Industry certifications for TPS students
TULSA, OK -- Did you know that students at Tulsa Public Schools (TPS) can graduate with career-ready skills and industry certifications in areas including web design, business and agriculture? The district offers 46 career tech courses at 21 sites with programs available for students in both middle and high schools. Our career tech programs focus on a range of areas including graphic design, computer technology and repair, culinary arts, broadcasting, construction, and more!
“We offer career tech programs for all students in grades 9-12, and we even offer programs for some of our middle school students,” said Director of Postsecondary Readiness Krystal Hutchinson. “Students who enroll in these courses can get an early, hands-on look at our career and technical programs and decide if they want to expand on those classes in high school.”
High school juniors and seniors can take on-campus classes at Tulsa Tech, and four schools offer embedded Tulsa Tech programs: East Central, Edison Preparatory, Memorial, and Mclain. Students at East Central and Mclain can participate in advanced manufacturing classes with Tulsa Tech instructors. Memorial High School’s onsite Tulsa Tech program focuses on engineering, and Edison’s program focuses on business management and administrative support.
“We were excited to partner with the Hardesty Family Foundation and Greater Tulsa Home Builders Association to launch a construction program at Hale this year,” said Hutchinson. “Students in Hale’s new program are learning critical career-ready skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, realworld applications of math and science while preparing for high-wage jobs in the construction industry.”
Rogers College High School has partnered with the University of Tulsa to establish a Cybersecurity program. Students can prepare for careers in cybersecurity by taking entry-level courses and exploring the field of cybersecurity while still in high school.
Each year, more than 2,000 Tulsa Public Schools graduates earn industry-recognized certifications that help them stand out to employers as qualified and skilled candidates.
“My goal is to teach students how to operate in the world of business and to put them a step ahead of their competition,” said Edison computer technology teacher Carolyn Leach. “I know one student uses the computer skills she learned in career tech classes to work as a pharmacy technician and help pay her college tuition.”
The 2022-2023 enrollment window closes Feb. 13. V i s i t www.tulsaschools.org/enroll for more information and click here for key dates and events during the enrollment window.