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Career Pathways / Programs of Study

Next Level Programs of Study

Indiana fully launched new secondary career and technical education courses in the 2022-2023 school year. This initiative, called Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS), aims to improve the consistency, quality, and intentionality of CTE instruction across Indiana. See a quick overview of NLPS in the CTE Career Guide here. Several resources are available on this page to assist with NLPS implementation.

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NLPS Review Document: Full Document (Updated December 2023)

The NLPS Review Document provides a complete overview of each Next Level Program of Study, including each 4-course sequence, course standards and competencies, the postsecondary courses at Ivy Tech and Vincennes each NLPS course has been aligned to, and dual credit course eligibility. The document was most recently updated on 12/5/23 and individuals are encouraged to ensure they are utilizing the latest version. The document also includes teacher assignment codes, course funding levels, and some aligned certifications.

2024-2025 CTE Course Titles and Descriptions: Full Document (released 12/1/23)

Course titles and descriptions for all CTE courses that can be offered in the 2024-2025 school year are available in the Department of Education's comprehensive CTD linked above. The CTE section has been developed by the CTE team at the Commission for Higher Education and begins on Page 201. A summary of changes to the CTE section from the prior year can be found on Page 202.

  • For reference, the CTE section of the 2023-2024 Course Titles and Descriptions can still be found here.

NLPS Teacher Assignment Codes: 2024-2025 Assignment Codes (Updated February 2024)

This document provides teacher assignment codes for all NLPS courses available in the 2024-2025 school year. The last version of the Assignment Codes document was shared in October 2023.  Assignment code information reflected in this document is also contained in the NLPS Review Document, with a few recent updates still being made.

NLPS Planning Guide: Full Document

The Planning Guide is designed to help schools and career centers take full advantage of the benefits available with the newly redesigned CTE structure. Included in the planning guide are the following sections:

  • Page 1 - Comparison chart of current CTE system vs. NLPS on several key factors
  • Page 2 – Overview of the course structure utilized for NLPS and its benefits
  • Page 3-5 – Rubric to assist schools/career centers with determining what pathways to offer
  • Page 6 – Scheduling options for NLPS
  • Pages 7/8 – Additional scheduling options and considerations

Program of Study Adoption and Course Inventory Form: Instructions

The linked instruction document provides information on how to complete this process. Questions can be shared with your Area CTE Director or with our office at CTE@gov.IN.gov.

Master Pathways List: Full Document (Updated January 2024)

The Master Pathways List includes all NLPS pathways available during for the 24-25 school year. Individuals can quickly identify the available programs of study and the course options available within each pathway. It is updated in alignment with the 24-25 Course Titles and Descriptions and the latest version of the NLPS Review Document.

NLPS Frequently Asked Questions: Full Document (Updated May 2023)

The NLPS FAQ provides information regarding many of the common questions the Office of CTE has received regarding the transition to Next Level Programs of Study, as well as many of the most common general questions related to CTE our team receives. The document was most recently updated on 5/10/23 and will continue to be built out as new questions arise. Questions regarding current content or suggestions for future additions can be directed to CTE@che.IN.gov.

2022-2023 Indiana CTE Career Guide: Online Version

The CTE Career Guide has now been updated for the 2022-2023 school year. The Career Guide is a valuable resource for information about Next Level Programs of Study. It also includes a variety of other information relevant to CTE, including Work-Based Learning, Graduation Pathways, and Career Clusters. The Career Guide is designed to be used by students, parents, and school counselors, but can be helpful to anyone who is involved in CTE. Schools, career centers, and other stakeholders interested in securing print copies can do so here.

Questions: Any questions or requests related to Next Level Programs of Study can be sent to CTE@che.in.gov.

Are your course offerings aligned to Labor Demand?

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State CTE Funding

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