Career and Technical Education programs are made up of elective courses that teach students about different careers. New York City has over 130 CTE schools and over 260 CTE programs to choose from. Some CTE schools also host additional career-connected learning programs, like Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship.
To find schools and programs in your area please visit NYC MySchools. The programs are organized into 16 different career clusters. Career clusters connect to more than 79+ specific career pathways or jobs. The 16 career clusters are:
- Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
- Architecture & Construction
- Arts, A/V Technology & Communications
- Business Management & Administration
- Education & Training
- Finance
- Government & Public Administration
- Health Science
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Human Services
- Information Technology
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security
- Manufacturing
- Marketing
- Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics
- Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
Hear from former CTE students directly: CTE video.
Information for CTE Students
Students who complete Career and Technical Education programs are better prepared to make informed college and career decisions thanks to the real-world experiences they have in high school.
Career and Technical Education programs offer you:
- Classes that teach you skills you will need to be successful in work and life after high school.
- A class in Career and Financial Management that will help you to explore careers, learn about the workplace, and prepare you to manage your own money.
- Teachers who have worked in their career areas and who hold industry certifications and professional licenses.
- Opportunities for you to earn industry-recognized certifications that can help you to prepare for internships and jobs while you are still in school.
- Work-based learning experiences, including career mentoring, workplace tours, job shadowing, internships, and apprenticeships that help students build professional skills.
- You will learn skills such as planning for success, collaboration, problem solving, social awareness and professional attitude.
- School partnerships that help you meet adults who are working in the careers in which you are interested in exploring.
- Articulation agreements that offer you college credits, advanced standing, or reduced tuition in a related college/university program upon graduation.
- A Career and Technical Education Endorsement on your high school diploma.
Students who graduate from career and technical education programs may choose to:
- continue at a college or university
- go directly into the workforce
- select technical training programs, apprenticeships, or schools that specialize in their chosen field of interest, or
- some combination of all of the above
Diploma Endorsement
A high school diploma with Career and Technical Education endorsement is granted to students enrolled in NY State-approved programs of study who complete the following requirements:
- 44 credits including the CTE career electives
- Pass 5 Regents
- Pass a 3-part technical assessment (this may be an industry recognized credential)
- Work based learning experiences in career awareness, exploration, and career development
- Employability profile
How to Enroll in CTE Schools
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs and activities. NYC Public Schools is committed to complying with Title IX and ensuring that public schools and workplaces are free of sex discrimination.
Questions regarding Title IX compliance should be referred to:
Sobia Mahmood, Esq.,
Title IX Coordinator
65 Court Street, Room 1102
Brooklyn, NY 11201
718-935-4987
Title_IX_Inquiries@schools.nyc.gov
Postsecondary Partners
CTE programs strive to prepare students for successful futures whether they pursue college, training programs or careers directly after graduation. For those students choosing a college pathway, apprenticeships or certification programs, there are unique advantages and supports.
Robust CTE programming partnerships with colleges, codified by an articulation agreement, provide a range of student benefits such as advanced standing, early college credit, and preferential placement. Our collaboration with City University of New York, State University of New York and other postsecondary institutions helps CTE students accumulate college credit while still in high school, to support their successful transitions into college. Among students who came to CUNY as freshmen in 2010, more than 50 percent of those who completed a bachelor's degree within four years had earned college credit prior to entering CUNY. Additionally, specific pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship and certification training programs are provided to CTE programs to support students’ next steps.
The below chart highlights program-wide postsecondary articulation agreements designed to support CTE students:
CTE Program Area | Postsecondary Institution | Potential Benefits* |
| Automotive and Transportation | Bronx Community College (BCC) | 1 Credit |
| Business and Finance | Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) St. Joseph’s College (SJC) | BMCC: 3 Credits SJC: Up to 6 Credits
|
| Construction and Sustainability | Pima College | Up to 6 Credits |
| Culinary, Hospitality and Tourism | New York City College of Technology (City Tech) Laguardia Community College St. Joseph’s College (SJC) | City Tech: Up to 2 Credits Laguardia: Up to 2 Credits SJC: Up to 6 Credits |
| Engineering and Architecture | New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) New York City College of Technology (City Tech) | NYIT: Advanced Standing City Tech: Advanced Standing |
| Healthcare | Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) St. Joseph’s College (SJC) | BMCC: Up to 9 Credits SJC: Up to 6 Credits
|
| Information Technology | Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Touro University (Cisco Programs) | BMCC: 6 Credits NYIT: 6 Credits Touro: 3 Credits |
| Law Studies | Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) | 3 Credits |
| Media and Design | Hostos Community College Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Bronx Community College (BCC) New York City College of Technology (City Tech) | Hostos: Up to 9 Credits BMCC: Up to 6 Credits BCC: Up to 6 Credits City Tech: Up to 9 Credits
|
*All agreements are contingent upon requirements set forth by the postsecondary institution.
If you are a college or training program interested in developing a partnership or articulation agreement for CTE students, or you are a CTE school that would like more information, please contact pathwaysinnovationteam@schools.nyc.gov and please see a summary of agreements here.
Become a CTE Teacher
It’s an exciting time to teach Career and Technical Education (CTE). We’re enhancing our CTE programs at about 130 high schools across the city, at both comprehensive high schools and campuses dedicated specifically to CTE.
Use your deep industry knowledge to inspire students and cultivate the skills they need for a rewarding career in your field. Our rigorous CTE programs blend focused academics with intensive study of in-demand industries, ranging from aerospace manufacturing to healthcare to culinary arts to graphic imaging.
High-need Subjects
We are especially interested in applicants with experience in high-demand fields such as:
- Computer technology
- Technology education
- Business and marketing
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Media communication
- Commercial art
- Engineering and architecture
- Nurse's assisting
- Practical nursing
- Medical assisting
Most of our Career and Technical Educators bring multiple years of professional experience to the classroom. You must have at least two years of industry experience to earn certification.
Search the New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) certification requirements database to find out what’s required for your area of expertise, and then explore common questions and learn about the next steps learn more about the steps to becoming a certified CTE teacher.
For questions about CTE programs of study, please visit: teachNYC.net.
Resources for candidates who want to understand the process of becoming a CTE teacher:
Resources for schools looking for CTE candidates:
Get Involved in Career and Technical Education (For Businesses)
Student Engagement
An essential part of the career-connected learning experience is for the students to gain exposure to work experiences. You can support students’ preparation in the following ways:
- Internships: Provide work experience and guided supervision through internships founded by the NYC Public Schools.
- Workplace Tours: Offer students the chance to learn about your business and explore your worksite.
- Career Days: Share your career and college pathway experiences with students at a school or your website.
- Mock Interviews: Help students master their networking and interviewing skills through events at a school or your worksite.
Teacher Engagement
At the core of every high quality CTE program is a committee teacher who strives to ensure their programs meet industry needs. Consider the following opportunities that allow teachers to stay current with industry trends and talent pipeline needs.
- Professional Development workshops: lead workshops for teachers to learn about industry trends or garner a new skill.
- Externships: Host a CTE teacher through a NYC Public Schools funded, short-term learning opportunity at your business to help them upskill their industry experience.
Industry Engagement
The New York City Public Schools’ Office of Student Pathways partners closely with industry, higher education, nonprofit, and other major workforce development stakeholders in the city to help our schools prepare students to become future leaders, talent, and citizens. The Student Pathways Advisory Council (“Council”) is an opportunity for high-level representatives from diverse backgrounds from business and industry, labor, postsecondary education, and the nonprofit sectors to provide guidance and support to NYCPS.
The Council is charged under New York State education law with the task of advising the New York City Public Schools on the development, administration, and evaluation of policies and programs relating to career and technical education, and more broadly, career-connected learning. The Council is dedicated to creating and furthering meaningful links between the public schools, industry, and postsecondary institutions, fostering partnerships and collaborations to bridge the worlds of school and career across all NYC public schools.