CIP Codes

Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is the taxonomic coding scheme used for instructional programs in higher education in the United States. Its purpose is to facilitate the organization, collection, and reporting of fields of study and program completions.

The CIP is the accepted federal government statistical standard on instructional program classifications and is used in a variety of education surveys and databases, giving higher education institutions the ability to make comparisons to peer institutions.

Two-digit CIP code groupings
CIP code Instructional program
01 Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
03 Natural Resources and Conservation
04 Architecture and Related Services
05 Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
09 Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs
10 Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services
11 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services
12 Personal and Culinary Services
13 Education
14 Engineering
15 Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields
16 Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
19 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences
22 Legal Professions and Studies
23 English Language and Literature/Letters
24 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities
25 Library Science
26 Biological and Biomedical Sciences
27 Mathematics and Statistics
28 Military Science, Leadership, and Operational Art
29 Military Technologies and Applied Sciences
30 Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
31 Parks, Recreation, Leisure, and Fitness Studies
38 Philosophy and Religious Studies
39 Theology and Religious Vocations
40 Physical Sciences
41 Science Technologies/Technicians
42 Psychology
43 Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Service
44 Public Administration and Social Service Professions
45 Social Sciences
46 Construction Trades
47 Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians
48 Precision Production
49 Transportation and Materials Moving
50 Visual and Performing Arts
51 Health Professions and Related Programs
52 Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
54 History

Assignment of CIP codes at IU Indianapolis

A key part of a proposal for a new academic program is the selection of an appropriate CIP code based on the anticipated curriculum. It is important to ensure accurate assignment of a CIP code to each new program so that reports comparing IU Indianapolis with other institutions provide an accurate comparison of similar programs.

The CIP code chosen for a new program will be evaluated during the proposal approval process. When a new program has received final approval from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, the CIP code and program title are added to the state’s Academic Program Inventory, the official inventory of programs offered by higher education institutions in Indiana.

Find out more about selecting a CIP code

The National Center for Education Statistics’ CIP User Site provides detailed information about CIP codes, including a listing of all current CIP codes.

Visit the CIP User Site

CIP code resources at IU Indianapolis

At IU Indianapolis, CIP codes are stored in the Student Information System. A list of the CIP codes associated with current academic plans is available in the Indiana University Information Environment and can most easily be accessed through these reports:

  • The Current Academic Plans report (PSE_CUR_ACAD_PLAN_GT) provides a list of all current academic plans (majors), programs (schools/departments), and their associated CIP codes.
  • The CIP 2000 Table report (SR_CIP2000_GT) provides a list of all plans, active and inactive, and the CIP codes associated with them.

You can also search the IU Academic Program Inventory, the official list of academic programs and associated CIP codes on all IU campuses.