Each course offered at Illinois community colleges is classified according to a PCS and CIP code. The first digit of the Program Classification System or PCS code refers to the major programs (objectives) of a postsecondary institution. The major programs have been defined as:

1.0 Instruction 5.0 Student Services
2.0 Research 6.0 Institutional Support
3.0 Public Service 7.0 Independent Operations
4.0 Academic Support 8.0 Scholarships and Fellowships

The second digit in the code is used to specify subprograms. The instruction program contains the following subprograms. The highlighted numbers are ones contained in the generic course list.

0 General Associate Degrees (AGE, ALS, AGS)
1 Baccalaureate/Transfer Instruction
2 Occupational/Technical Instruction
3 Community Education (noncredit)
4 Remedial Education
5 General Studies (nonfundable)
6 Vocational Skills
7 Adult Basic Education
8 Adult Secondary Education
9 English as a Second Language (ESL)

Elimination of the ID number in the 1.1 PCS CIP codes. The ID number does not affect reporting, funding, or articulation, and therefore, is being eliminated in order to streamline and simplify this portion of the Generic Course List.