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
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 fields of study