• What are College and Career Pathway Endorsements?

    The Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act (PWR Act) provides a fantastic opportunity for our students to earn College and Career Pathway Endorsements in seven engaging areas:

    • Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources (ANFE)

    • Arts and Communications (A&C)

    • Finance and Business Services (FBS)

    • Human and Public Services (HPS)

    • Health Sciences and Technology (HST)

    • Information Technology (IT)

    • Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades (METT)

    Graduates who meet the requirements will receive a special seal that recognizes their commitment to their chosen pathway and program of study.

    Key Components

    To earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement, students will need to complete the following:

    • Individualized Learning Plan: Create a personalized plan called "My Plan."

    • Career-Focused Coursework: Complete two years of pathway-specific classes or equivalent experiences.

    • Professional Learning Opportunities: Participate in career exploration activities like Ask the Expert Day, Industry Tours, and Future Focus Weeks.

    • Team-Based Challenges: Take part in two team-based challenges to build collaboration skills.

    • Early College Credit: Earn six hours of early college credit.

    • Work-Based Learning: Complete at least 60 hours of work-based learning experiences.

    • Readiness in Reading and Math: Demonstrate readiness in reading and math for postsecondary education pathways courses.

    What Pathways Endorsements are Offered?

    We proudly offer eight approved pathways across four career clusters:

    • Education

    • Early Childhood Education

    • Culinary

    • Engineering

    • Nursing Assisting

    • Computer Science

    • Computer Programming

    • Computer Systems Networking

    • Criminal Justice

    Why Earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement?

    Earning a College and Career Pathway Endorsement provides our students with incredible opportunities! These endorsements are designed to motivate students to complete their pathways and seamlessly transition into postsecondary programs. Across Illinois, community colleges are teaming up with high schools to create unique opportunities for students.

    Here are a few highlights:

    • Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois: Applicants who have earned or are on track to earn the CCPE will be automatically advanced in their applications.

    • Minority Teachers of Illinois Scholarship: This scholarship offers funding to CCPE graduates, available as early as their freshman year, for up to $7,500 per year.