Yes, high school students can earn college credit through the Tech Prep Program, which can lead to a certificate or Associate degree.

Students who begin earning college credit during high school benefit by saving time and money while becoming better prepared for enrolling in a degree or certificate program. You save time by not having to repeat the college credit courses taken in high school and save money on college tuition and text books for these courses.

You can find a list of participating high schools and the courses they provide at the SDCCD Tech Prep website. Click here for list of available classes.

The number of units you can earn depends on the career pathway you choose to take. See the list of available career pathways.

Fill out an application online and return a printed and signed signature page to your high school teacher or counselor. Online application.

A grouping of occupations that include sequences of courses to prepare individuals with the technical knowledge and skills needed to prepare for further education and/or current and emerging careers.

Some of the career areas that students may enter through career and technical education include:

• Agriculture (farmers, animal scientists, turf grass specialists);
• Trade and Industrial (automotive technicians, carpenters, electricians);
• Business and Marketing (entrepreneurs, financial officers, arts/graphics designers);
• Family and Consumer Sciences (management and life skills, executive chefs, hotel managers);
• Health Occupations (nurses, physical therapists, biomedical engineers);
• Public Safety and Security (EMTs, emergency management and response coordinators);
• Technology (3D animator, computer engineer, biotechnical engineer).

Outlines the courses the student must take to earn an Associate Degree or Certificate. Seeing a College counselor to get an educational plan early on can save both time and money. This plan can always be updated as career interests and educational plans change.

• San Diego City College
• San Diego Mesa College
• San Diego Miramar College
• San Diego Continuing Education