KEARNEY INTERNATIONAL CENTER

Understanding Your I-20 Program Information

Sometimes the major you applied for does not match the major on your I-20. Before you assume that your program is listed incorrectly, learn about how CIP Codes are assigned and how your major is listed on your I-20. 

What is a CIP Code?

Schools throughout the United States and its territories offer thousands of similar programs of study, but each have their unique program names and descriptions. The U.S. Department of Education (ED), which collects and reports data about these programs of study, developed the classification of instructional programs (CIP) to:

  • Map those programs to a shared understanding of what a given program of study includes.
  • Collect data from schools on programs of study offered.
  • Create reports on educational trends for use by government and the public.

The CIP’s comprehensive list of programs are broken into related categories. Each program has a name and an individual code, which is listed on your I-20.

(Taken from Study in the States)

Program Names: MNSU vs. CIP Descriptions

At Minnesota State University, and most U.S. institutions, individual departments are responsible for taking an inventory of their program requirements and matching it to the CIP Code that best aligns with the program requirements. 

IMPORTANT: Your MNSU major may be listed differently on your I-20 than on your application. To ensure that your program has been added to your SEVIS record correctly, review the tables below to see the MNSU major and degree type, respective CIP Codes and Descriptions, and the number of credits needed to complete the program. 

As a standard practice, I-20s are issued for 5 years for undergraduate students to allow enough time to complete their program without needing to request a program extension. Meeting regularly with your academic advisor throughout your program will help you stay on track to finish your degree program within a reasonable timeline.

Programs in bold text are DHS STEM Designated Degree Programs.

Programs are listed in alphabetical order.

MNSU Program Name
Degree Type
CIP Code
CIP Description
Credits Needed
Accounting   BS 52.0301 Accounting 120
Agricultural Sciences   BS 1.1102 Agronomy and Crop Science 120
Alcohol and Drug Studies   BS 51.1501 Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling 120
American Indigenous Studies   BA 5.0202 American Indian/Native American Studies 120
American Indigenous Studies   BS 5.0202 American Indian/Native American Studies 120
Anthropology   BA 45.0201 Anthropology, General 120
Anthropology   BS 45.0201 Anthropology, General 120
Art   BA 50.0701 Art/Art Studies, General 120
Art   BFA 50.0702 Fine/Studio Arts, General 120
Art History   BA 50.0703 Art History, Criticism and Conservation 120
Art Teaching   BS 13.1302 Art Teacher Education 120
Automotive Engineering Technology   BS 15.0803 Automotive Engineering Technology/Technician 128
Aviation   BS 49.0101 Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General 120
Biochemistry   BA 26.0202 Biochemistry 120
Biochemistry   BS 26.0202 Biochemistry 120
Biology   BS 26.0101 Biology/Biological Sciences, General 120
Biology: Biomedical Sciences   BS 26.0101 Biology/Biological Sciences, General 120
Biotechnology   BS 26.1201 Biotechnology 120
Chemistry   BS 40.0501 Chemistry, General 120
Chemistry   BA 40.0501 Chemistry, General 120
Chemistry Teaching   BS 13.1323 Chemistry Teacher Education 120
Civil Engineering   BSCE 14.0801 Civil Engineering, General 128
Cognitive Science   BS 30.2501 Cognitive Science, General 120
Communication Arts and Literature:Education   BS 13.1305 English/Language Arts Teacher Education 120
Communication Sciences and Disorders   BS 51.0201 Communication Sciences and Disorders, General 120
Communication Studies   BS 9.0101 Speech Communication and Rhetoric 120
Community Health Education   BS 51.1504 Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling 120
Computer Application Development   BAS 11.0201 Computer Programming/Programmer, General 120
Computer Engineering   BSEC 14.0901 Computer Engineering, General 128
Computer Engineering Technology   BS 15.1201 Computer Engineering Technology/Technician 128
Computer Information Technology   BS 11.0103 Information Technology 120
Computer Science   BS 11.0701 Computer Science 120
Construction Management   BS 52.2001 Construction Management, General 120
Corrections   BS 43.0102 Corrections 120
Creative Writing   BA 23.1302 Creative Writing 120
Criminal Justice   BS 43.0104 Criminal Justice/Safety Studies 120
Dance   BA 50.0301 Dance, General 120
Dance   BFA 50.0301 Dance, General 120
Dance   BS 50.0301 Dance, General 120
Dance Education (K-12)  BS 13.1324 Drama and Dance Teacher Education 120
Earth Science   BS 40.0601 Geology/Earth Science, General 120
Earth Science Teaching (5-12)  BS 13.1337 Earth Science Teacher Education 120
Economics   BA 45.0601 Economics, General 120
Economics   BS 45.0601 Economics, General 120
Electrical Engineering   BSEE 14.1001 Electrical and Electronics Engineering 128
Electronic Engineering Technology   BS 15.0303 Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Eng Technology/Technician 128
Elementary Education   BS 13.1202 Elementary Education and Teaching 120
English Literature   BA 23.1401 General Literature 120
English Studies   BA 23.0101 English Language and Literature, General 120
English: Creative Writing   BFA 23.1302 Creative Writing 120
Environmental Science   BS 3.0104 Environmental Science 120
Ethnic Studies   BS 5.0200 Ethnic Studies 120
Exercise Science   BS 31.0501 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 120
Family Consumer Science   BS 19.0101 Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General 120
Family Consumer Science Education   BS 13.1308 Family and Consumer Sciences/Home Economics Teacher Education 120
Film and Media Studies   BA 50.0601 Film/Cinema/Media Studies 120
Finance   BS 52.0801 Finance, General 120
Food Science Technology   BS 1.1002 Food Technology and Processing 120
French   BA 16.0901 French Language and Literature 120
French   BS 16.0901 French Language and Literature 120
French Teaching   BS 13.1325 French Language Teacher Education 120
Gender and Women's Studies   BA 5.0207 Women's Studies 120
Gender and Women's Studies   BS 5.0207 Women's Studies 120
Geography   BA 45.0701 Geography 120
Geography   BS 45.0701 Geography 120
Geography: Professional   BA 45.0701 Geography 120
Geography: Professional   BS 45.0701 Geography 120
Geology   BS 40.0601 Geology/Earth Science, General 120
German   BA 16.0501 German Language and Literature 120
German   BS 16.0501 German Language and Literature 120
German Teaching   BS 13.1326 German Language Teacher Education 120
Health and Physical Education   BS 13.1307 Health Teacher Education 120
Health Informatics   BS 51.2706 Medical Informatics 120
History   BA 54.0101 History, General 120
History   BS 54.0101 History, General 120
Integrated Engineering   BSE 14.0101 Engineering, General 128
Interdisciplinary Humanities   BA 24.0103 Humanities/Humanistic Studies 120
Interdisciplinary Studies   BS 30.9999 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 120
International Relations   BA 45.0901 International Relations and Affairs 120
Law Enforcement   BS 43.0107 Criminal Justice/Police Science 120
Liberal Arts and Sciences   AA 24.0101 Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies 60
Life Science Teaching (5-12)  BS 13.1322 Biology Teacher Education 120
Management   BS 52.0201 Business Administration and Management, General 120
Management Information Systems   BS 11.0103 Information Technology 120
Manufacturing Engineering Technology   BS 15.0613 Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician 128
Marketing   BS 52.1401 Marketing/Marketing Management, General 120
Mass Communication   BA 9.0102 Mass Communication/Media Studies 120
Mass Communication   BS 9.0102 Mass Communication/Media Studies 120
Mathematics   BA 27.0101 Mathematics, General 120
Mathematics   BS 27.0101 Mathematics, General 120
Mathematics Teaching   BS 13.1311 Mathematics Teacher Education 120
Mechanical Engineering   BSME 14.1901 Mechanical Engineering 128
Medical Laboratory Science   BS 51.1005 Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology/Technologist 120
Music   BA 50.0901 Music, General 120
Music Education   BS 13.1312 Music Teacher Education 120
Music Industry   BS 50.1003 Music Management 120
Music Industry, Audio Production   BS 10.0203 Recording Arts Technology/Technician 120
Nursing   BS 51.3801 Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse 120
Philosophy   BA 38.0101 Philosophy 120
Philosophy, Politics and Economics   BA 30.0000 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General 120
Physical Education & Developmental Adapted Phy Ed   BS 31.0501 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 120
Physics   BS 40.0801 Physics, General 120
Physics Teaching   BS 13.1329 Physics Teacher Education 120
Political Science   BA 45.1001 Political Science and Government, General 120
Political Science   BS 45.1001 Political Science and Government, General 120
Psychology   BS 42.0101 Psychology, General 120
Recreation, Parks and Leisure Services   BS 31.0301 Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Gen 120
Scandinavian Studies   BA 5.0111 Scandinavian Studies 120
School Health Education   BS 13.1307 Health Teacher Education 120
Social Studies   BS 45.0101 Social Sciences, General 120
Social Studies Teaching   BS 13.1318 Social Studies Teacher Education 120
Social Work   BSSW 44.0701 Social Work 120
Sociology   BA 45.1101 Sociology, General 120
Sociology   BS 45.1101 Sociology, General 120
Spanish   BA 16.0905 Spanish Language and Literature 120
Spanish for the Professions   BS 16.0905 Spanish Language and Literature 120
Spanish Teaching   BS 13.1330 Spanish Language Teacher Education 120
Special Education: Academic and Behavioral Strateg   BS 13.1001 Special Education and Teaching, General 120
Sport Management   BS 31.0504 Sport and Fitness Administration/Management 120
Statistics   BS 27.0501 Statistics, General 120
Theatre Arts   BA 50.0501 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 120
Theatre Arts   BFA 50.0501 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 120
Theatre Arts   BS 50.0501 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 120
Urban and Regional Studies   BS 45.1201 Urban Studies/Affairs 120

As a standard practice, I-20s are issued for 3 years for graduate students to allow enough time to complete their program without needing to request a program extension. Meeting regularly with your academic advisor throughout your program will help you stay on track to finish your degree program within a reasonable timeline.

Programs in bold text are DHS STEM Designated Degree Programs.

Programs are listed in alphabetical order.

MNSU Program Name
Degree Type
CIP Code
CIP Description
Credits Needed
Accounting  MACC 52.0301 Accounting 30
Advanced Dental Therapy   MS 51.0504 Dental Public Health and Education 37
Aging Studies   MS 19.0702 Adult Development and Aging 34
Anthropology   MS 45.0201 Anthropology, General 30
Applied Statistics   MS 27.0601 Statistics, Other 34
Art   MA 50.0701 Art/Art Studies, General 34
Athletic Training   MS 51.0913 Athletic Training/Trainer 48
Biology   MS 26.0101 Biology/Biological Sciences, General 30
Biology Education   MS 13.1322 Biology Teacher Education 30
Business Administration   MBA 52.0201 Business Administration and Management, General 34
Clinical Psychology   MA 42.2801 Clinical Psychology 50
Communication and Composition   MS 9.0101 Speech Communication and Rhetoric 37
Communication Sciences and Disorders   MS 51.0201 Communication Sciences and Disorders, General 52
Communication Studies   MA 9.0101 Speech Communication and Rhetoric 33
Communication Studies   MS 9.0101 Speech Communication and Rhetoric 36
Community Health Education   MS 51.2208 Community Health and Preventive Medicine 34
Counseling and Student Personnel   MS 51.1508 Mental Health Counseling/Counselor 60
Counselor Education and Supervision   EDD 13.1101 Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services 108
Creative Writing   MFA 23.1302 Creative Writing 48
Cross-Disciplinary Studies MS 30.9999 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other 37
Data Science   MS 11.0103 Information Technology 32
Education   MAT 13.0101 Education, General 34
Educational Leadership   MS 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General 33
Educational Leadership   EDD 13.0401 Educational Leadership and Administration, General 90
Electrical Engineering   MS 14.1001 Electrical and Electronics Engineering 32
Engineering   MS 14.0101 Engineering, General 32
Engineering Management   PSM 15.1501 Engineering/Industrial Management 32
Environmental Science   MS 3.0104 Environmental Science 34
Ethnic and Multi-Cultural Studies  MS 5.0200 Ethnic Studies 33
Exercise Physiology   MS 26.0908 Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology 34
Experiential Education   MS 31.0601 Outdoor Education 34
Forensics & Communication   MFA 9.0101 Speech Communication and Rhetoric 48
French   MS 16.0901 French Language and Literature 34
French Education   MS 13.1325 French Language Teacher Education 34
Gender and Women's Studies   MS 5.0207 Women's Studies 34
Gender and Women's Studies   MA 5.0207 Women's Studies 30
Geographic Information Science   PSM 45.0702 Geographic Information Science and Cartography 30
Geography   MS 45.0701 Geography 34
Health Informatics & Analytics   PSM 51.2706 Medical Informatics 31
History   MA 54.0101 History, General 30
History   MS 54.0101 History, General 34
Industrial/Organizational Psychology   MA 42.2804 Industrial and Organizational Psychology 44
Information Technology   MS 11.0103 Information Technology 32
Manufacturing Engineering Technology   MS 15.0613 Manufacturing Engineering Technology/Technician 34
Mathematics   MA 27.0101 Mathematics, General 34
Mathematics and Statistics   MS 27.0101 Mathematics, General 34
Mathematics Education   MS 13.1311 Mathematics Teacher Education 34
Mechanical Engineering   MS 14.1901 Mechanical Engineering 32
Music   MM 50.0901 Music, General 34
Nursing Practice   DNP 51.3808 Nursing Science 80
Nursing Practice (from MSN)   DNP 51.3808 Nursing Science 80
Nursing Practice (from MSN)   DNP 51.3808 Nursing Science 80
Physical Education   MA 31.0501 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 34
Physical Education   MA 31.0501 Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General 34
Physics   MS 40.0801 Physics, General 34
Public Administration and Community Management   MA 45.1201 Urban Studies/Affairs 36
School Psychology   PSYD 42.2805 School Psychology 106
School Psychology   MS 42.2805 School Psychology 34
Social Work   MSW 44.0701 Social Work 59
Sociology Corrections   MS 43.0102 Corrections 33
Sociology Human Service Planning & Administration   MS 44.0000 Human Services, General 33
Sociology: General   MA 45.1101 Sociology, General 33
Spanish   MS 16.0905 Spanish Language and Literature 30
Sport and Exercise Psychology   MA 31.0508 Sports Studies 36
Theatre Arts   MFA 50.0501 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 60
Theatre Arts   MA 50.0501 Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General 34
Urban Planning   MA 4.0301 City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning 36

What if I can't find my major in the tables above?

MNSU programs that aren't listed in the tables above are not eligible for I-20 issuance for one or more of the following reasons:

  • The program may be 100% online.
  • "Pre-professional" programs (ex. pre-med) are supplemental academic paths and are not considered a major.
  • Certificate programs are not majors and cannot be listed on an I-20.

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