Content Standards for CTE Programs of Study
Career Clusters
Career Clusters are broad groupings of occupations and industries that share common skills, knowledge, and interests. They serve as an organizing framework for Career and Technical Education (CTE), helping students connect what they learn in school to real-world career pathways. The new National Career Clusters® Framework includes clusters like Healthcare & Human Services, Digital Technology, and Arts, Entertainment & Design, among others. Each cluster is divided into related career pathways that outline specific occupations and educational opportunities. By exploring Career Clusters, students can make informed decisions about their education and training, align their academic and technical skills with future goals, and prepare for success in both college and high-demand careers.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) Programs of Study Guides and Content Standards
The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) collaborated with the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Committee of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWDB) to ensure that CTE programs meet the evolving needs of businesses and industries. To achieve this, the content standards for CTE programs of study (POS) have undergone significant revisions and reviews by industry partners throughout the state of Maryland. All the updated CTE POS guides are listed below by cluster for public viewing.
CTE Content Standards
Advanced Manufacturing
Agriculture
Arts, Entertainment, and Design
- 3D Animation Game Design - PDF - 399.63 KB
- Graphic Communications - PDF - 574.23 KB
- Video Audio Production - PDF - 614.54 KB
Construction
- Architecture Design Drafting - PDF - 543.93 KB
- Carpentry - PDF - 555.95 KB
- Electrical - PDF - 416.75 KB
- Facilities Management - PDF - 453.65 KB
- HVACR - PDF - 403.31 KB
- Masonry - PDF - 394.79 KB
- Plumbing - PDF - 404.69 KB
- Welding - PDF - 406.49 KB
Digital Technology
- Computer Programming - PDF - 512.55 KB
- Cybersecurity - PDF - 490.46 KB
- Machine Learning Data Science - PDF - 393.51 KB
- Networking - PDF - 580.03 KB
Education
Energy and Natural Resources
Financial Services
Healthcare and Human Services
- Barbering - PDF - 421.85 KB
- Biomedical Science - PDF - 419.21 KB
- Biotechnology - PDF - 402.12 KB
- Certified Clinical Medical Assistant - PDF - 376.48 KB
- Certified Nursing Assistant - PDF - 444.72 KB
- Cosmetology - PDF - 393.78 KB
- Dental Assistant - PDF - 386.85 KB
- Nail Technician - PDF - 349.68 KB
- Pharmacy Technician - PDF - 604.81 KB
- Physical Rehabilitation - PDF - 368.52 KB
Hospitality, Events, and Tourism
- Baking and Pastry Arts - PDF - 386.74 KB
- Culinary Arts - PDF - 400.01 KB
- Hotel Resort Management - PDF - 402.54 KB
Management and Entrepreneurship
Marketing and Sales
Public Service and Safety
- Criminal Justice Law Enforcement - PDF - 545.68 KB
- Emergency Medical Technician - PDF - 546.48 KB
- Emergency Response - PDF - 409.79 KB
- Firefighter - PDF - 511.97 KB
- JROTC Armed Forces - PDF - 348.79 KB