Course Catalog & Curriculum
Program of Studies
The CTECS Program of Studies serves as a comprehensive guide to the academic and career and technical education (CTE) courses, graduation requirements, and career pathways available to students. It is designed to help students and families understand the educational opportunities offered at CTECS and make informed decisions when planning for high school and beyond.
The curriculum reflects CTECS' commitment to providing a rigorous, integrated educational experience. Students complete all Connecticut high school graduation requirements while participating in a comprehensive technical program that combines challenging academics with hands-on, real-world learning. Academic and technical instructors work together to deliver applied learning experiences that strengthen critical thinking, communication, and technical skills while preparing students for employment, registered apprenticeships, military service, or postsecondary education.
Ninth-grade students begin with a technical exploratory program before selecting one of CTECS' career pathways. From grades 10–12, students follow a structured sequence of academic and technical coursework designed to build both theoretical knowledge and industry-ready skills. CTECS career and technical education programs align with the National Career Clusters® Framework, ensuring students graduate prepared for success in Connecticut's evolving workforce.
This Program of Studies reflects CTECS' vision of serving as Connecticut's premier pipeline for the skilled workforce by providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed for lifelong learning and career success.
Career and Technical Clusters
Career and Technical Programs offered by the Connecticut technical high schools are grouped into career clusters as follows:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Arts, Entertainment, and Design
- Healthcare and Human Services
- Hospitality, Events, and Tourism
- Digital Technology
- Public Service and Safety
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Supply Chain and Transportation
Each career and technical program within each cluster has a specific three-and-a-half-year program of study that outlines all academic and technical coursework required for students enrolled.
The career programs taught within each cluster are within the following tabs:
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The Agriculture Cluster provides students with theoretical knowledge and skills for careers in water and air pollution control, recycling waste disposal, public health issues, as well as perform a variety of tasks from helping to develop, maintain and manage the forest and natural environment. CTECS graduates may complete competency credential or certification eligibility for entry-level employment in a variety of healthcare and bioscience settings or continue their studies at post-secondary institutions. CTECS students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in one (1) of the following programs:
• Bioscience and Environmental Technology
• Veterinary Science
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
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Construction cluster provides students with the theoretical knowledge and skills for entry-level employment in the residential, commercial and industrial construction areas or in postsecondary institutions. CTECS students concentrate their studies and receive a career and technical certificate in one (1) of the following programs:
- Architecture
- Building and Civil Construction
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
- Landscape Design, Installation, and Equipment
- Masonry
- Plumbing and Heating
- Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
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The Arts, Entertainment, and Design cluster prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills, including planning, organizing, evaluating, creating and performing in Arts and Media. Students will apply technical knowledge and skills to enter the fields of media, music and theatre production technology. Graduates will be able to pursue postsecondary studies in media, music and theatre production areas. Students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in the following program:
- Digital Media
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered. -
The Healthcare and Human Services cluster provides students with theoretical knowledge and clinical skills for careers in planning, managing and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health informatics, support services, and biotechnology research and development. Graduates may complete a competency credential or certification eligibility or entry-level employment in a variety of healthcare and bioscience settings or continue their eligibility for entry-level employment in a variety of healthcare and bioscience settings or continue their studies at a post-secondary institution. Students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in one (1) of the following programs:
- Biotechnology
- Hairdressing and Cosmetology
- Health Technology
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
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The Hospitality, Events, and Tourism cluster provides students with theoretical knowledge and skills for entry level employment in the management, marketing and operation of restaurants, bakeries or lodging and travel-related services. Graduates find employment in a wide variety of service occupations or continue their studies at post-secondary institutions. Students concentrate their studies and receive a career and technical certification in one (1) of the following programs:
- Culinary Arts
- Guest Services Management
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
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Digital Technology cluster prepares students to apply technical knowledge and skills designing, developing, managing and supporting hardware, software, multimedia and systems integration services. Also included in this cluster are programs providing training in electronics technology and graphic technology. Graduates enter a wide variety of high-technology positions or continue their studies at postsecondary institutions. Students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in one (1) of the following programs:
- **Electronics Technology
- Graphics Technology
- Information Technology
**Electronics Technology and Mechatronics is in the process of being phased out and will end in June 2028. It is being replaced with Robotics and Automation.
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered. -
The Public Service and Safety cluster provides students with the theoretical knowledge and skills for entry-level employment in the areas of criminal investigative techniques, crime scene investigation, advanced forensic techniques, fire science, scene management, scene safety and emergency medicine. Students also have the opportunity to continue their studies at postsecondary institutions. Students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in the following program:
- Criminal Justice and Protective Services
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
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The Advance Manufacturing cluster provides students with the theoretical knowledge and skills for careers in planning, managing and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products, and related professional and technical support activities. Students also have the opportunity to continue their studies at postsecondary institutions. Students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in one (1) of the following programs:
- Aerospace Component Manufacturing Technology
- Mechanical Design and Engineering Technology
- **Mechatronics
- Precision Machining Technology
- Robotics and Automation
- Welding and Metal Fabrication
***Electronics Technology and Mechatronics is in the process of being phased out and will end in June 2028. It is being replaced with Robotics and Automation.
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
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The Supply Chain and Transportation cluster provides students with the theoretical knowledge and skills for careers in the planning, management and movement of people, materials and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional/technical support services. Students will apply technical knowledge and skills in diagnostics, repair and maintenance of automotive and heavy-duty engines and equipment. Students also have the opportunity to continue their studies at postsecondary institutions. Students concentrate their studies and earn a career and technical certificate in one (1) of the following programs:
- Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing
- Automotive Technology
- Diesel and Heavy-Duty Equipment Repair
Click here to view the course sequences and courses offered.
Academic Courses
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Visual Arts
Scope:
In accordance with the CTECS Visual Arts program philosophy, the arts program is responsive to our learners in the CTECS schools. The program supports the CTECS mission and teaches visual literacy and 21st-century skills. The courses offered below are designed to enable students to build upon foundation skills in visual arts before continuing to more in-depth study in the arts, as well as provide students access to visual arts classes at all grade levels.
Course selections are customized per location.
Courses that may be repeated for credit are indicated.
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Music Education is crucial to personal success as we move forward in the 21st Century. In preparing to enter today's ever-changing workplace, students are asked to demonstrate skills in communication, technology, and teamwork. Music Education is a tremendous vehicle to develop these highly desired skills.
Music is a rich and fundamental subject with a compelling history and vibrant culture. Music is a common language that reaches across boundaries to bring cultures together and creates a global understanding. Music allows high school students to explore the vast expanse of feeling and emotion beyond the limitations of words. These experiences inspire them to become lifelong learners who appreciate and value music.
Music courses meet the electives credit requirements for graduation.
Course selections are customized per location.
Courses that may be repeated for credit are indicated.Courses Offered
- Concert Band
- Concert Choir
- Music Applications
- Introduction to Guitar
- Advanced Guitar
- Introduction to Drumline
- Advanced Drumline
- Piano
- Drumline and Piano
- Voice Class
- Advanced Music Independent Study
- Music Therapy
- Electronic Music I
- Electronic Music II
- Popular Music and Diversity in American Society – UConn ECE
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Scope:
The vision for literacy in the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System is to cultivate literate and productive students who are college, career, and life ready. The mission at CTECS is to develop relevant, lifelong reading and writing habits in our students that will enhance their learning pathways and prepare them for success in a global community.
The English/Language Arts program in Grades 9–12 promotes critical thinking, reading, writing, listening, speaking, viewing, and researching skills that students use to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize text. The curriculum actively engages students in reading and reflecting on a wide range of texts with opportunities to develop thinking and writing skills.
Through student-centered whole-class, small-group, and independent reading and reflection, students in high school English/Language Arts classes develop an understanding of language and its use to convey meaning and provide insight about the world around them.
Literacy is a complex skill that must be explicitly taught and actively practiced across all disciplines, both academic and trade. The CTECS English/Language Arts Curriculum supports the development of skills recommended by the CT Core ELA Standards, 21st Century Learning Standards, and Career Technical Education (CTE) Career Ready Practices.
Course selections are customized per location. Courses that are NCAA approved are indicated. Courses that may be repeated for credit are indicated.
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English / Language Development Courses
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The following are approved elective courses that may not be offered at all sites. Please contact the respective school's Counseling Department for information about its elective offerings.
Computer Education
- Computer Applications I (TC619, TC624)
- Computer Applications II (TC620, TC628)
- Computer Applications III (TC625)
- Computer Applications IV (TC626)
Student Development
- Student Leadership (SD123, SD124, SD130)
- Enrichment Topics 9 (SD160, SD161, SD162)
- Enrichment Topics 10 (SD163, SD164, SD165)
- Enrichment Topics 11 (SD166, SD167, SD168)
- Enrichment Topics 12 (SD158, SD159)
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HONORS AND ADVANCED ACADEMIC COURSE PLACEMENT CRITERIA
Honors and advanced placement courses provide students with more challenging and rigorous learning experiences. For this reason, careful consideration is given to the placement of a student into an honors or advanced placement course.
Student placement into an honors-level course for each academic area is based on the academic criteria provided below.
General Program of Studies Information
The following information provides important details related to the Program of Studies, including graduation requirements, promotion standards, technical exploration, college credit opportunities, and other academic policies.
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CTECS students must meet requirements in the following areas to earn a CTECS high school diploma: attendance, credits, courses, a senior summative assessment, and Basic Skills requirements.
CTECS provides students with a dual education in academics and the trade area. Students must earn the required academic and trade graduation credit requirements to be awarded a high school diploma from CTECS.
Credit Requirements for Graduation
Thirty (30) credits are required for graduation and must include courses from the following content areas:
Requirement Credits Career Technical Education (CTE) Program CTE Exploratory Program – Grade 9* 3 CTE Program – Grade 10 3 CTE Program – Grade 11 3 CTE Program – Grade 12 3 Academics English 4 Social Studies (includes Civics and U.S. History) 3 Arts, Music, Tier 3 Literacy, Personal Finance Management, Financial Literacy, other electives in English and Social Studies, **Spanish II & III 2 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Mathematics 3 Science 3 Other Requirements Physical Education and Wellness* 1 Health and Safety Education** 1 Presentation of Capstone Project (required for graduation) World Languages*** 1
* PE cannot be waived unless participation in physical education is medically contraindicated, and physicians, APRNs, and physician assistants certify such a condition.** A student who transfers mid-year in Grade 9 or enters Grade 10 may be eligible for exemption from all or a portion of the Exploratory Program and Health Education credit requirement.
** English Language Development credit, Spanish II, Spanish III, or Career Portfolio class credit may be used to fulfill the elective portion of the graduation category credit under the Humanities.
*** Students who have successfully passed a world language course in middle school may meet the World Language graduation requirement at CTECS if all curriculum and instructional time requirements established by the Connecticut State Department of Education were met. Middle school students receiving Spanish I credit are encouraged to register in Spanish II or Spanish III if available.
Students receiving middle school credit for languages other than Spanish are encouraged to enroll in Spanish I and Spanish II. Students who are heritage speakers of Spanish may also consider enrolling in Spanish for Heritage Speakers Level I and Level II, which are designed to build upon their existing language proficiency and cultural knowledge. These additional Spanish courses may count as a Humanities credit.
Please note that most four-year colleges require a two- to three-year sequence of study in the same World Language.
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Promotion Requirements
- To achieve 10th grade status, a student must earn 7.0 credits.
- To achieve 11th grade status, a student must earn 14.5 credits and receive a 60 or higher in the CTE program. A student cannot be promoted to the next grade level with a failure in the CTE program.
- To achieve 12th grade status, a student must earn 22.5 credits and receive a 60 or higher in the CTE program. A student cannot be promoted to the next grade level with a failure in the CTE program.
- 12th grade students must earn a minimum of 6.5 credits, including 3 credits in the Grade 12 CTE program, participate in a senior summative assessment in the CTE program, and successfully complete a Presentation of Capstone Project.
Successful completion of CTECS career technical education and academic courses is necessary each year to ensure that students earn the credits required for graduation. If students do not meet the minimum credit requirement as they progress from grade to grade, they will have difficulty completing the CTECS program. In addition, students must meet established course prerequisites. For example, successful completion of Algebra I is required before enrolling in Algebra II.
If a student does not meet the minimum requirements for promotion, the deficiency may be addressed through one of the following options:
- Summer school, where available.
- CTECS-approved correspondence and online credit recovery courses.
- Repeating the grade, space permitting, after administrative review.
- Exiting CTECS and enrolling in the student's local school district.
- See the exception below regarding mathematics.
Online Coursework for Credit
CTECS may grant credit toward graduation requirements upon the successful completion of online coursework based on the following guidelines:
- The workload required by the online course is equivalent to that of a similar course taught in a traditional classroom setting.
- The content is rigorous and aligned with curriculum guidelines approved by the State Board of Education, where appropriate.
- The course engages students and includes interactive components, which may include, but are not limited to, required interactions between students and teachers, participation in online demonstrations, discussion boards, or virtual labs.
- The program of instruction for the online coursework is planned, ongoing, and systematic.
- The courses are either:
- Taught by teachers certified in Connecticut or another state who have received training in teaching within an online environment; or
- Offered by institutions of higher education accredited by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Office of Higher Education, or a regional accrediting organization.
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The Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) ensures that each ninth-grade student participates in the career and technical exploratory program. The exploratory program introduces students to the goals and objectives of each career and technical program, provides career information, and offers an objective measure of student performance and potential for success in each technical area.
The ninth-grade exploratory process serves as an assessment of each student's technical aptitudes. The exploratory program is divided into three phases:
- Phase I: Students receive career information about each career and technical program offered.
- Phase II: Students participate in hands-on experiences in three trade technology areas.
- Phase III: Students receive a permanent placement in the career and technical program they will study during Grades 10–12.
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The College Career Pathways (CCP) program encourages and prepares Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) students to pursue an associate or baccalaureate degree in their chosen career and technical education area. In Connecticut, students can attend CT State Community College for FREE using Pledge to Advance CT (PACT). Students have the opportunity to earn college credit in a non-duplicative sequence of coursework. Please contact your school counseling department for information on eligibility and course offerings.
In addition, CTECS has partnerships with Johnson and Wales University, IYRS School of Technology and Trades, Lincoln Technical Institute, University of Northwestern Ohio and the New England Institute of Technology, and the Universal Technical Institute. Students have the opportunity to earn career and college credit and/or opportunities for advanced standing by successfully completing their high school technical program. For more information, contact the high school’s counseling department.
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Advanced Placement Courses (AP) allow students to take college level courses while still in high school. These courses present students with the opportunity to earn college credit, gain experience with college level work, and stand out in the college admissions process. Current AP courses offered in the CTECS include:
• AP 2-D Art and Design
• English 10: AP Seminar
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature and Composition
• Pre-AP Algebra I
• Pre-AP Algebra II
• AP Precalculus
• AP Statistics
• AP Biology
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Human Geography
• AP US Government and Politics
• AP Psychology
NOTE: AP Classes are not offered in every school location. Check with the school counselor for more information. See the Academic Course selection for courses and descriptions.
UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE (ECE)
UConn Early College Experience (ECE) provides students the opportunity to take university courses while still in high school. These challenging courses allow students to preview college work, build confidence in their readiness for college, and earn college credits that provide both an academic and a financial head start on a college degree.
ECE instructors, who are certified as adjunct professors by UConn faculty, create a classroom environment fostering independent learning, creativity and critical thinking – all pivotal for success in college. To support rigorous learning, University of Connecticut library resources are made available to all ECE students.
ECE students must successfully complete the courses with a grade of C or better to receive university credit. University credits are highly transferable to other universities. Students are charged a nominal per credit fee. The fee is waived for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. For additional information, visit: ECE UConn.
UConn EARLY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE PROGRAM COURSES
• Introduction to Allied Health Professions – UConn ECE
• Drawing – UConn ECE
• Popular Music and Diversity in American Society – UConn ECE
• Introduction to Academic Writing – UConn ECE
• Seminar and Studio in Academic Writing and Multimodal Composition – UConn ECE
• Calculus I – UConn ECE
• Calculus II – UConn ECE
• Biotechnology – UConn ECE
• General Physics – UConn ECE
• Principles of Biology – UConn ECE
• Chemistry 1128Q – UConn ECE
• Chemistry 1127Q – UConn ECE
• Seminar in American Studies – UConn ECE
• United States History to 1877 – UConn ECE
• United States History Since 1877 – UConn ECE
• Economics – UConn ECE
• Introduction to Human Rights – UConn ECE
• Western Traditions Before 1500 – UConn ECE
Note: ECE courses are not offered in every school location. Check with the school counselor for more information. See the Academic Course selection for courses and descriptions.
Academic and Technical Curriculum
The Program of Studies provides an overview of courses and graduation requirements. For detailed curriculum documents, including course competencies, learning objectives, and instructional frameworks for each academic subject and career pathway, visit the CTECS Curriculum Resources page.