Next Step Opportunities

Next Step Course Options for Fall 2026

High school is a great time for students to explore career interests, earn college credit, build workplace skills and prepare for life after graduation. Epic Charter Schools offers juniors and seniors several postsecondary opportunities, or Next Step, course options that help students turn those goals into practical experience.

Opportunities include concurrent enrollment, Advanced Placement courses, internships, work-based learning, CareerTech programs and career-focused virtual courses. Availability, eligibility requirements and enrollment processes vary by program, so students and families should review each option carefully and contact the listed program representative with questions.

The options below are organized by fall 2026 enrollment or application deadline. Some deadlines may have passed, but information about future enrollment periods is included where available.

TEL Concurrent Enrollment  

• Fall Enrollment Deadline: Aug. 24 

  • Classes begin Aug. 17. Students who enroll after the initial start date will begin when the enrollment is processed. All Fall TEL courses end on Dec. 11.

• Enrollment Options: fall and spring.

• College courses while in high school.

• 100% online.  

• Click here to learn about the options available for students in grades nine through 12.

• Click here to learn more and view TEL courses.

Contact: Angie Lee

Area College Concurrent Enrollment 

• Fall 2026 Enrollment: Application deadlines have passed

• Enrollment: Spring 2027 

• College courses while in high school

• Click here to learn about the options available for students in grades 9-12

• A wide variety of classes are offered at area colleges throughout the state

• Click here to learn more

Contact: Shannon Starr

Virtual Internship Program Courses

Fall Enrollment Deadline: Sept. 4

• • Enrollment Options: fall and spring. 

  • Enroll through ILP or schedule change ticket.

  • Students must identify their track when enrolling.

  • Click here to learn more.

Certification Track

• • Enrollment Deadlines.

    1. Fall - Sept. 4

    2. Spring - Jan. 29, 2027

  • 100% online.

  • Earn one of 18 industry-backed certifications 

  • Learn industry-specific skills.

  • Focus on skills sought after by all employers.

  • Develop a project for your portfolio.

Career Exploration Track

• • Enrollment Deadlines

    1. Fall - Sept. 4

    2. Spring - Jan. 29

  • 100% online.

  • Explore a specific career.

  • Learn career skills.

  • Focus on skills sought after by all employers.

  • Develop a project for your portfolio.

Fast Track 

• • Enrollment Deadlines

    1. Fall - September 18, 2026

    2. Spring - February 26, 2027

  • 100% online

  • Learn key career preparedness skills

  • Focus on skills sought after by all employers

  • Develop a project for your portfolio

Contact: Victoria McDermott or Ali Sexton

Epic Department Internships

• Fall Application Deadline: Sept. 11

• Spring Application Deadline: Jan. 29, 2027

• Remote and in-person opportunities.

• Work directly with Epic personnel.

• Wide variety of options.

• Click here to learn more.

Contact: Anita Manuel

Work Based Learning and Internships

• No Enrollment Deadline

• Required: Student must complete 60 hours by the semester’s end.

• Students must already be employed or active in an internship opportunity.

• Earn elective credit while you earn a paycheck.

• Individualized Internship Approval is available.

• Click here to learn more.

Contact: Leslie Schmitt or Anita Manuel

Alternative Internship (OAAP)

• No Enrollment Deadline

• Required: Student must complete 60 hours by the semester’s end.

• Open to OAAP students.

• Customizable based on students’ goals and transition plan.

• Click here to learn more.

Contact: Anita Manuel

CareerTech

• Fall 2026 Enrollment: Application deadlines have passed

• Enrollment: Students must apply by their tech center’s application deadline, typically the academic year before they wish to attend.

• Most programs begin in the fall and last one to two school years.

• Most full-time programs are open to juniors and seniors.

• Students earn high school credit while earning industry-backed certifications.

• More than 90 programs are available across Oklahoma technology centers.

• Click here to learn more.

Contact: Hadley Miller or Brandi Trompler