CHOOSING YOUR PATH
The Minnesota Career Fields, Clusters &
Pathways chart graphically depicts the
organizing framework of the foundation
knowledge and skills, career fields, career
clusters, and career pathways that Minnesota
will use for developing programs of study
in career and technical education. Once
developed, learners at various levels (high
school, collegiate, or workforce training level)
will then be able to choose from several
individual programs within a program of study
in order to attain the specific knowledge, skills
and abilities needed to pursue a career of your
choice.
Programs of study are sets of aligned programs
and curricula that begin at the high school
level and continue through college and
university certificate, diploma and degree
programs. The following are some of the key
elements that underlie the definition:
» Flexible course and program formats
convenient for learner segments;
» Course portability for seamless progression;
» Multiple entry and exit points to support
continuing education, returning adults, and
dislocated workers;
» Connections between high school and
postsecondary education, skill progression,
and career opportunities that align academic
credentials with job advancement in high-
skill, high-wage or high-demand occupations.
» Competency based curricula tied to industry
expectations and skill standards;
» Sequential course offerings that provide
strategic entry and exit points as needed
throughout a lifetime - this leads to
manageable “stepping stones” of skill building,
high school graduation and postsecondary
education completion;
Source: Dakota County Technical College,
Minnesota State Colleges & Universities and
Minnesota Department of Education.
Minnesota Career Fields, Clusters & Pathways
■ Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources
> Animal Systems
> Agribusiness Systems
> Environmental Service Systems
> Food Products and Processing Systems
> Natural Resources Systems
> Plant Systems
> Power, Structural, and Technical Systems
Problem Solving • Critical Thinking
Employability • Citizenship • Ethics
Career Development • Integrity • Teamwork
Legal Responsibilities • Academic Foundations
Technology Application • Communications
Safety, Health & Environment • Leadership
Technical Literacy • Cultural Competence
Lifelong Learning • Financial Well-Being
Organizational & Global Systems
Creativity • Innovation
E
■ Education and Training
> Administration and
Administrative Support
> Professional Support Services
> Teaching/Training
■ Government and Public
Administration
> Revenue
and Taxation
> Foreign Service
> Governance
> National Security
> Planning
> Public Management
and Administration
> Regulation ■ Human Services
> Consumer Services
> Counseling and
Mental Health Services
> Early Childhood
Development and Services
> Family and Community
Services
> Personal Care Services
■ Law, Public Safety,
Corrections, and Security
> Correction Services
> Emergency and Fire
Management Services
> Law Enforcement
Services
> Legal Services
> Security and
Protective Services
Foundation
Knowledge & Skills
Ar
t
I nf
t,
en
CAREER FIELD
Agriculture, F ood,
ral Resources
& Natu
■ Information Technology
> Information Support and Services
> Network Systems
> Programming and Software Development
> Web and Digital Communications
n
Ma C
■ Hospitality and Tourism
> Lodging
> Recreation, Amusements and Attractions
> Restaurants and Food/Beverage Services
> Travel and Tourism
■ Finance
> Banking Services
> Business Finance
> Securities and Investment
> Accounting
> Insurance
■ Business, Management,
and Administration
> Administrative Support
> Operations Management
> Business Information Management
> Human Resources Management
> General Management
■ Arts, Audio/Video Technology, and Communications
> Audio/Video Technology and Film
> Journalism and Broadcasting
> Performing Arts
> Printing Technology
> Telecommunications
> Visual Arts
■ Marketing
> Merchandising
> Marketing Management
> Marketing Communications
> Marketing Research
> Professional Sales
H e a lt h S cie n c e
Tech n olo gy
CARE
ER FIELD
■ Health Science
> Biotechnology Research and Development
> Diagnostic Services
> Support Services
> Health Informatics
> Therapeutic Services
Learn about Programs of Study
www.mnprogramsofstudy.org
Career and Technical Education
www.learningthatworks.org
■ Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
> Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance
> Health, Safety, and Environmental Management
> Logistics Planning and Management Services
> Sales and Services
> Transportation Operations
> Transportation Systems/Infrastructure
Planning, Management, and Regulation
> Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations
■ Architecture and
Construction
> Construction
> Design/
Pre-construction
> Maintenance/
Operations
Legend:
■ = Career Cluster
> = Career Pathway
Explanation provided on reverse side.
■ Manufacturing
> Production
> Manufacturing
Production
Process Development
> Maintenance,
Installation, and Repair
> Quality Assurance
> Logistics and
Inventory Control
> Health, Safety,
and Environmental
Assurance
■ Science,
Technology,
Engineering, and
Mathematics
> Engineering
and Technology
> Science and Mathematics
Version 2015
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10/19/15 12:12 PM
Lakeville in Demand
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