Course Information

2025-2026 Academic Year

WS15 CTE Advanced Studies STEM

Course Number	WS15
Course Title	CTE Advanced Studies STEM
Course Description	Prepare for postsecondary education and future careers through analysis and research of selected career pathway. Experience real-world application of course/pathway content through a work-based learning lens acquired by utilizing employability skills in an authentic workforce activity. Evaluate and plan for a postsecondary career while educating others. Gain the knowledge and skills for careers in the pathway of choice.
Course Lead Consultant	Jim Pressly james.pressly@dpi.nc.gov
Course Status	Standard
Course Type	Developed
POL (Proof of Learning)	PBM (Performance-based Measurement)
Credential as POL	N/A
Curriculum Date	Summer 2024
Hours of Instruction	135-150
Recommended Maximum Enrollment	25
Course Credit	1
Inherently Honors	Yes
Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement	No
Math Option Credit	No
Prerequisites	Two CTE courses: one must be a concentrator course.
Career Cluster(s)	Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Pathway Level(s)	Drafting Engineering (DREN) - Career Major PLTW Engineering (PLWE) - Career Major SREB Aerospace Engineering (AEEN) - Career Major SREB Clean Energy Technology (CENT) - Career Major SREB Energy and Power (ENPO) - Career Major SREB Innovations in Science and Technology (INST) - Career Major Technology Engineering and Design (TEND) - Career Major
Aligned Credential(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
CTSO(s) (Career and Technical Student Organization)	An Association for Marketing Education Students (DECA) Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) HOSA - Future Health Professionals North Carolina FFA Association SkillsUSA Technology Student Association (TSA) The National FFA Organization
SOC Code(s) (Standard Occupational Classification Code)

Proof of Learning (POL) Specifications

CTE State Assessment: The post-assessment will be a 100-item multiple choice test administered through the NC Instructional Management System.
Credential: Please work with the specified vendor(s) to coordinate and schedule.
Performance-based Measurement (PBM): Please follow the PBM guidelines set forth in the Performance-based Measurement Guide for the specified course.

Math Option Credit

Refer to the Math Options Charts on the DPI website for more detailed math options information.

Meets Computer Science (CS) Graduation Requirement

Yes: The course meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
Yes*: The course can be offered in both middle and high school and meets the Computer Science graduation requirement.
No: The course does not meet the Computer Science graduation requirement.

Refer to the DPI website for more detailed Computer Science graduation requirement information.

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO)

Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) are an integral part of this curriculum.
CTSOs incorporate strategies used to teach course content, develop leadership, citizenship, responsibility, and proficiencies related to workplace needs.

Work-based Learning (WBL)

Work-based Learning (WBL) is an integral part of all Career and Technical Education courses in North Carolina to show curricular relevance to industry skills.
Public School Units (PSUs) are encouraged to strategically choose work-based learning strategies in alignment with unique needs, considering factors such as local employment demands, available program offerings, resources, and other pertinent considerations. Contact your local CTE administrator for more information.

WBL Courses with Academic Credit:

CTE Advanced Studies
CTE Cooperative Education
CTE Entrepreneurial Experience
CTE Internship
CTE Pre-apprenticeship
CTE Apprenticeship

WBL Activities without Academic Credit:

Guest speaker
Career fair
Job fair
Transition fair
Field trip (workplace tour)
Job shadowing
Mentoring
Service learning
School-based enterprise
Simulated workplace
Workplace challenge/Industry-sponsored project