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IB Career-related Programme

The IB Career-related Programme (CP) empowers students to take charge of their learning while pursuing what they’re passionate about. It’s a smart choice for young people who are goal-oriented, curious, and ready to connect their education to the real world.

Designed for students in their last two years of high school, the CP combines career-focused studies—like Nursing, EMT, Education, Personal Training, Engineering, or Naval Science at Fitch—with the academic rigor and global perspective of the IB, preparing students for real-world success.


Who is it for?

The CP is perfect for students who:

  • Have a strong interest in a specific career field (like business, health care, engineering, the arts, etc.)

  • Want a mix of hands-on, practical learning and challenging academic courses

  • Are thinking about college, university, or entering the workforce right after high school


What does the CP include

Career-related Studies
  • This is the core of the CP.

  • Students take courses focused on a specific career area, like IT, hospitality, sports management, or healthcare.

  • These courses are often taught in partnership with local colleges, technical schools, or industry programs.

 
At least Two IB Diploma Programme (DP) Courses
  • Students take 2 or more academic IB courses (like English, Business, Biology, etc.) to strengthen their learning and thinking skills.

  • These courses are known for being rigorous and internationally recognized.

 
The CP Core - This includes 4 elements that help students grow personally and professionally:
  • Personal and Professional Skills (PPS): Teaches life and work skills like communication, ethics, and teamwork.

  • Service Learning: Students take part in community service linked to their career interests.

  • Reflective Project: A research-based paper on an ethical issue related to the student’s chosen career field.

  • Language Development: Students improve in a second language, which helps them work in a global context.


What are the benefits?

  • Prepares students for real-world careers

  • Builds critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills

  • Offers flexibility to follow academic or career paths

  • Recognized by universities and employers around the world

  • Encourages global-mindedness and personal growth


What happens after the CP?

After completing the CP, students can:

  • Go to college or university (many CP students are well-prepared for higher education)
  • Enter the workforce with real skills and experience
  • Continue with career training or apprenticeships

IB CP at Fitch High School

EdRising

The UConn EdRising program, offered as a Career-related Study (CRS) within the IB Career-related Programme (CP), provides high school students with an early introduction to the teaching profession through dual-enrollment courses in partnership with the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education. Students explore pathways in education, gain hands-on experience, and earn college credit while still in high school.  Students in the EdRising program take courses such as UConn Educator’s Rising (EDCI1100), UConn Introduction to Special Education (EPSY1100), and Educator’s Rising II.

Read More about EdRising
Naval Science

The Naval Science/NJROTC program at Fitch High School serves as a Career-related Study (CRS) in the IB Career-related Programme, offering students a comprehensive introduction to leadership, citizenship, and maritime studies. Through a blend of classroom instruction and practical experiences, students build leadership skills, self-discipline, and teamwork while exploring topics related to naval science, national security, and community service.  Students begin with the Naval Science I course and progress from there to Naval Science II, III, and IV.

Read More about Naval Science
Nursing

The Nursing program at Fitch High School, as a Career-related Study (CRS) in the IB Career-related Programme, immerses students in the medical field through a progression of rigorous academic courses and authentic, hands-on learning experiences. Students build foundational knowledge in courses such as Introduction to Medical Careers, Honors Chemistry, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and Honors Anatomy and Physiology before participating in supervised clinical experiences at hospitals and long-term care facilities in the Honors Nursing Assistant course.

Read More about Nursing
Project Lead the Way

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nationally recognized STEM curriculum that serves as a Career-related Study (CRS) option within the IB Career-related Programme (CP). PLTW engages students in hands-on, real-world problem-solving experiences focused on engineering fields at Fitch High School in classes like Honors Introduction to Engineering, Honors Principles of Engineering, Honors Computer Integrated Manufacturing, and Honors Engineering Design and Development.

Read More about Project Lead the Way

Sample IB CP Student Schedules

Junior Year Schedule - EdRising Career-related Programme Student
A Day
IB TRCC Sports, Exercise, and Health Science 11
Honors Advanced PE UConn Oral Communication II
Children's Literature IB Personal and Professional Skills I
AP Psychology

 

B Day
AP Government 
IB Math SL 11
UConn Educators Rising 
IB UConn English 11

 

Junior Year Schedule - Nursing Career-related Programme Student

 

A Day
African American/Black and Puerto Rico/Latino Studies
Honors Chemistry
AP Government
TASC

 

B Day
Algebra II
Intro to Psychology UConn Oral Communications II
Botany IB Personal and Professional Skills I
IB UConn English 11