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