT and should track whether their authorization is part-time or full-time.
CPT decisions should be discussed with the school's DSO because eligibility depends on the individual student's curriculum and employment circumstances.
Below is an overview of several schools currently offering DBA programs that are commonly discussed in the Day 1 CPT context. Each program’s pacing and structure is different, so the right choice depends heavily on your work location, schedule, and tolerance for on-site frequency.
Yes. As of September 2026, the current F-1 framework still allows students to pursue additional academic programs, including another master's degree, when they otherwise qualify for F-1 status.
DHS's July 2026 final rule would significantly change that framework by generally requiring students who complete one educational level to progress to a higher level. However, a federal court blocked the rule before its scheduled September 15 effective date, so those restrictions are not currently in force.
For students who already hold a master's degree, the decision between another master's and a doctorate should therefore be based on more than immigration timing.
Consider:
A second master's remains an available option today. A DBA, EdD, PhD or another doctoral program represents a different pathway for students whose academic goals support progression to the doctoral level.
Because the federal litigation is ongoing, students planning enrollment beyond the current term should verify the latest F-1 rule status before making a decision.
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