Career Kickstart
Recommended Courses and Their Real-World Value
AP Career Kickstart courses can help schools extend AP into areas not traditionally part of an AP program and make advanced coursework more relevant to students who are interested in specific careers or who prefer applied learning.
Developed with both colleges and industry leaders, these courses combine college-level content with applied learning. Schools can add a Career Kickstart course within existing CTE programs of study as singletons or as new elective offerings, using current staff, schedules, and structures. Each of these AP courses stands on its own, so your school can start with one and add more over time.
| Course | What students learn | Projects | CTE Program of Study | Employment/Industry Value |
| AP Business with Personal Finance | How businesses grow and compete—and how to manage money, credit, and personal finances | Students complete an entrepreneurial Business Canvas project and a Financial Advisor project. | Business, Finance, Entrepreneurship | Connects directly to careers in business, finance, and entrepreneurship—including an employer-endorsed credential earned in high school |
| AP Computer Science Principles* | How technology, like AI, works—and how to build, program, and create with it | Students design and develop a computing solution to a real-world problem and design an AI-based solution, through two performance tasks. | Information Technology, Computer Science | Builds foundational computing, problem-solving, and AI-readiness skills used across a wide range of tech careers |
| AP Cybersecurity | How to identify risks, defend systems, and respond to cyber threats | Students analyze vulnerabilities and respond to realistic cybersecurity scenarios and incidents. | Cybersecurity, Information Technology | Prepares students for high-demand roles in cybersecurity, aligns to industry frameworks, and includes an employer-endorsed credential |
| AP Networking | How to configure, secure, and troubleshoot networks | Students complete hands-on networking tasks and scenarios, including building and managing networks. | Networking, IT Infrastructure | Develops practical skills used in network administration and IT support roles—including an employer-endorsed credential earned in high school |
| *While AP Computer Science Principles does not offer an employer-endorsed credential, it builds essential technology skills that align well with this career-focused course set. | ||||
Let us show you how this approach can help support your school's goals. Request information.
How These Courses Can Work in Your School
- Replace, not rebuild: Swap an existing course with its AP equivalent—using the staff, schedule, and structures you already have.
- Enhance what you offer: Add an AP course to an existing CTE program of study.
What These Courses Enable
- Alignment: Stronger connection between your AP offerings and your school’s career goals
- Availability: Chance for more students to earn college credit before graduation
- Dual Growth: Focused way to grow both CTE and AP at your school
- Student Outcomes: Skill-building that applies to both college and careers
Why This Matters
A stronger CTE pathway can include both career preparation and the opportunity to earn college credit. Offer AP in high-demand career pathways.
Complete the AP course interest form to get connected and explore more approaches to start or expand your AP program.
Resources
Download
Flyer: Career Kickstart Overview
AP Career Kickstart™ gives students access to college-level learning within in-demand career pathways, so career readiness and academic rigor reinforce each other rather than compete for space in the schedule.