Montgomery County Public Schools
Career and
Technology
Education
C L U S T E R S
Career Technology Education (CTE) Clusters
TODAY’S INFORMATION-BASED ECONOMY demands highly skilled individuals with the ability to work with people from different cultural and educational
backgrounds. Therefore, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) strives to provide
students with an education that combines rigorous academic and technical study with
the excitement of discovery through small learning communities and career-themed programs of study (POS). With the support of the business and higher education communities, students apply their acquired skills and knowledge to make informed decisions
concerning education, careers, and a path toward lifelong learning.
The purpose of the CTE career cluster model is to direct high school students toward
focused POS that make their experiences more meaningful by relating future goals to
current coursework. The MCPS CTE clusters are based on what students need to know
and be able to do in order to graduate prepared for further education and careers in the
21st century. The following are the 11 MCPS CTE clusters listed in this brochure, along
with our College/Career Research Development (CCRD) POS:
¡¡ Arts, Humanities, Media, and Communications
¡¡ Business Management and Finance
¡¡ College/Career Research and Development
¡¡ Construction Technology Programs
¡¡ Education, Training, and Child Studies
¡¡ Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resources
¡¡ Health and Biosciences
¡¡ Human and Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism
¡¡ Information Technologies
¡¡ Law, Government, and Public Safety
¡¡ Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology
¡¡ Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
CCRD and the POS within each CTE cluster provide real-world learning experiences,
including the opportunity for college courses and internships, while maintaining high
academic standards. Students come to realize that graduation is a stepping stone to their
lives beyond high school. They also acquire the skills, tools, and self-confidence to realize
their dreams and goals. Additionally, each cluster and POS allow business leaders to be
partners in education by getting involved in the development of curriculum that includes
industry skills and standards to meet certification requirements. Each career cluster has a
Program Advisory Committee that collaborates with MCPS, Montgomery College (MC),
and other colleges and universities to align the high school and college curriculums to
promote a smooth transition from high school to postsecondary education.
Each career cluster includes one or more POS. Most of these programs have an articulation
agreement that details the courses that MCPS students must complete with a grade of B or
better to receive college credit at MC and other institutions of higher learning.
Please see the last page for additional information on articulation agreements with MC.
Arts, Humanities, Media,
and Communication Cluster
Do you enjoy working behind
the scenes?
Do you dream of telling a story
using video and technology?
Are you a visual learner and
like working with graphics?
Have you thought about
using the technology behind
the camera?
Are you interested in blending
scripting, creativity, film, music,
and graphics into one project?
Advantages
¡¡ Learn new graphic trends
and utilize multimedia
equipment that is industry
standard to create projects
¡¡ Design and market games
that have the potential to be
used by the general public
¡¡ Receive hands-on experience
with business partner mentors
on culminating projects
¡¡ Increase communication
skills by working in teams
and presenting exciting
projects to a business
partner panel
¡¡ Receive skills with various
software currently used by
professionals
Sample Courses
Electronic Video Field
Production A/B
Multimedia Technologies and
Game Development A/B
Video Production A/B
Website Development
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Executive Producer
¡¡ Game Developer
¡¡ Graphic Designer
¡¡ Multimedia Artist and
Animator
¡¡ Television News Anchor
Business Management
and Finance Cluster
Do you pay attention to every
penny you spend?
Are you interested in global
business and economics?
Have you thought about
being chief executive officer
of your own company?
Are you interested in hiring
and training staff?
Do you like to play games
and are you interested in
designing your own game
for the global market?
Advantages
¡¡ Learn life skills through
financial literacy
Sample Courses
¡¡ Compete regionally,
statewide, and nationally
through Academy of Finance
business competitions
Accounting A/B
¡¡ Design and present a
culminating entrepreneurship
project with local business
partners
National Academy
Foundation Internship
¡¡ Earn priority internship
positions with well-known
industry partners
¡¡ Manage accounting and
other primary currency
transactions in the corporate
banking industry
Advanced Accounting A/B
Personal Finance
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Accountant
¡¡ Financial Manager
¡¡ Game Developer
¡¡ Real Estate Appraiser
¡¡ Software Engineer
College/Career Research
and Development Cluster
Do you enjoy new
opportunities to earn
money for your future?
Do you want real-world
career experience in a field
that interests you?
Do you want to prepare
yourself for college and a
career?
Do you want to develop skills
that will help you to manage
your personal finances?
Advantages
¡¡ Earn money
¡¡ Gain real-world work
experience
¡¡ Learn new job-related skills
¡¡ Prepare for college and
career
Sample Courses
Career Seminar A/B
College Career A/B
Site-Based Work Experience
Double-Period A/B
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Administrative Assistant
¡¡ Business Manager
¡¡ Chief Executive Officer/
Chief Financial Officer
¡¡ Engineer
¡¡ Law Clerk
Construction and
Development Cluster
Do you like to build things?
Do you like working with your
mind as well as your hands?
Are you comfortable working
on a project until all the
pieces fit together?
Do you ever stop and think
about who built your home
or school?
Are you good with
technology?
Advantages
¡¡ National Certification
in Construction from
Associated Builders
and Contractors
¡¡ Earn college credits through
an articulation agreement
with Montgomery College
¡¡ Hands-on experiences
¡¡ Career and Technology
Education program
completer
¡¡ Opportunity for paid
summer internships
¡¡ Students earn Student
Service Learning hours
Sample Courses
Carpentry
Construction Management
at Montgomery College
Foundation of Building and
Construction Technologies
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Architect
¡¡ Civil Engineer
¡¡ Construction or
Building Inspector
¡¡ Construction Manager
¡¡ Drafter/Computer Aided
Design Technician Architect
¡¡ Land Surveyor
Education, Training, and
Child Studies Cluster
Do you enjoy working with
young children?
Are you imaginative and
creative?
Do you want to develop
leadership, communication,
and problem-solving skills?
Would you like to be part of
an education team that is
responsible for the day-to-day
operations of a preschool lab?
Are you ready to explore the
exciting world of education?
Advantages
Sample Courses
Child and Adolescent
Development 1
¡¡ Earn the nationally recognized
90+ 9 Clock Hours Certification
Child and Adolescent
Development 2,
Advanced-Level
¡¡ Earn college credits through
an articulation agreement
with Montgomery College
Child and Adolescent
Development 3,
Advanced-Level
¡¡ Apply for scholarships to
colleges and universities
Education Internship,
Advanced-Level
¡¡ Use research-based teaching
practices in the development
and implementation of lessons
¡¡ Learn to manage the
day-to-day operations
of a preschool lab
¡¡ Collaborate with mentor
teachers and other professionals during internships and
job-shadowing experiences
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Childcare Center Director/
Administrator
¡¡ Elementary School Teacher
¡¡ Kindergarten Teacher
¡¡ Preschool Director/
Administrator
¡¡ Preschool Teacher
Environmental, Agricultural,
and Natural Resources Cluster
Do you have a love of the
outdoors?
Do you have an interest in
protecting the environment?
Are you creative?
Do you want to learn
design skills?
Do you want to learn more
about using technology?
Advantages
¡¡ Earn Maryland Certified
Professional Horticulturist
certification from the
Maryland Nursery Landscape
Association, with program
completion and passing exam
¡¡ Earn college credit at
Montgomery College for
landscape technology degree
or certificate programs
¡¡ Learn up-to-date technology
and practices being used by
professionals
¡¡ Collaborate with
mentor teachers and
other professionals in the
field during internships
Sample Courses
Foundations of Horticulture
Internship/Capstone
Experience
Landscape Design
Plant Production
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Arborist
¡¡ Botanist
¡¡ Landscape Architect
¡¡ Plant Breeder and Geneticist
Health and Biosciences Cluster
Do you enjoy shows like Gray’s
Anatomy or Forensic Files?
Do you enjoy science-based
investigation that includes
biotechnology?
Are you interested in solving
real-world health problems?
Do you like helping people?
Are you ready to explore the
exciting world of health and
biosciences?
Advantages
Sample Courses
¡¡ Opportunity to earn college
credit through MCPS articulation agreement and affiliate
universities
Bioscience Internship
¡¡ Opportunity to earn certification in specific areas such as
cardiopulmonary resuscitation,
pharmacy, certified nursing
assistant, and geriatric aide
¡¡ Learn to provide diagnosis and
treatment of disease in order
to design innovative solutions
¡¡ Learn anatomy, physiology,
medical terminology, and
disease processes, and
perform patient-care
skills, including CPR
¡¡ Explore and apply the concepts of molecular biology,
genetics, and biochemistry
Foundations of Medicine and
Health
Medical Science/Molecular
Biotechnology/Physical
Rehabilitation/Pharmacy
Structures and Functions of
the Human Body
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Biomedical Engineer
¡¡ Forensic Scientist
¡¡ Medical Doctor
¡¡ Pharmacist
¡¡ Physical Therapist
¡¡ Registered Nurse
Human and Consumer Services,
Hospitality, and Tourism Cluster
Do you enjoy working with
people?
Do you want to use creative
and technical skills in a realworld business setting?
Do you want to develop
leadership and professional
business skills?
Do you want to earn industryrecognized certifications and
articulated college credit
while in high school?
Are you interested in pursuing
the field of culinary arts,
hospitality and tourism,
or cosmetology?
Sample Courses
Advantages
Hospitality and Tourism
¡¡ Earn nationally recognized
certifications
International Cultures and
Cuisines
¡¡ Use nationally developed
curriculum
Professional Restaurant
Management
¡¡ Earn college credit through
postsecondary articulation
agreements
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Gain knowledge and skills
from experiences with
in-school restaurants, hair
salons, event planning, and
other clinical experiences
¡¡ Chef
¡¡ Participate in internship and
mentoring experiences with
professionals from various
industries
Cosmetology
¡¡ Caterer
¡¡ Cosmetologist
¡¡ Nutritionist
¡¡ Meeting, Convention, or
Event Planner
¡¡ Restaurant Owner/Manager
¡¡ Salon Owner/Manager
Information Technologies (IT) Cluster
Are you knowledgeable about
21st century technology?
Do you enjoy installing
hardware or software
programs on your computer?
Do you like to explore
the advanced settings on
computer devices?
Do you watch “how to”
videos about computers
on YouTube?
Are you a problem solver and
also like to work with your
hands?
Sample Courses
Advantages
Computer Science Principles
Advanced Placement
¡¡ Earn nationally recognized
industry certifications while
in high school
¡¡ Earn articulated college
credit while in high school
¡¡ Connect with local IT
businesses through school
partnerships
¡¡ Earn Student Service
Learning hours during
class time
¡¡ Experience paid internships
in the IT field
Computer Science Advanced
Placement
Ethics and the Information Age
Foundations of Computer
Science
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Chief Technology Officer
¡¡ Computer Consultant
¡¡ Computer Hardware
Technician
¡¡ Computer Programmer
¡¡ IT Support Specialist
¡¡ Network Engineer
¡¡ Software Engineer
Law, Government, Public Safety,
and Administration Cluster
Are you a logical thinker who
enjoys complex issues and
problems?
Do television courtroom
dramas, police investigation,
and forensics interest you?
Are you passionate about
justice for all people?
Have you wondered
what degree lays a strong
foundation for a variety of
high-level careers?
Advantages
¡¡ Learn how to communicate
clearly and convincingly
¡¡ Experience mock trial
simulations and explore
real-world legal issues
and concerns
¡¡ Meet legal and law
enforcement professionals
in a wide range of jobs
¡¡ Become a more logical
thinker, able to take
apart complex issues and
build sound and reasoned
arguments
Sample Courses
Contemporary Issues in
Justice, Law, and Society
Introduction to Justice, Law,
and Society
Law and Administration
of Justice
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Homeland Security
¡¡ International Diplomacy
¡¡ Law Enforcement
¡¡ Lawyer
¡¡ Paralegal Assistant
Engineering, Scientific Research, and
Manufacturing Technologies Cluster
Do you enjoy open-ended,
hands-on projects?
Are you fascinated with
learning how to design?
Are you interested in earning
college credit while in high
school?
Do you want to transform
your designs into 3D models?
Do you enjoy working on
a team?
Advantages
¡¡ Collaborate with industry
engineers and other
professionals during the
capstone experience
¡¡ Earn college credit
through MCPS articulation
agreements and affiliate
universities by completing
and passing Project Lead the
Way end-of-course exam
¡¡ Use engaging, up-to-date
leading technology and
software
Sample Courses
Civil Engineering and
Architecture, Computer
Integrated Manufacturing,
or Aerospace Engineering
Digital Electronics
Engineering Design and
Development
Introduction to Engineering
Design
Principles of Engineering
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Electromechanical Systems
Engineer
¡¡ Environmental Engineer
¡¡ Materials Engineer
¡¡ Nuclear Engineer
¡¡ Plastics Engineer
Transportation, Distribution,
and Logistics Cluster
Do you like to discover how
things work?
Are you intrigued by different
car designs?
Do you enjoy building and
assembling things?
Is computer technology of
interest to you?
Are you a problem solver?
Do you enjoy working with
your hands while exercising
your mind?
Advantages
¡¡ Earn articulated college
credit while in high school
¡¡ Earn nationally recognized
Automotive Service
Excellence industry
certifications
¡¡ Experience paid internships,
available at local dealerships
and businesses
¡¡ Earn safety and pollution
certifications that are
required for many jobs
¡¡ Earn Student Service
Learning hours while
in class
Sample Courses
Automotive Technology
Dealership Training 1
Automotive Technology
Dealership Training 2
Career Opportunities
¡¡ Auto Collision Repair
Technician
¡¡ Automotive Technician
¡¡ Parts Specialist
¡¡ Repair Facility Owner
¡¡ Service Manager
Articulation Agreements
Completing a Career and Technology Education program
of study at an MCPS high school and articulating credits
to Montgomery College (MC) benefits students in several
ways. It gives them a head start on their college education
while, at the same time, saves tuition and book fees, since
these courses are completed prior to enrollment at MC.
Essentially, these articulated college credits are free. The
process of articulating credits and the forms that are
necessary for successful articulation from MCPS to MC
are located at http:/cms.montgomerycollege.edu/CTE/
For further information about CTE clusters and a complete list
of all CTE Programs of Study, see your school counselor or visit
the website:
www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/cte/
This document is available in an alternate format, upon
request, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
by contacting the Department of Public Information and
Web Services, at 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 112,
Rockville, MD 20850, or by telephone at 301-279-3391
or via the Maryland Relay at 1-800-735-2258.
Individuals who request (need) sign language interpretation
or cued speech transliteration in communicating with
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) may contact the
Office of Interpreting Services in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Program at 301-517-5539 or 301-637-2958VP, or send an
e-mail message to [email protected].
MCPS prohibits illegal discrimination on the basis of race,
color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status,
socioeconomic status, age, disability, physical characteristics,
or sexual orientation. Inquiries or complaints regarding
discrimination or Title IX issues such as gender equity and
sexual harassment should be directed to the Office of the
Chief Academic Officer at 301-279-3126, via the Maryland
Relay at 1-800-735-2258, or addressed to that office at
850 Hungerford Drive, Room 129, Rockville, MD 20850.
Published by the Department of Materials Management
for Career and Postsecondary Partnerships
Copyright © 2014 Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland
0222.15 • Editorial, Graphics & Publishing Services • 9/14 • 5000