What is a CIP code?

What is a CIP code?

The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) provides a taxonomic scheme that supports the accurate tracking and reporting of fields of study and program completion activity. CIP was originally developed by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in 1980, with revisions occurring in 1985, 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2020.

CIP codes are used to track and report on a wide variety of data related to educational programs, including student data, such as enrollment, retention rates, graduation rates and faculty data, such as average salaries. Knowing your CIP code(s), you can access a myriad of data related to UNL’s academic programs and compare with Nebraska programs (through the Post Secondary Education Commission) and national data (through the National Center for Education Statistics).

How do CIP Codes work?

The taxonomy of CIP codes is broken down into three levels – 2-digit codes, 4-digit codes and 6-digit codes with each level providing more specificity about the academic programs. There are 61 2-digit CIP code categories, ranging from 01 – Agriculture/animal/plan/veterinary science to 61-Medical residency/fellowship programs. CoJMC programs fall into 09 – Communication, Journalism, and related fields.

Within each 2-digit CIP code are subcategories that provide additional specificity and detail. Within 09 – Communication, Journalism, and related fields, there are six subcategories. Each subcategory is further divided into 6-digit CIP codes. Academic degrees, programs and departments are assigned a 6-digit CIP code. Our academic programs are split between 09.04 – Journalism and 09.09 – Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication, as shown below. 

• 09.01 – Communication and Media Studies
• 09.04 – Journalism
  • 09.0401 – Journalism
    • Masters (both IMC and Professional Journalism)
    • Financial Communications Graduate Certificate
  • 09.0402 – Broadcasting Journalism
    • Bachelors– Broadcasting
  • 09.0499 – Journalism, Other
    • Bachelors – Journalism
• 09.07 – Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
• 09.09 – Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
  • 09.0900 – Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
    • Bachelors – Advertising and Public Relations
  • 09.0901 – Public Relations/Issues Management
    • PR & Social Media Graduate Certificate
  • 09.0906 – Sports Communication
    • Bachelors – Sports Media and Communications
• 09.010 – Publishing
• 09.00 – Communication, Journalism and Related Programs, Other 

Here is a quick reference table for the CoJMC academic program CIP Codes.