The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) codes were developed by the U.S. Department of Education as the national taxonomic
standard of academic program titles for federal and state reporting of institutional
data. The CIP code is independent of program length.
CIP codes are used by the University for collecting, reporting, and analyzing instructional
program data. In addition, CIP codes are important administratively for federal financial
aid and visas for international students. It is our obligation to identify the six-digit
program that best describes the program.
A CIP Code will not vary for individuals within the same program.
A change in a program’s CIP code can have major, long-lasting implications for financial
aid, international students, IPEDS reporting, census, funding and other programs and
reporting. As such any change in CIP code will be carefully vetted.
CIP codes are not changed just to qualify a program for a STEM designated CIP. Rather,
there needs to be a change to curriculum or other documentation to show that a different
code is a better fit.
CIP Code changes are taken under the following circumstances:
The existing CIP code designation was made in error and the mistake needs to be corrected.
The academic program has evolved since the time it was created to the extent that
a different CIP code now better describes the program.
Once a decade, CIP codes are reviewed and new ones may be added. In the event that
a new code more accurately identifies a program, a change may be initiated.
CIP code change proposals may be submitted in Coursedog at any time but no later than
May 15th. Proposals approved by May 15th, take effect the subsequent fall semester. Approved changes are not retroactive.
As a condition of the university’s Title IV program, CIP code changes may need to
be approved by the US Department of Education. Securing external approvals from state
and federal agencies can take significant time, plan ahead.
Steps to Consider Before Submitting a Request and Included in the Rationale:
Do other UU programs have the same CIP Code Assigned?
Do any other USHE Institutions have the same CIP Code assigned?
Are you aware of reporting impacts, have you talked with UAIR?
Can this request be convincingly and specifically demonstrated; through a fit between
the curriculum, catalog description, program title and the proposed CIP code?
