Program directory

    Explore programs by area of study

    Every field of study U.S. colleges report to the Department of Education, from accounting to zoology, with how many colleges offer it and at which degree levels.

    Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition

    Fields of study
    418
    Areas
    49
    Edition
    2026–27

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    Areas with the most fields of study

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
    50 fields
    Engineering
    41 fields
    Health Professions and Related Programs
    31 fields
    Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
    22 fields
    Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields
    19 fields
    Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
    19 fields
    Fields of study (4-digit CIP codes) that published colleges report in each area. College Scorecard.

    418 programs in 49 areas of study. Open a card for the program page or the colleges that offer it.

    Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields

    19 programs · 14 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on agriculture, animal, plant, veterinary, and related sciences and that prepares individuals to apply specific knowledge, methods, and techniques to the management and performance of agricultural and veterinary operations.

    Architecture and Related Services

    9 programs · 6 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals for professional practice in the various architecture-related fields and focus on the study of related aesthetic and socioeconomic aspects of the built environment.

    Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies

    3 programs · 2 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the defined areas, regions, and countries of the world; defined minority groups within and across societies; and issues relevant to collective gender and group experience.

    Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education

    1 program

    Instructional programs that focus on the fundamental knowledge and skills that individuals need to function productively in society. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Biological and Biomedical Sciences

    15 programs · 14 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the biological sciences and the non-clinical biomedical sciences, and that prepare individuals for research and professional careers as biologists and biomedical scientists.

    Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services

    22 programs · 21 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to perform managerial, technical support, and applied research functions related to the operation of commercial and non-profit enterprises and the buying and selling of goods and services.

    Citizenship Activities

    1 program

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals for citizenship, and provide instruction in how citizens may engage in civic activities. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs

    6 programs · 5 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on how messages in various media are produced, used, and interpreted within and across different contexts, channels, and cultures, and that prepare individuals to apply communication knowledge and skills professionally.

    Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services

    4 programs · 3 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to function as equipment operators, support technicians, and operations managers in the film/video, recording, and graphic communications industries.

    Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

    11 programs · 11 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the computer and information sciences and prepare individuals for various occupations in information technology and computer operations fields.

    Construction Trades

    7 programs · 7 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the building, inspecting, and maintaining of structures and related properties.

    Culinary, Entertainment, and Personal Services

    4 programs · 3 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to provide professional services related to cosmetology, funeral services, entertainment, and food preparation and service.

    Education

    15 programs · 14 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the theory and practice of learning and teaching, and related research, administrative and support services.

    Engineering

    41 programs · 24 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the solution of practical problems.

    Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians

    19 programs · 17 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineering and related projects or to prepare for engineering-related fields.

    English Language and Literature/Letters

    4 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the structure and use of the English language and dialects, speech, writing, and various aspects of the literatures and cultures of the English-speaking peoples.

    Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences

    9 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the human interface with the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual environments and the developmental stages and needs of individuals in the interrelated spheres of family, workplace, and community.

    Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics

    18 programs · 9 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on foreign languages and literatures, the humanistic and scientific study of linguistics, and the provision of professional interpretation and translation services.

    Health Professions and Related Programs

    31 programs · 26 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to practice as licensed professionals and assistants in the health care professions and related clinical sciences and administrative and support services.

    Health Professions Residency/Fellowship Programs

    3 programs

    Programs that prepare dentists (DDS, DMD), nurse practitioners, pharmacists (PharmD), physician assistants, and veterinarians (DVM) for certification as practitioners of recognized specialties in their respective professions. These programs are approved and accredited by designated professional associations. Residency or fellowship programs that also result in the completion of an academic degree (e.g., MS, PhD), should be reported under the appropriate CIP code, rather than in a residency code located in Series 60. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Health-Related Knowledge and Skills

    1 program

    Instructional programs that focus on the promotion of personal and family health. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    High School/Secondary Diplomas and Certificates

    2 programs

    Instructional programs that define the prescribed requirements for high school/secondary school graduation. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    History

    1 program · 1 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the study and interpretation of past events, institutions, issues, and cultures.

    • History

      1,227 colleges

      • Associate's
      • Bachelor's
      • Master's
      • +5
      Program page

    Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services

    5 programs · 5 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the principles and procedures for providing homeland security, police, fire, and other safety services and managing penal institutions. Note: this series is titled Security and Protective Services" in the Canadian CIP."

    Interpersonal and Social Skills

    1 program

    Programs that focus on the development of methods and skills for effective interactions with others in a variety of settings (private, social, and business settings). These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Legal Professions and Studies

    5 programs · 5 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals for the legal profession, for related support professions and professional legal research, and focus on the study of legal issues in non-professional programs.

    Leisure and Recreational Activities

    2 programs

    Programs that focus on the development of an appreciation for and competency in recreational and leisure-related activities. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities

    1 program · 1 with a program page

    General instructional programs and independent or individualized studies in the liberal arts subjects, the humanities disciplines and the general curriculum.

    Library Science

    3 programs · 2 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the knowledge and skills required for managing and/or maintaining libraries and related information and record systems, collections and facilities for research and general use.

    Mathematics and Statistics

    5 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the systematic study of logical symbolic language and its applications.

    Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians

    8 programs · 6 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the adjustment, maintenance, part replacement, and repair of tools, equipment, and machines.

    Medical Residency/Fellowship Programs

    1 program

    Programs that prepare allopathic physicians (MD), osteopathic physicians (DO), and podiatrists (DPM) for certification as practitioners of recognized medical specialties. These programs are approved and accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Council on Podiatric Medical Education (CPME) and require from one to seven years to complete, depending on the program. Residency programs that also result in the completion of an academic degree (e.g., MS, PhD), should be reported under one of the clinical sciences codes located in Series 26, 51.05, or 51.14, rather than in a residency code located in Series 61. These CIP Codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Military Science, Leadership and Operational Art

    3 programs

    Instructional programs that provide professional education and training of military officers in leadership, military science and operational studies, security policy and strategy, military economics and management, and pre-officer training. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Military Technologies and Applied Sciences

    4 programs · 1 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals in specialized and advanced subject matter for the armed services and related national security organizations, including intelligence operations, military applied sciences, and military technologies.

    Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies

    50 programs · 27 with a program page

    Instructional programs that derive from two or more distinct programs to provide a cross-cutting focus on a subject concentration that is not subsumed under a single discipline or occupational field.

    Natural Resources and Conservation

    6 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the various natural resources and conservation fields and prepare individuals for related occupations.

    Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology

    5 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the principles and practices of managing parks and other recreational and fitness facilities; providing recreational, leisure and fitness services; and the study of human kinesiology and fitness.

    Personal Awareness and Self-Improvement

    1 program

    Programs that focus on the development of improved self-awareness, avoidance of stressful behavior, and improved decision-making skills. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    Philosophy and Religious Studies

    4 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on logical inquiry, philosophical analysis, and the academic study of organized systems of belief and religious practices.

    Physical Sciences

    9 programs · 8 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the scientific study of inanimate objects, processes of matter and energy, and associated phenomena.

    Precision Production

    6 programs · 2 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to create products using techniques of precision craftsmanship or technical illustration.

    Psychology

    4 programs · 4 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the scientific study of the behavior of individuals, independently or collectively, and the physical and environmental bases of mental, emotional, and neurological activity.

    Public Administration and Social Service Professions

    6 programs · 6 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to analyze, manage, and deliver public programs and services.

    Science Technologies/Technicians

    5 programs · 3 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of scientific research and development.

    Social Sciences

    14 programs · 12 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the systematic study of social systems, social institutions, and social behavior.

    Technology Education/Industrial Arts Programs

    1 program

    Reserved for use by Statistics Canada. These CIP codes are not valid for IPEDS reporting.

    • Reserved

      2 colleges

      • Associate's
      See colleges offering it

    Theology and Religious Vocations

    8 programs · 7 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the intramural study of theology and that prepare individuals for the professional practice of religious vocations.

    Transportation and Materials Moving

    4 programs · 2 with a program page

    Instructional programs that prepare individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to perform tasks and services that facilitate the movement of people or materials.

    Visual and Performing Arts

    11 programs · 9 with a program page

    Instructional programs that focus on the creation and interpretation of works and performances that use auditory, kinesthetic, and visual phenomena to express ideas and emotions in various forms, subject to aesthetic criteria.

    Program names and codes follow the federal Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).Best colleges by major

    About this directory

    Programs and counts come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard field-of-study data for colleges published on CollegesRef (reporting year 2025). A college is counted once per degree level; the number next to each program is the level most colleges offer. Program names and descriptions follow the National Center for Education Statistics Classification of Instructional Programs. Programs offered by at least 25 colleges have their own page with earnings and debt; the others link straight to the colleges that offer them.