Course Information

2026-2027 Academic Year

DRAFT CMS until August 14, 2026.

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WS13 CTE Advanced Studies PSSA Honors

Course Code	WS13
Course Title	CTE Advanced Studies PSSA Honors
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.
Cluster Grouping	Caring for Communities
Career Cluster	Public Service and Safety (PSSA)
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.
Cluster Grouping(s)	Caring for Communities
Career Cluster(s)	Public Service and Safety (PSSA)
Pathway Level(s)	Emergency Management (EMMG) - Career Major Emergency Medical Technology (EMMT) - Career Major Firefighter Technology (FIFI) - Career Major Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (JROTC) (JRTC) - Career Major Law and Justice (LAWJ) - Career Major Public Safety (PSPW) - 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)	Detectives and Criminal Investigators (33-3021) First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers (33-1011) First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives (33-1012) Management Analysts (13-1111) Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (33-3051)

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.

Recommended Maximum Enrollment
Indicates the recommended maximum number of students who should be enrolled in a course based on best educational practice.

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.

Math Option Credit
Refer to the Math Options Charts on the DPI website for more detailed math options 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 educational strategy within the North Carolina Career and Technical Education (CTE) system. It provides students with real-world work experiences, allowing them to apply academic and technical skills while developing crucial durable employability skills. These experiences occur at employer worksites, coordinated with school-based activities to illustrate the practical relevance of academic learning.

Work-based learning strategies, integral to all CTE career clusters in North Carolina, encompass the four phases of the Career Development Continuum: career awareness, exploration, preparation, and participation as noted in the image below. Learn more at Career Development and Work-based Learning | NC DPI.

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
Workplace challenge/Industry-sponsored project