Berrien County CTE Programs

Career & Technical Education (CTE) offers a more relevant, engaging high school experience by combining the rigorous core academics that students need for college with the career and technical education that makes them employable, and to do it in an applied, hands-on way that includes real-life experience.

Not only does career-relevant education keep students engaged in school but studies have shown that students in such programs have higher graduation rates than students who did not take CTE courses.

CTE Programs

Why Choose Career & Technical Education (CTE) Programs?

Career Pathway Exploration

Pathfinder

Are you uncertain about your future plans? Do you need post-graduation planning resources to assist you in deciding whether you want to enter the workforce immediately, serve your country, or pursue further education at a trade school, community college, or four-year university?

Check out Pathfinder, a FREE online career exploration tool that is full of resources to help students and families navigate the post-high school conundrum and help walk through different career and education pathways.

Michigan's HOT 50 JOB OUTLOOK

Check out Michigan's HOT 50 JOB OUTLOOK to see what Michigan high-demand, high-wage careers are trending.

More Opportunities for Students

Dual Enrollment

What is Dual Enrollment?

Dual enrollment programs allow students to take college classes while they are still enrolled in High School. These classes count for both high school and college credit.

How Do Dual Enrollment Programs Work?

Dual enrollment programs are different at each school. However, the process usually starts with students working with their counselor to identify what subjects they are interested in.

Dual Enrollment and Early Middle College ~ What's the Difference?

Here is a handy guide developed by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE)

Dual Enrollment and Early Middle College Tip Sheet

Early/Middle College

What is Early/Middle College?

An Early/Middle College (EMC) is a Michigan Department of Education (MDE) approved five-year program of study. EMCs work closely with postsecondary partners to provide students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following:

60 transferable college credits
An associate degree
A professional certification
Participation in a registered apprenticeship

Dual Enrollment and Early/Middle College ~ What's the Difference?

Here is a handy guide developed by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE)

Dual Enrollment and Early/Middle College Tip Sheet

How Do I Learn More About Berrien's Early/Middle College Opportunities?

Check out our Early/Middle College page for more information. You may also reach out to Berrien RESA's Early/Middle College Consultant Melissa Springsteen

Berrien Early/Middle College

Industry Certifications

Work Based Learning

Work-Based Learning

What is Work-Based Learning?

Work-Based Learning is sustained and progressively intensive interactions with employers or community professionals in real workplace settings, to the extent practicable, or simulated environments at an educational institution that foster in-depth, first-hand engagement with the tasks required of a given career field, that are aligned to curriculum, instruction, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program standards.

During the 2020-21 school year, 97,176 Michigan high school students participated in a CTE work-based learning experience*

How Do I Learn More About Berrien's Work-Based Learning Opportunities?

Reach out to your school's Counselor or Work-Based Learning Coordinator.

You may also contact Berrien RESA's Work-Based Learning Consultant Cindy Philip

*source: MIACTE Michigan CTE Fact Sheet April 2023

FAQs

We offer a variety of programs to students in Berrien County that can be grouped into the 6 Michigan Career Pathways. Programs are designed for any student who wants to graduate with industry certifications, on-the-job experiences, business & industry connections, and college credits. Offerings vary by local district and students have the opportunity to take courses not offered at their home school.

All Career & Technical Education programs, services, activities, and employment follow the local district’s policies of nondiscrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, height, weight, marital status, sexual orientation (subject to the limits of applicable law), age, genetic information, or disability in its programs, services, activities or employment opportunities. In addition, arrangements can be made to accommodate the ESL (English as a Second Language) population.

Our Programs

Agriscience and Natural Resources

Arts & Communications

Careers in this path are related to the humanities and performing, visual, literary, and media arts.

U.S. Department of Education Career Clusters include:

Arts,
A/V Technology
Communications

These include architecture; graphic, interior, and fashion design; writing; film; fine arts; journalism; languages; media; advertising; and public relations.

See what Berrien CTE has to offer in this Pathway!

Business Management, Marketing & Technology

Careers in this path are related to all aspects of business, hospitality & tourism, information technology, and marketing, Sales and service.

U.S. Department of Education Career Clusters include:

Business, Management & Administration
Finance
Hospitality & Tourism
Information Technology
Marketing, Sales & Service

These include entrepreneurs, sales, marketing, computer/information systems, finance, accounting, personnel, economics, and management

See what Berrien CTE has to offer in this Pathway!

Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Technology

Careers in this path are related to technologies necessary to design, develop, install, and maintain physical systems.

U.S. Department of Education Career Clusters include:

Architecture & Construction
Manufacturing
Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

These include engineering, manufacturing, construction, service, and related technologies.

See what Berrien CTE has to offer in this Pathway!

Health Sciences

Human Services

Careers in this path are related to childhood development, civil service, education, hospitality, and social services.

U.S. Department of Education Career Clusters include:

Education & Training
Human Services
Law, Public Safety & Security
Government & Public Services

These include education, government, law and law enforcement, leisure and recreation, military, religion, childcare, social services, and personal services.

See what Berrien CTE has to offer in this Pathway!