RECOMMENDED CLASSES PER CAREERS

“We all want something. Some people take the right path, and some don’t.” – Christopher Markus

Each state has their own graduation requirements for high school seniors. Your school may even have their own graduation requirements, too. States (and high schools) want students to have a broad educational base that can prepare them for any career. Most center around core courses in academic subjects such as English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Some states / schools also require students to fulfill requirements in Arts, Foreign Language, and Physical Education.

By fulfilling those requirements, you will be eligible (at least on paper) for most colleges. The highly selective schools however will want you to complete four years of classes in those core subject areas, along with two or more years of a foreign language.     

A simple rule for class selection: Take four years in each of the four academic core subjects, as well as two years or more of a foreign language.

ELECTIVES

College admissions officers want well-rounded applicants just as much as they want applicants to check-off the class boxes. After mapping out those classes above, you may have opportunities to take elective classes. This is your chance to explore your interests. Take courses that fuel those passions and interests. High school is really where students should begin to feed their curiosities, so they make educated decisions that affect the rest of their life and career.

COURSE PLANNING FOR CAREERS

If you already know what specific major you would like to pursue, electives become even more important. Some colleges and universities will look for specific classes in your transcript in addition to the core courses. Below is a list of some suggestions for a few of the more common majors.

NOTE ON THE BELOW

IB means International Baccalaureate. In the United States, AP classes are much more popular and more useful for high school students. The IB courses however are taught at two levels: “SL” or Standard Learning and “HL” or Higher Learning.

ACCOUNTING / FINANCE / BANKING

Accounting
Economics
IB Math SL/HL
Calculus
Statistics
Computer (Office Suite, etc.)

ENGINEERING

AP Calculus AB/BC
Multivariable Calc
IB Math SL/HL
AP Physics
AP Chemistry
Pre-Calc
Robotics
AP Comp Sci
Computer (Coding)
Drafting/Design

FORENSIC SCIENCE

Anatomy/Physiology
AP Psychology
IB Biology HL
AP Biology
Statistics
AP Chemistry
IB Chemistry HL

MEDICINE / DENTISTRY/ VETERINARY

Anatomy/Physiology
AP Psychology
IB Biology HL
AP Biology
IB Physics SL/HL
AP Chemistry
IB Chemistry SL/HL
Economics

LAW

AP Government
AP Psychology
Speech
Drama
Statistics
IB English HL
IB History HL
Physics
AP US History
Journalism
AP English

PHARMACY

Anatomy
AP Psychology
AP Chemistry
IB Chemistry HL
IB Biology HL
AP Biology
Statistics

BUSINESS

Accounting
AP Psychology
Business
Economics
Computer
IB Bus. Mgmt. SL
IB English HL
Statistics
Web Design

COMMUNICATIONS

Art I, II
Digital Photography
IB English HL
IB Visual Arts SL/HL
Journalism
Yearbook/Newspaper
Music Technology
Web Design

GRAPHIC / VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Art I, II, III, IV
Digital Photography
Graphic Design I, II
IB Visual Arts SL/HL
Computer
Web Design
Computer Modeling
Animation