CTE Programs of Study

The Animal Science program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the science, research, and business of animals and other living organisms. This program of study includes applying biology and life science to real-world life processes of animals and wildlife, either in laboratories or in the field, which could include a veterinary office, a farm or ranch, or any outdoor area harboring animal life. Students will research and analyze the growth and destruction of species and research or diagnose diseases and injuries of animals.

Required Prerequisites:

• Advanced Animal Science - Biology and Chemistry or IPC; Algebra I and Geometry; and at least one of the following: Small Animal Management, Equine Science, Livestock Production
• Veterinary Medical Applications - At least one of the following: Equine Science, Small Animal Management, Livestock Production

The Food Science and Technology program of study focuses on the occupational and educational opportunities associated with the research, production, and processing of food from plants and animals. This program of study includes exploration of safety, processing, preserving, packaging, and storing food for human consumption. 

The Plant Science program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the science, research, and business of plants and other living organisms. This program of study includes the application of biology and life science to real-world life processes of plants and vegetation, either in laboratories or in the field.

Required Prerequisites:

• Horticulture Science - At least one credit in a course from the AFNR career cluster; Principles of Ag or Greenhouse Operations recommended
• Advanced Floral Design - Floral Design

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Advanced Plant and Soil Science - Biology, IPC, Chemistry, or Physics, and at least one course from the Plant Science program of study

The Electrical program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures. The program of study also addresses installing and repairing telecommunications cable including fiber optics.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Electrical Technology I & II - Principles of Construction

Required Prerequisites:

• Electrical Technology II - Electrical Technology I
• Practicum in Construction Technology - Electrical Technology II

The HVAC and Sheet Metal program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with installing, servicing, or repairing heating and air conditioning systems. The program of study addresses fabrication, assembly, installation, and repair of sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings.

The Digital Communications program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the production of audio and visual media formats for various purposes, such as TV broadcasts, advertising, video production, or motion pictures. The program of study includes operating machines and equipment such as microphones, sound speakers, video screens, projectors, video monitors, sound and mixing boards, and related electronic equipment to record sound and images.

Recommended Prerequisites

• A/V Production I - Principles of AATV

Required Prerequisites

• A/V Production II - A/V Production I
• Practicum in A/V - A/V Production II

The Business Management program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with planning, directing,  and coordinating the administrative services and operations of an organization. It includes formulating policies, managing daily operations,  and allocating the use of materials and human resources. This program of study also introduces students to mathematical modeling tools and organizational evaluation methods.

The Entrepreneurship program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with planning, launching, directing, and coordinating public or private sector ventures. This program of study includes formulating policies, launching businesses or organizations, managing daily operations, analyzing management structures, and planning for the use of materials and human resources.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Entrepreneurship I - Principles of BMF
• Practicum of BMF - At least two courses in a CTE program of study (Entrep I & II recommended)

Required Prerequisites:

• Entrepreneurship II - Entrepreneurship I

The Culinary Arts program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the planning, directing, or coordinating activities of a food and beverage organization or department. This program of study includes opportunities involved in directing and participating in the preparation of food.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Culinary Arts - Intro to Culinary

Required Prerequisites:

• Advanced Culinary Arts - Culinary Arts
• Practicum in Culinary Arts - Culinary Arts

Students must attempt and earn their Food Handlers Certification to be eligible for Food Manager's Certification. 

The Cybersecurity program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with planning, implementing, upgrading, or monitoring security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. This program of study includes responding to computer security breaches and viruses and administering network security measures.

The Welding Program of Study focuses on the development and use of automatic and computer-controlled machines, tools, and robots that perform work on metal or plastic. CTE learners will learn how to modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain individual machines and how to use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Introduction to Welding - Algebra I
• Welding I - Algebra I, Intro to Welding
• Welding II - Algebra I or Geometry

Required Prerequisites:

• Welding II - Welding I

The Automotive and Collision Repair program of study focuses on the occupational and educational opportunities associated with servicing, repairing, and refinishing various types of vehicles. This program of study includes diagnosing and servicing vehicles and learning about processes, technologies, and materials used in reconstructing vehicles.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Automotive Technology I - Automotive Basics

Required Prerequisites:

• Automotive Technology II - Automotive Technology I

The Teaching and Training program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with careers related to teaching, instructing, and creating instructional and enrichment materials. The program of study includes recognizing a variety of student groups and their corresponding needs, identifying processes for developing curriculum and coordinating educational content, and coaching groups and individuals.

The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with diagnosing and treating acute, episodic, or chronic illness independently or as part of a healthcare team. This program of study includes exploration of patient treatment and rehabilitative programs that help build or restore daily living skills to persons with disabilities or developmental delays.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Anatomy & Physiology - one course from the Health Science career cluster
• Medical Assistant - Medical Terminology
• Pathophysiology - Anatomy & Physiology

Required Prerequisites:

• Health Science Theory - Biology and one credit from the Health Science career cluster
• Anatomy & Physiology - Biology and Chemistry, IPC or Physics
• Medical Assistant - Anatomy & Physiology (may be a corequisite)
• Pathophysiology - Biology, Chemistry, and one credit from a Level 2 or higher Health Science course (Year 2 or greater)
• Practicum in Health Science - Health Science Theory and Biology

The Law Enforcement program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with the development and enforcement of laws by various branches of law enforcement. This program of study includes the history, organization, and functions of local, state, and federal law enforcement. Students will understand the role of constitutional law at local, state, and federal levels; the U.S. legal system; criminal law; and law enforcement terminology and the classification and elements of crime.

Recommended Prerequisites:

• Law Enforcement I - Principles of Law
• Law Enforcement II - Law Enforcement I

Required Prerequisites:

• Forensic Science - Biology, Chemistry or Physics

Students will be subject to a federal background check as part of the certification process for the Non-Commissioned Security Officer Level II from the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

The Cybersecurity program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with planning, implementing, upgrading, or monitoring security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. This program of study includes responding to computer security breaches and viruses and administering network security measures.

The Programming and Software Development program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with researching, designing, developing, testing, and operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computer applications. This program of study includes creating, modifying, and testing the codes, forms, and script that allow computer applications to run.

Recommended Prerequisites: 

• AP Computer Science A - Algebra I

Required Prerequisites:

• Computer Science I - Algebra I
• Computer Science II - Algebra I and either Computer Science I or Fundamentals of Computer Science
• Computer Science III - Computer Science II or AP Computer Science A