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Plain language definition
Main subject area of the person's highest certificate, diploma or degree after high school.
Detailed definition
Refers to the predominant discipline or area of learning or training of a person's highest postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree. The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP [Canada 2000]) major field of study classification structure consists of 13 major categories or primary groupings, 12 of which are used for the census (the category which includes courses in personal development is not used). The 12 primary groupings are: education; visual and performing arts, and communications technologies; humanities; social and behavioural sciences and law; business, management and public administration; physical and life sciences and technologies; mathematics, computer and information sciences; architecture, engineering and related technologies; agriculture, natural resources and conservation; health, parks, recreation and fitness; personal, protective and transportation services; other.
Values (English)
Total - Major field of study - Classification of Instructional Programs, 2000
No postsecondary certificate, diploma or degree
Education
Visual and performing arts, and communications technologies
Visual and performing arts
Communications technologies/technicians and support services
Humanities
Liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities
Philosophy and religious studies
Theology and religious vocations
History
Medieval and renaissance studies
Holocaust and related studies
Classical and ancient studies
English language and literature/letters
French language and literature/letters
Aboriginal and foreign languages, literatures and linguistics
Social and behavioural sciences and law
Social sciences
Museology/museum studies
Intercultural/multicultural and diversity studies
Peace studies and conflict resolution
International/global studies
Science, technology and society
Gerontology
Psychology
Behavioural sciences
Cognitive science
Biopsychology
Area, ethnic, cultural and gender studies
Family and consumer sciences/human sciences
Communication, journalism and related programs
Legal professions and studies
Business, management and public administration
Business, management, marketing and related support services
Accounting and computer science
Public administration and social service professions
Physical and life sciences and technologies
Physical sciences
Biological and biomedical sciences
Biological and physical sciences
Natural sciences
Nutrition sciences
Neuroscience
Science technologies/technicians
Mathematics, computer and information sciences
Mathematics and statistics
Mathematics and computer science
Computer and information sciences and support services
Systems science and theory
Library science
Architecture, engineering, and related technologies
Architecture and related services
Historic preservation and conservation
Engineering
Engineering technologies/technicians
Construction trades
Mechanic and repair technologies/technicians
Precision production
Agriculture, natural resources and conservation
Agriculture, agriculture operations and related sciences
Natural resources and conservation
Health, parks, recreation and fitness
Health professions and related clinical sciences
Dental, medical and veterinary residency programs
Parks, recreation, leisure and fitness studies
Personal, protective and transportation services
Personal and culinary services
Security and protective services
Military technologies
Reserve entry scheme for officers in the Armed Forces
Transportation and materials moving
Other fields of study