Career and Technical Education

Career Education pathways prepare students for careers in occupations related to business, education, health, industry, office technology, or public service. The pathways are developed with the assistance of advisory committees representing business and industry and based on survey information identifying area personnel needs. Both certificate and degree programs are offered. Most certificate programs require one year of study; degree programs require two. Note: Because many specialized technical courses follow a specific sequence and are offered on a planned rotation rather than every semester, students are encouraged to enroll early and consult regularly with an academic advisor to create a clear pathway and stay on track for timely completion.

The overall objective of career-oriented education is to contribute to the scientific, technical, industrial, business, and economic welfare of southern Illinois through the provision of low-cost, current, college-level technical training geared to the citizens of the College district.

The career pathways are technical in nature and lie in the post-high school area. They differ in content and purpose not only from those of the trade school but also from those of the engineering college. All have in common the following purposes and characteristics:

The purpose is to prepare students for employment in high-skill career fields.

There are hands-on learning experiences provided for the student to gain perspective about their future occupation.
Methods of instruction are relatively direct with a strong emphasis on learning specific skills. Ordinarily, a high proportion of the work is done during the hours of instruction. Individualized instructional materials provide opportunities for home study and independent progress. Many pathways articulate to baccalaureate degree-granting institutions, and many individual courses are transferable. A majority of pathways have programs of study with well-defined entry and exit points.

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