Programs

Biotechnology is a fast growing and exciting career field. While in the Honors Biotechnology magnet program, students learn in a laboratory setting performing such tasks as DNA extraction, fingerprinting, and advanced biotechnology techniques. Learners completing the block Biotechnology Honors program can earn an industry recognized Biotechnician Assistant Credential from BACE. Students continuing their education earning a Biotechnology, Biology or Pre-Med degree have many career opportunities from genetic analyst, fish biologist, biomedical engineers, laboratory technologists, plant geneticists, and biochemists.

Please open the Biotech PDF to use interactive links or print the flyer.

Want to figure out what you are good at doing or might like doing for a living? Learn trending technology while exploring careers! Use online simulations to learn social media marketing to grow a business. Build a food truck business to learn the fundamentals of running a business. Have a problem you want to solve in your world? Learn leadership skills while attending fun club activities as a member of Future Business Leaders of America. Want to learn about $$$? Work with a team in the Stock Market Challenge. Do yourself a favor - take CTE classes before you decide your electives for the rest of your high school years. Learn about your strengths and match them up with ways to make a living in today’s economy.

Please open the Business Ops PDF to use interactive links or print the flyer. 

UPDATED BUSINESS OPERATIONS MAP ALIGNED TO CIS105 college course credit

ASU and SUSD CTE Partnering for Dual Enrollment Offering at Chaparral High School in Business Operations Pathway 2024-2025.

CTE pilot plans to partner with ASU to offer CIS105 through the ASU Accelerated Learning Facilitated course model.  ASU supplies the course content and the faculty to grade assignments, CTE provides a teacher to facilitate the course materials, and supplies the learning space and equipment already in use for CTE My Digital Brand in the Business Operations pathway.  CTE would pay the $25 fee per student to access the content and students have the option at the end of the grading period to elect to receive ASU credit for $400 paid directly to ASU by the learner. This would allow for all SUSD high schools to offer this ASU dual enrollment option as a part of the My Digital Brand course due to faculty being supplied by ASU for the dual enrollment credit. CIS105 meets the post-secondary graduation requirement at all Arizona colleges and universities for Computer Literacy credit.

Please email kdemetrulias@susd.org and adowns@susd.org to request an appointment to review materials.

Click to see the slide deck presented at the April 30, 2024 Governing Board meeting.

The Coding and Software Dev program prepares students to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills to support engineers in developing, implementing, and evaluating computer software and program applications.

Throughout the Software and App Design instructional program, students learn how to code in multiple languages, programming systems, databases, user interfaces, networking and warehousing, encryption and security, software testing and evaluation, and customization.  If you want to be a part of the growing IT sector, this pathway is a must-do! And dual enrollment credits are abundant. Get on the path for a great career and a jumpstart in a Certificate for IT. Earn multiple certifications while in high school.

Please open the Coding and Software Dev PDF to use interactive links or to print the flyer.

From crime scene to trial! This pathway dives into the nature and causes of crime, our criminal justice system and studies ethics of the law, police, courts and corrections.

Students will learn the history of our criminal justice system, how to interview witnesses and suspects, gather evidence from a crime scene and present a case in court. If you have an interest in pursuing a career in law, criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, government, public administration, forensics or social work this pathway is for you!

Students in our Criminal Justice program recently learned how to develop fingerprints on evidence using cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming chambers and ninhydrin reaction. 

Get ready for an exciting industry: Culinary Arts!

• Earn an industry-recognized certificate: ServSafe Food Protection Manager

• Dual Enrollment Credit

• Complete full course sequence in one year

• Block Class allows for full labs and simulations

Offered at Chaparral High School as a Signature Program for all SUSD students. Transportation provided.

See the High School Planning Guide for Course Codes and Details

Internship Program available for seniors that complete the program.

The U.S. Arts, Media and Entertainment (AME) sector is the largest AME market in the world!*

Why not investigate a career in media and  communication?  Overall employment in media and communication occupations is projected to have 114,300 openings each year.  The median annual wage for media and communication workers (such as public relations specialists, news analysts, and writers and authors) was $66,320 in May 2023, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $48,060. Media and communication equipment workers (such as broadcast technicians, film and video editors, and photographers) had a median annual wage of $53,850 in May 2023.**

Journalists, filmmakers, editors, and producers all had to get their start somewhere.  Start building your portfolio of work now!

*SelectUSA. (N.d.). Media and entertainment spotlight. Retrieved from https://www.selectusa.gov/media-entertainment-industryunited-states

**U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (N.d.). July 2024 national occupational employment and wage estimates. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/media-and-communication/home.htm

There are many skilled professionals that make theatrical productions happen and it’s not just the actors on the stage.

Our technical theater program offers students training in the following backstage specialties: set construction, lights, sound, props, costumes, makeup, stage management and artistic design. Students apply their skills in school productions and performances throughout the school year.

The financial services sector is fundamental to the U.S. economy. Make money helping others manage theirs!

According to ACTEonline.org, most jobs in financial services call for postsecondary education, although a certificate or associate degree can help people gain entry-level jobs such as insurance sales agent. Individuals can pursue certain occupations by earning industry-recognized certifications such as the Certified Financial Planner™, Accredited Financial Counselor® or Certified Payroll Professional credential. These and other credentials verify technical, academic and employability skills to prepare financial records, value assets, audit businesses and organizations, help people and businesses make financial decisions, and more. 

Some occupations in financial services:

• financial advisors 
• insurance underwriters
• real estate appraisers
• loan officers
• bank tellers
• accountants

Graphic Design is the craft of creating visual content to communicate a message. In this pathway, students begin with the fundamentals of graphic design and build on their experience and technical skills as they advance from layouts and lettering to creating their own logos and advertisements.

Advanced Graphic Design students will showcase their project through several digital platforms and can apply for an internship. Google UX Design Professional certificate option available during the two-year pathway.

What jobs are aligned to art and design skills?  Plenty!

Art Directors
Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions.

Median Pay in 2023  = $106,500

Craft and Fine Artists
Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition.  See How to Become One

Median Pay in 2023  = $52,910

Fashion Designers
Fashion designers create clothing, accessories, and footwear.

Median Pay in 2023  = $79,290

Graphic Designers
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.

Median Pay in 2023  = $58,910

Industrial Designers
Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products.

Median Pay in 2023  = $76,250

U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (N.d.). Occupational outlook handbook: Arts and Design Occupations.
Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/home.htm

One of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world, Hospitality Management offers endless opportunities for students that seek a social career that serves people.

Students that complete the Hospitality Management program will be ready to seek further training in a variety of recreational settings: hotels, restaurants, resorts, cruise lines, gold courses and spas. Hands on experience is key in this industry. Students will begin to network by meeting professionals that are guest speakers and taking field trips to local businesses. Internships available for level II students.

Hospitality Management is a hot career track in Arizona!

Quick Facts: Lodging Managers

• 2023 Median Pay is $65,360 per year or $31.42 per hour

• Typical Entry-Level Education is a high school diploma or equivalent

• Number of Jobs in 2022 was 50,800

• Job growth 2022-2032 projected to be 7% which is faster than average.

What Lodging Managers Do
Lodging managers ensure that guests have a pleasant experience at an accommodations facility. They also plan, direct, or coordinate activities to ensure that the facility is efficient and profitable.

Work Environment
Most lodging managers work full time. Work schedules may vary and often include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Because these facilities are open around the clock, some managers are on call 24 hours a day.

How to Become a Lodging Manager
To enter the occupation, lodging managers typically take one of three paths: a high school diploma combined with several years of experience working in a lodging facility, a bachelor’s degree in hospitality or hotel management, or an associate’s degree or certificate in hotel management.

U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. (N.d.). Occupational outlook handbook: Management Occupations.
Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/lodging-managers.htm

Marketing is one of the highest ranked in-demand job sectors in Arizona. In this pathway students focus on the theories of marketing while engaging in real-world scenarios.

The Marketing program includes instruction in market research, economics, marketing budgets, creative development, and design. Students learn marketing foundations and functions with an emphasis on public relations, advertising, branding, promotion, product and service management, pricing, and distribution.

Quick Facts: Advertising and Marketing Managers

2023 Median Pay was $156,580 per year which is $75.28 per hour

Typical Entry-Level Education is a Bachelor's degree

See How to Become One

What Advertising, Promotions, and Marketing Managers Do

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers plan programs to generate interest in products or services.

Work Environment

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers typically work in an office setting. They may travel to meet with clients or media representatives. Most of these managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

How to Become an Advertising, Promotions, or Marketing Manager

Advertising, promotions, and marketing managers typically need a bachelor’s degree. They also typically need work experience in a related occupation.

Pay

The median annual wage for advertising and promotions managers was $131,870 in May 2023.

The median annual wage for marketing managers was $157,620 in May 2023.

In CMAS, a music and audio production career pathway, students gain significant, real-world, industry training while refining their own creative process.

Students have the opportunity to perform at live events and for the CMAS record label. This pathway encourages music creation while learning the fundamentals of the recording studio industry standard software and standard practices. Students can earn Fine Arts, Career and Technical Education, and even college credit, for their work. This pathway prepares students for the Society of Broadcast Engineers Licensed Radio Operator certification.

Checkout the SUSD CMAS Arcadia Student-Published YouTube Channel

Students can earn their Radio Operators License from the Society of Broadcast Engineers

Career and technical education (CTE) supports America’s information technology needs

CTE is preparing learners to enter this critical workforce, which contributes roughly 8.8% to the U.S. economy and employs more than 9 million people – 5.6 million in technical occupations.*

SUSD offers opportunities to earn dual enrollment credit and industry credentials from Adobe, CompTIA, Google, among others.

Students interested in the medical field should consider the Health Care Assistant course.

Students will learn basic anatomy and physiology of the human body and prepare for work as a certified nursing assistant(CNA). Nursing assistant programs are often pre-requisites for Registered Nursing programs. CNA's gain patient care experience in industry while pursuing an education. Successful students qualify for Certified Nursing Assistant status upon passing the State Board of Nursing Licensing Exam. After completing our Healthcare Assistant CNA program, students are admitted to EVIT's EMT program with EMT year 1 waived. SUSD CNA Students enter at EMT level 2 for EMT certification senior year.

Click on the Nursing PDF file for interactive links to more information or read more below.

Job Opening for 2024-2025 Faculty Instructor found here.

Students with an interest in the healthcare field can begin their training within the Sports Medicine program.

Students focus their learning on anatomy, kinesiology and physiology of the human body. By having an understanding of these key systems, students are able to apply their knowledge and skills to common athletic injuries. Students completing the Sports Medicine pathway have a solid foundation in common healthcare terminology, practices and systems and qualify for Athletic Training Associate internship. This pathway is excellent for any learner that wishes to pursue a career in the medical field.