Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) Code Approval

Before You Apply for a New Course CIP Code

Before completing a course CIP application, check if the desired course CIP code has been approved for the campus by reviewing the Course CIP Codes under the Reference Codes section in eDEAR (link below). If the desired CIP code is approved for the campus, then no action is required on behalf of the institution.

If the Desired Course CIP Code is NOT Approved for the Campus, Request a New CIP Code.

1. Click "Apply for a New CIP Code" to complete and submit a course CIP code application. 
2. When completing the online application, you will need the following:
   • Course description(s) as shown in the course catalog
   • Final approval for the course(s) (i.e. curriculum committee signed minutes are acceptable and must be attached to online application)
3. Submit a course CIP code application per each desired course CIP, there is a free-form box in the application where you can add explanatory text if needed.

Course CIP Code Approval

Upon CIP code approval, P&R staff will add the new CIP code to the eDEAR system for that campus and send a confirmation email to the requesting institution. There will be no other official communication from NMHED (i.e. no letter from the Secretary, etc.). Institutions should monitor their CIP codes in the eDEAR system to assure accuracy. Please contact the P&R office via email at dina.advani@state.nm.us should any discrepancies be noted in the eDEAR system.

Which Course Changes Require a New Course CIP Code?

Do not require a new CIP code:

• changes that do not affect their CIP code assignment or
• changes that do not affect current tier placement
  • credits,
  • course prefix,
  • etc.

Require a new CIP code:

• change to the structure or content of the course that makes the current CIP code inappropriate

Before you Apply for a New Program CIP Code

Before completing a program CIP application, check if the desired program CIP code has been approved for the campus by reviewing the program CIP Codes under the Reference Codes section in eDEAR (link below). If the desired CIP code is approved for the campus, then no action is required on behalf of the institution.

If the Desired Program CIP Code is NOT Approved for the Campus, Request a New CIP Code.

1. Click "Apply for a New CIP Code" to complete and submit a program CIP code application.
2. When completing the online application, you will need the following:
   • Description of the program as seen in the catalog
   • Final approval for the program
     • For certificate programs
       • Governing board approval (signed minutes are acceptable)
     • For associate and bachelor degrees
       • Governing board approval (signed minutes are acceptable)
       • Signed letter from the NMHED Secretary
     • For graduate degrees (master's, doctorates, first-professional)
       • Governing board approval (signed minutes are acceptable)
       • Board of Finance approval (the NMHED Secretary must approve prior to a graduate program going to the Board of Finance, so that additional document is not required)
3. Submit ONLY one CIP code request application for each program. More than one program level per program CIP code request is allowed.

Program CIP Code Approval

Upon program CIP code approval, P&R staff will add the new CIP code to the eDEAR system for that campus and send a confirmation email to the requesting institution. There will be no other official communication from NMHED (i.e. no letter from the Secretary, etc.). Institutions should monitor their CIP codes in the eDear system to assure accuracy. Please contact the P&R office via email at dina.advani@state.nm.us should any discrepancies be noted.

Which Program Changes Require a New Program CIP Code?

Do not require a new CIP Code:

• changes that do not affect the program level,
• changes that do not affect the CIP code or
• changes that do not affect the tier
  • changing required credits within the program level or
  • changes to required courses

Require a New CIP code:

• change to the program's structure and content that makes the current CIP code inappropriate or
• addition of a new program level 

Note: Even if the program CIP code is already approved for the campus, documentation must be submitted for new program(s) or program level(s) for the campus to ensure the program CIP code selected is accurate, and the program(s) or program level(s) are correctly noted in eDEAR. To verify approved programs/degrees in eDEAR, along with the campus and levels that have been approved, log into eDEAR and review the Degree CIP Codes under the Reference Codes section.