Career and Technical Education Courses
Computer Fundamentals
In this introductory course, students will become familiar with the basic principles of a personal computer, including the internal hardware, the operating system, and software applications. Students will gain practice in using key applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as understand social and ethical issues around the Internet, information and security. This is the first of a two-semester course package. In the first semester, the focus is on the fundamentals, learning and using the applications, and understanding the basic roles and responsibilities of the software, hardware an operating system. In the second semester, the focus is on gathering and analyzing data, and using the right tools and methods to collect and present data.
Criminal Justice
Students will examine the history, organization and function of local, state and federal agencies that make up the criminal justice system and survey the process of crime and punishment from arrest to release. The role of police, courts and corrections will be explored along with investigation into criminal justice careers. Ethics and real case scenarios and hot topics in criminal justice will be discussed.
Culinary Arts I
Culinary Arts I is designed to create a complete foundation and understanding of Culinary Arts leading to post secondary education or a foodservice career. This fundamentals course begins to involve in-depth knowledge and hands on skill mastery of Culinary Arts. This is a hands-on course, so students should be prepared to have fun demonstrating cooking skills, eating and sharing their projects with family and friends to critique. Students will need to take digital pictures of their cooking projects and supply the recipe ingredients.
Culinary Arts II
Culinary Arts II is designed to create a complete foundation and understanding of Culinary Arts leading to post secondary education or a foodservice career. Building from techniques and skills learned in Culinary Arts II, this fundamentals course begins to involve in-depth knowledge and hands on skill mastery of Culinary Arts. This is a hands-on course, so students should be prepared to have fun demonstrating cooking skills, eating and sharing their projects with family and friends to critique. Students will need to take digital pictures of their cooking projects and supply the recipe ingredients.
*Digital Photography
In the digital photography and graphic design lessons, students begin by learning general photographic concepts. Then composition skills are added to photographs and image-editing techniques are practiced. Students learn how to use layers, crop images, color and lighting concepts, hue and saturation, and exposures and special effects. Graphic design, artistic elements, and software skills are taught while producing graphic images. The concept of design as a manner of visual communication is carried throughout. Students build a portfolio of work and explore the fields of photography, graphic arts, advertising, and illustration.
Employability Skills
Students will explore and develop the soft skills and other employability skills necessary to function successfully in a work environment. They will study the attributes that employers look for in an employee, workplace expectations, co-worker relations, conflict management and communication. The use of technology in the workplace and the importance of life-long learning in finding career satisfaction will also be covered. Open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12.
Entrepreneurship
Students will be introduced to the entrepreneurial concepts of business management and the principles needed to operate a business. New start up procedures and laws covered in this course will be specific to the State of Minnesota. In addition, students will be shown how to recognize and develop their talents, creativity and skills in order to become a successful, competitive part of the entrepreneurial workforce. This course is designed for those who plan to have their own businesses and for those who desire to learn or upgrade their business skills.
*Graphic Design
This course introduces students to graphic design as a form of visual communication that uses type, image, form and color. Projects explore design concepts, practices and processes while encouraging creative problem solving, critiques and discussion. Investigation of career pathways in visual arts and print technology provides the student with an artistic and business perspective of this exciting field. Students who take this class should be comfortable experimenting with technology.
Life Skills
Life Skills is designed to increase student knowledge and ability in skills necessary for everyday living. The course emphasizes defining personal values, goal-setting and planning, making decisions and solving problems, evaluating information and dealing with media and peer pressure, communication and relationships, decision making, wellness and personal safety, and contributing to your community.
Parenting
Parenting is a skill that the vast majority of us will need at some point in our lives. Learn how this demanding task can also be the most rewarding. This course is recommended for both male and female students who are either parenting already or plan to in the future. Children don't come with a manual - but this course will help!
Personal Finance
Understanding financial management concepts is an important life skill. From credit to insurance to taxes, it is imperative that students understand the consequences of their choices. Wisely managing their money, students become citizens that are more responsible. A thorough understanding of financial concepts, with practical application through activities and projects, will enable students to leave this course with applicable, useful skills for life. This course surveys the basic personal financial needs of most individuals and emphasizes the basics of budgeting, saving, checking, investments, credit, the wise use of insurance, and paying and preparing income tax returns. After high school, students face a world filled with possibilities, and the more knowledge they can acquire, the higher the probability that their financial future will be secure. Students taking this course will learn to better prepare for their financial futures.
Travel and Hospitality Marketing
The Travel & Hospitality Marketing course will teach students the core marketing standards and principles by taking them on an exciting journey using real world examples from one of the largest and most exciting service industries in the world! Specific applications include an overview of the travel, hotel and restaurant industries, career opportunities, culture and diversity, government regulations, international law, marketing analysis and promotions. Quality customer service will be emphasized and a variety of technology and multi-media will be used. Students will also earn hotel and restaurant skill certifications through this course.
Web Design
This one-semester course introduces students to the mechanics and elements of web design. Students will learn the key elements of design and HTML, the concepts of planning and organizing websites, and documentation and copyright issues associated with website design. Students will progress through the course, engaging in a variety of project-based assessments to evaluate their understanding.
* These courses have partial articulation agreements with Dakota County Technical College. Juniors and Seniors earning a grade of “B” or higher in these courses and final exams will qualify to earn a portion of college credit for the same course at DCTC.
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