A College and Career Pathway Endorsement is awarded on Illinois high school diplomas/transcripts to simultaneously demonstrate students’ readiness for postsecondary programs and entry-level professional learning experiences in a selected career interest area. The endorsement incentivizes career exploration and acceleration, particularly in high-demand career fields.
To earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement requires secondary students to complete or demonstrate:
- An individualized learning plan: Each student completing an endorsement must have an individualized plan, which includes college planning linked to early understanding of career goals, financial aid, resume, and personal statement.
- Professional learning: Students participate in career awareness, exploration, and preparation activities that provide opportunities to interact with adults in their workplace.
- At least two career exploration activities or one intensive experience.
- At least two team-based challenges with adult mentoring.
- 60 cumulative hours of a paid or for-credit, supervised career
development experience culminating with a professional skills assessment.
- Career-focused instruction: Students complete two years of secondary coursework, or equivalent competencies, that articulate to a postsecondary credential with labor market value. Must include at least six hours of early college credit.
- Academic readiness: Students are ready for non-remedial coursework in reading and math by high school graduation through criteria defined by the school district and local community college.
