Occupational Course of Study

Occupational Course of Study (OCS) Overview

The Occupational Course of Study is a graduation option for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This program is designed to develop the academic and career-readiness skills needed for future employment and independent living. The courses listed below are specifically tailored to the unique needs of OCS students.

OCS - English 1

Course Code: 9210BX0X This course introduces students to reading and writing for a variety of purposes. They will practice skills in analyzing different types of texts and will learn to create informative, argumentative, and narrative writing. Students will also develop speaking and listening skills through group projects and discussions. This course may be offered through the NC Virtual Public Schools platform.

OCS - Employment Prep 1 - Science

Course Code: 9260BX0X In this course, students begin exploring career paths through job shadowing activities and hands-on work experiences in a simulated environment, such as a Practical Assessment Exploration System (PAES) lab. The goal is to help students understand different job roles and develop foundational workplace skills.

OCS - Intro to Mathematics 1

Course Code: 9220BX0X This course provides students with a practical foundation in mathematics. The curriculum focuses on understanding and applying rational numbers, geometric concepts, and data interpretation to solve real-world problems.

OCS - Financial Management

Course Code: 9222BX0X This course teaches essential skills for personal finance and independent living. Students will learn about topics such as managing checking and savings accounts, understanding taxes and wages, using credit responsibly, and making smart consumer spending decisions.

OCS - Applied Science

Course Code: 9231BX0X This course covers foundational science topics with a practical approach. Students will study basic principles of energy, electricity, and chemistry, and explore the major systems of the human body and how humans interact with their environment. This class may be offered through the NC Virtual Public Schools platform.

OCS - Civic Literacy

Course Code: 9251BX0X This course prepares students to be engaged and informed citizens. Students will apply their knowledge from previous social studies courses to understand the founding principles of the United States and North Carolina, as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

OCS - Economics and Personal Finance

Course Code: 43192X0OCS This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for successful financial management. Topics include making a budget, understanding income and expenses, and the economic principles that affect personal finances.

OCS - English 2

Course Code: 9211BX0X Building on English 1, this course focuses on continuing to develop a student’s communication skills. Students will read and analyze various texts and practice writing informative, narrative, and argumentative pieces.

OCS - Employment Prep II: Citizenship 1A/1B

Course Code: 9261BX0X / 9262BX0X These courses are part of the OCS curriculum focusing on employment readiness and citizenship skills. Students will develop the attitudes and soft skills necessary for success in the workplace and in their community.

OCS - English 3

Course Code: 9212BX0X This course helps students apply their communication and critical thinking skills to real-world situations, such as employment and independent living. Students will practice tasks like filling out forms and templates, interpreting instructions, and solving problems in daily life.

OCS - Biology

Course Code: 9232BX0X This course introduces the fundamental concepts of biology. Students will study the chemical and physical basis of life, explore topics such as ecosystems and evolution, and learn about genetics and molecular biology. This course may be offered through the NC Virtual Public Schools platform.

OCS - Employment Prep III: Citizenship 2A/2B

Course Code: 9263BX0X / 9264BX0X These courses continue to build on the employment and citizenship skills from the previous year. Students will focus on more advanced strategies for workplace success, including communication, problem-solving, and civic engagement.

OCS - English 4

Course Code: 9213BX0X This capstone course focuses on applying communication and critical thinking skills to adult-living tasks. Students will learn to create written products without templates, use technology for communication, and problem-solve in various real-life scenarios.

OCS - Employment Prep IV: Math

Course Code: 9265BX0X In this final OCS course, students focus on completing the required job hours for graduation through competitive paid employment. Students will continue to receive support in refining their career training skills in a real-world work environment.