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Career Prep

Career Prep Courses

Penn Foster offers a variety of vocational and career elective course options in both our general and advanced track curriculums.

These courses allow students the opportunity to explore career options at the high school level. Each course is worth one credit. Depending on the state in which the student resides, it is up to the current school that you are attending to matriculate credits as they deem acceptable.

The advanced courses are part of our most academically challenging curriculum and are designed to prepare students pursuing admissions into 4-year college institutions.

Career Prep Courses

Trade

  • Appliance Repair (1 credit)

    Get a head start toward a business of your own repairing home appliances. Includes details on using tools, testing electric appliances, relays, and motors.

  • Auto Repair Tech (1 credit)

    Learn about the automotive repair field, engine parts and operation, and engine types. Includes a practical exercise.

  • Automotive Engine Theory Advanced (1 credit)

    Students will learn about engine types, engine parts and operations, lubrication, cooling, and ignition systems. The course concludes with in-depth coverage of engine diagnosis, disassembly, rebuild and reassembly.

  • Basic Electronics (1 credit)

    Learn the fundamentals of electricity. You'll study conductors, insulators, batteries, circuit analysis, Ohm's law, and multimeter usage. Includes practical exercises, practice kits, and learning aids.

  • Construction Theory Advanced (1 credit)

    This course provides detailed coverage of the theory and practices used in today's residential construction industry. The course includes math skills specific for the building trades, interpreting construction drawings, tool identification and safety and framing techniques for basic house construction.

  • Drafting (1 credit)

    You don't need art experience or drawing skills to enjoy security, prestige, and income from this rewarding career field. Learn to use the drafters' world language, understand size and shape description, and project orthographic views.

  • Electrician (1 credit)

    Learn how to get started as an electrician, work with electrician's tools, and the basics of wiring in this fascinating program. Electricians make great money and demand is high in the construction and maintenance fields.

  • Electricity 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    Electricity 1 enables students to develop the essential competencies for working in the construction electricity industry. These competencies include safety practices, direct-current electrical-circuit skills, appropriate communication and math skills, basic electricity and electrical codes and employability skills.

  • Electronics Technology 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course provides students with an introduction to the knowledge, human relations, and technical skills of electronics technology.

  • Electronics Technology 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course provides students with an intermediate understanding of the knowledge, human relations, and technical skills of electronics technology.

  • Home Inspector (1 credit)

    Learn some of the most important parts of the Home Inspector's job. Discover the opportunities in this great field and how you can work part-time hours and earn full-time income. Learning aids and special supplements included.

  • HVAC Theory Advanced (1 credit)

    HVAC theory will introduce students to the concepts of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) trade. This course provides instruction on basic electrical theory; the fundamentals of HVAC - including tools, safety, equipment and hardware; and the basics of refrigeration and heating and air conditioning.

  • Plumbing Theory Advanced (1 credit)

    This course instructs students on the essential theory and practices employed by the plumbing profession. Students will learn math skills specific to the plumbing trade; plumbing tool identification and safety; plumbing connections; and the theory of installing plumbing fixtures.

  • Small Engine Repair (1 credit)

    Learn the basics of engine repair, including tool usage, small engine parts and operation, lubrication, cooling, and ignition systems.

Health & Culinary

  • Catering/Gourmet Cooking (1 credit)

    Learn how to make money in your own food catering business. Topics include an introduction to catering, the dynamics of the catering business, food styles in catering, and alcoholic beverages.

  • Food Preparation Theory Advanced (1 credit)

    This course introduces students to the processes and practices of professional food preparation. Students will learn the tools and organization of a gourmet kitchen and food preparation techniques for soups, fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, grains and pasta. The course also teaches baking techniques and an introduction to world cuisines.

  • Health Science 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to introduce students to basic medical terminology and body systems as well as provide an overview of the factors relating to the transmission of disease.

  • Personal Training Theory 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    Students will learn the theory and terminology associated with exercise science and basic nutritional concepts necessary to maximize personal exercise programs. The course also covers essential topics related to cardio-respiratory theory and the basic concepts of muscular strength and endurance.

  • Personal Training Theory 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is a continuation of Personal Training Theory 1. Students will learn strength conditioning concepts for the upper and lower body, flexibility training, injury prevention and stress management techniques. The course also covers the design of individual fitness programs and the legal and ethical issues related to the personal training industry.

Creative Services

  • Computer Art Advanced (1 credit)

    This course teaches students the fundamentals of computer art using the popular commercial software package Adobe Illustrator. Students learn the basics of good design and the basic principles of graphic design. The course also provides instruction on the basic operations of Adobe Illustrator.

  • Desktop Publishing and Design (1 credit)

    This exciting program will introduce you to one of the fastest-growing computer career fields! Master the electronic publishing process, the elements of design, and the kinds of graphics and illustrations desktop publishers can create. Learning aids and special supplements included.

  • Digital Design 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to develop basic entry-level skills required for careers in the digital publishing industry. The content includes computer skills, digital publishing concepts and operations; layout, design, and measurement activities; and digital imaging. **The software is not included.

  • Dressmaking and Design (1 credit)

    Get an introduction to sewing and start toward a moneymaking career in dressmaking. You’ll learn basic sewing, how to select fabrics, proper care of garments, and more. Includes practical exercises and learning aids.

  • Interior Design (1 credit)

    Be the one friends and neighbors rely on to make their homes look great. Lessons include how to meet a client's needs, design with furniture, and more. Client/Needs Analyzer and furniture template included.

  • Introduction to Interior Decorating Advanced (1 credit)

    Students will learn the basic principles of design and color as well as the most common styles and periods of furniture and how to identify them. Specific instruction is provided on decorating theory related to floors and walls, fabrics, and lighting. Students also learn the basics of how to decorate based on building plans and complete a decorating project.

  • Web Design 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to provide a basic overview of the Internet, Intranet, and WWW. The content includes operating systems; basic HTML commands; navigation of the Internet, Intranet, and Web; and Web page design. **Software not included.

Business & IT

  • Bookkeeping (1 credit)

    Experts show you the basics you need to get into this moneymaking field. Learn about the accounting equation, assets, liabilities, owner's equity, and much more.

  • Bookkeeping 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    Bookkeeping 1 focuses on the basic principles of common bookkeeping practices. Students learn the basics of the accounting equation and the structure of the basic books in accounting. The course also includes coverage of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, expenses, and financial reports.

  • Bookkeeping 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is a continuation of bookkeeping 1 that covers accounting systems, wholesale accounting, end-of-the-month activities as applied to accounting practice, as well as a brief introduction to computer applications for bookkeeping and accounting. This course concludes with the completion of a bookkeeping project.

  • Business Software Applications 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to develop proficiency using the advanced features of software programs to perform office-related tasks.

  • Computing for College and Careers Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to provide a basic overview of current business and information systems and trends and to introduce students to the basics and foundations required for today's business environments. Emphasis is placed on developing proficiency with touch keyboarding and fundamental computer applications, so that they may be used as a communications tools for enhancing personal and work-place proficiency in an information-based society.

  • Introduction to Paralegal Practice Advanced (1 credit)

    This course offers students an overview of the role and practice of the paralegal. Students learn legal terminology, the basic principles of law and the legal system and the professional and ethical practices expected of a paralegal. The course also covers elements of business law, civil and criminal litigation as well as legal research and writing.

  • Personal Computer Specialist (1 credit)

    Topics include using and understanding Windows, understanding software, and adding software to your computer.

  • Small Business Management (1 credit)

    Provides an introduction on how to prepare to start your own business. Learn the basics of a business plan.

  • Travel Agency Operations 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the basics of travel agency operation and to the requisite employability skills needed for success in the operation of a travel agency.

  • Travel Agency Operations 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    The purpose of this course is to develop math, sales promotion, and effective selling competencies needed for successful travel agency operations.

Childcare

  • Teacher Aide (1 credit)

    Discusses the skills needed to be a valuable member of the classroom team as a teacher aide. Topics include skills for the effective teacher aide, child development and human behavior, how children learn, and enhancing children's self-esteem.

Healthcare & Veterinary

  • Dental Assistant (1 credit)

    Demand is on the rise around the U.S. for skilled Dental Assistants. Your Career Key elective includes information on dentistry and dental assisting, terms and anatomy, dentists and the law, and basic dental examinations. Learning aids and special supplements included with your program.

  • Dental Assisting Theory 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    In this course students learn the basic theory of the dental practice as it applies to the dental assistant. Coverage includes dental law and ethics, dental terminology and anatomy, cavity classification, the procedures of the dental operatory, and safety practices related to disease transmission and infection control.

  • Dental Assisting Theory 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is a continuation of Dental Assisting Theory 1. Students learn about OSHA regulations applicable to dental practice, radiology theory, pharmacology and anesthesiology, applications of dental materials and an overview of dental specialties. Students will also learn business and office practice techniques for the dental office and the basic operations of practice management software.

  • Medical Office Assistant (1 credit)

    Get a look at what it's like to work side by side with doctors in the rewarding health care field. Topics include learning strategies, time and stress management, interpersonal communication, and law and medical ethics. Includes supplements on speaking and communication skills.

  • Pharmacy Assisting 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course introduces the students to the skills required to assist a pharmacist in the role of a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician. Students will learn about the rules that govern pharmaceutical development and the operation of a typical pharmacy. The course also provides instruction of label preparation and prescription processing. The mathematical applications necessary for proficiency as a pharmacy assistant are also covered in this course.

  • Pharmacy Assisting 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    In this course students learn dispensing techniques for the most typical forms of retail pharmaceuticals. Students will also learn the basic chemistry of how drugs work; an overview of basic medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and the most common drug classifications.

  • Pharmacy Technician (1 credit)

    An introduction to the Pharmacy Technician profession. Provides details on drug information sources, drug development, and drug manufacturers. Learning aids included.

  • Veterinary Assistant (1 credit)

    Start learning the skills you need to become a Veterinary Assistant. Topics include introduction to animal care, animal behavior, handling and restraint, and veterinary terminology. Includes access to an audio CD, pronunciation guides, and flash cards. This course is offered as an elective option.

  • Veterinary Assisting 1 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to develop competencies in areas such as the history of the animal industry; applied scientific and technological concepts; ecosystems; safety; and human relations skills.

  • Veterinary Assisting 2 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to develop competencies in areas such as global importance of the animal industry; career opportunities; animal behavior; animal welfare; and animal control.

  • Veterinary Assisting 3 Advanced (1 credit)

    This course is designed to develop competencies in the areas of animal digestive systems; animal breeding; preventive medicine and disease control; control of parasites; animal marketing; and analyzing records.