Best colleges for Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies
Any instructional program in area, ethnic, cultural, gender, or group studies not listed above.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 42 Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 05.9999, a specialization of Area (CIP 05.99), and leads most directly to the Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1062).
About Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies programs
Any instructional program in area, ethnic, cultural, gender, or group studies not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Area program encompasses studies in area, ethnic, cultural, gender, and group studies that are not specifically categorized elsewhere. It is designed for students interested in exploring diverse cultural perspectives and social dynamics. This program is ideal for those who wish to deepen their understanding of various groups and their interactions within society.
Learn more about Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies →
Students in the Area program develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes topics related to race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives, providing a comprehensive foundation in the social sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree12 graduates / yr · 1 institution29%
- Master's degree10 graduates / yr · 1 institution24%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 3 institutions14%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship6 graduates / yr · 1 institution14%
- Associate's degree4 graduates / yr · 1 institution9.5%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.8%
- Post-master's certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.8%
Graduates over time
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 38 |
| 2022 | 28 |
| 2023 | 50 |
| 2024 | 36 |
| 2025 | 42 |
CIP 05.9999 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 8 institutions for Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claremont Graduate University Claremont, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 16 | — | — |
| 2 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor's | 12 | 93% | — |
| 3 | Fort Peck Community College Poplar, MTPublicAssociate's | 4 | 17% | — |
| 4 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | — | — |
| 5 | Howard University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 70% | $48,194 |
| 6 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 2 | 48% | — |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 68% | — |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 76% | — |
Offered in 6 states
Where Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies graduates come from. Each state links to all Area programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | 17 | Claremont Graduate University16 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 12 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor12 / yr |
| Montana | 2 | 6 | Fort Peck Community College4 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 4 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center4 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 2 | Howard University2 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 1 | University of Arizona1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1062, Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Area program often pursue careers as Postsecondary Teachers in Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 2.4% and approximately 1,100 annual job openings. The median wage for these positions is $84,290, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 05.9999
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1062 | $85,020 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~1,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as race and ethnic relations, gender studies, and cross-cultural perspectives.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or a Doctor's degree.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can become a Postsecondary Teacher in Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 2.4% and 1,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies?+
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies is CIP 05.9999 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Area (CIP 05.99). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in area, ethnic, cultural, gender, or group studies not listed above.
How many institutions offer Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 42 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Area graduates.
How much do Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies most directly leads to, pays a median of $85,020 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Area graduates, so its figures match the Area program page.
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