Occupational Studies Courses

The Occupational Studies curriculum focuses on academic, functional, and employment skills with an emphasis placed on the competencies and skills needed to prepare students for productive and independent living.  Following completion of these courses and upon exiting high school, students will receive a district attendance certificate. These courses do not lead to a high school diploma.

Occupational Studies 1, 2, 3, 4

English      49101100, 49101200, 49101300, 49101400

Math         49101101, 49101201, 49101301, 49101401

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Occupational Studies courses will focus on skills necessary for daily living and the world of work.  Students will acquire functional academic skills that parallel to the state standards in English and mathematics with a focus on real-world application.  There is a strong focus on developing literacy skills which are needed to gain meaning from a variety of texts and other mediums through analysis and application.  Students will study real-world vocabulary necessary for independent living and employment.  Students will write for a variety of tasks, purposes, and audiences and communicate effectively with others in both daily living and employment settings.  This course focuses on the development of the student’s ability to understand and apply mathematics real-world situations using a variety of mathematical tools and develop real-world problem-solving skills.  There is a focus on developing skills related to personal finance and independent living. 

Occupational Studies Science 1, 2             49102102, 49102202

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Occupational Studies Science is aligned to the SC College- and Career Ready Biology and Physical Science Standards.  This course will include instruction in the practices of science and engineering, allowing students to engage in problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, and applied learning.  Students enrolled in this course will participate in laboratory exercises with hands-on investigation.

Occupational Studies Social Studies 1, 2           49103103, 49103203

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Occupational Studies Social Studies is aligned to the SC College- and Career Ready US History and Constitution, US Government and Economics.  This course focuses on local, state, and federal government and the economics as it relates to consumers and producers.  Students will apply the information learned in this course to real-world situations.  Students will develop an understanding of the US Constitution and their rights and responsibilities.

Occupational Studies – Employment Education 1, 2, 3, 4          49104108, 49104208, 49104308, 49104408

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12

Occupational Studies Employment Education is designed for students to explore and research career interests, develop self-determination skills, and develop soft and hard skills necessary to obtain and maintain successful employment in the community.  Students in these courses may participate in job shadowing and structured field studies to gain a greater understanding of skills necessary for specific careers.

Occupational Training 1 - PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System)                        49105108

Grades: 9, 10

Students enrolled in this course participate in a simulated work environment in the PAES Lab.  Students explore five career vocational areas: Computer Technology, Construction/Industrial, Processing/Production, Consumer/Service, and Business/Marketing.  This course will help students identify careers of interest and work behaviors they need to develop.

Occupational Training 2             49105208

Grades: 10, 11

Students enrolled in this course participate in school-based internships and school-based enterprises.  Students will continue to explore careers through a variety of internships in the school aligned with SC career clusters.  Students will develop skills and work behaviors necessary for successful employment through internships and participation in school-based enterprise.  Upon completion of the course students should be able to identify a chosen career cluster and career goal. 

Occupational Training 3                49105308

Grades: 11, 12

Students enrolled in this course will participate in a school-based internship or a school-based enterprise focusing on the development of skills and work behaviors specific to their post-secondary career goal.

Occupational Training 4                  49105408

Grades: 11, 12

Students enrolled in this course will generalize skills and work behaviors learned in the classroom to work-sites in the community.  Students may participate in vocational training at South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation or work-based learning experiences in the school/community.  Upon completion of this course students will have the skills to enter the workplace. 

Post-Secondary Preparation

Transition                  49106108

Prerequisite:  Completion of 4 years of high school in the life skills or occupational studies program

This course is designed for students ages 18-21 with an IEP who continue to receive special education services to develop vocational skills, daily living skills, and functional academics.  Students spend a portion of the school day learning functional academic and vocational skills in the classroom which are then generalized through Community-Based Instruction and vocational training in the community.  Students will gain daily living skills related to cooking, cleaning, and self-care.