CIP 40.0604 · CLASSIFICATION 2020

Paleontology.

A program that focuses on the scientific study of extinct life forms and associated fossil remains, and the reconstruction and analysis of ancient life forms, ecosystems, and geologic processes. Includes instruction in sedimentation and fossilization processes, fossil chemistry, evolutionary biology, paleoecology, paleoclimatology, trace fossils, micropaleontology, invertebrate paleontology, vertebrate paleontology, paleobotany, field research methods, and laboratory research and conservation methods.

How to use this list

These institutions reported at least one first-major completion in this field in the connected reporting years ending 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020. This shows historical award activity, not a complete list of available programs or an assurance that a course is accepting applications.

Compare the degree level, curriculum, teaching language and costs on the institution’s current official website. Related subjects may use different CIP codes.

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Sources: NCES CIP 2020 classification and C2023_A.zip, C2024_A.zip, C2025_A.zip, C2020_A.zip, C2021_A.zip, C2022_A.zip, C2024_A.zip.

Connected Paleontology award observations

Each row describes one ending year and award level for CIP 40.0604. Institution counts overlap across levels and years. Award counts are historical first-major awards, not unique people, available places, programme quality or a graduation rate.

Year ending	Award level	Reporting institutions	Positive awards
2025	Bachelor degree	2	10
2025	Master degree	1	5
2025	Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year	2	6
2024	Associate degree	1	4
2024	Bachelor degree	1	10
2024	Master degree	1	3
2024	Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year	2	8
2023	Associate degree	1	1
2023	Bachelor degree	1	9
2023	Master degree	1	7
2023	Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year	2	7
2022	Associate degree	1	2
2022	Bachelor degree	1	9
2022	Master degree	1	3
2022	Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year	2	5
2021	Associate degree	1	3
2021	Bachelor degree	1	2
2021	Master degree	1	2
2021	Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year	1	2
2020	Associate degree	1	1
2020	Bachelor degree	1	6
2020	Master degree	1	2
2020	Certificate 12 weeks to under 1 year	1	1

A year ending 2025 describes July 2024–June 2025. Do not add different years to estimate an entering class or current enrolment. Follow an institution's field link below to inspect the exact records.

These counts cover exact institution-ID matches to our connected directory, rather than a complete national total. Historical providers outside that population remain in the original source evidence and are not assigned invented matches. Read the population and archive rules →

Research the exact programme behind this field

CIP 40.0604 is a reporting classification. The official definition above explains its scope, while a university may use a different programme title. Related fields in classification family 40 can involve different curricula and award levels.

On the current institution website, record the exact degree title, campus, entry route, teaching language, curriculum and cycle. Compare those details with the classification definition before assuming that two similarly named degrees cover the same subject. For regulated professions, check the relevant licensing or recognition body's current requirements separately.

A positive award observation establishes historical activity in this classification. It does not confirm a current application opening, professional recognition, a specific delivery format or career outcome.

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