Major field of study - Classification of instructional programs - (CIP), Canada, 2000

For the first time with the 2006 Census, major field of study data were coded with the Classification of Instructional Programs - (CIP), Canada, 2000.

Prior to the 2006 Census, the Major Field of Study Classification (MFS) was used to classify major field of study. We recommend users not make historical comparisons between the two classification systems. Even though some entries in the two classifications are similar, direct comparison would be inappropriate given the much more detailed character of the new classification.

A theoretical concordance table between the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) and the Major Field of Study Classification (MFS) showing the definitional relationship between the two classifications was developed. This table is available in the 2006 Census Dictionary (Appendix N). This type of concordance allows users to see the relationship between the two classes of systems based on the definitional aspects of each system. However, users are cautioned that this type of concordance can not be used to convert counts from one classification system to another.