Career Clusters & College Programs of Study
16 Federal Career Clusters encompass and organize all occupational information, enabling students to plan and
progress in core academics, technical skills and employability skills that relate to their career goals.
Career Clusters and College (Post-Secondary) Courses of Study are provided as examples of offerings in
Virginia colleges and universities, including the Virginia Community College system. There may be additional
programs of study, with varying program content. No specific connections between particular careers and courses
of study are intended. Courses of study are classified into three divisions within each cluster, based on
approximate length of time required for completion. The lightest shading indicates study of less than 2 years; the
medium shading indicates study of approximately 2-3 years; the darkest shading indicates study of 4 years of
more. Many jobs also require related work experience, which is not included here.
Career Cluster
Agriculture,
Food &
Natural
Resources
Architecture &
Construction
Sample Occupations
Sample College (Post-Secondary) Programs of Study
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Agricultural Salesperson
Animal Trainer
Biologist
Botanist
Farmer
Food Technologist
Forest and Conservation Worker
Hazardous Materials Handler
Mining Machine Operator
Park Ranger
Soil and Water Specialist
Veterinarian
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Wildlife Manager or Technician
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Outdoor Recreation and Resource Mgmt
Mining Technology Supervision
Wind Turbine Service Technology
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Agricultural Technology
Biotechnology
Horticulture Technology
Landscape Design
Environmental Technology
Forestry
Mining
Veterinary Technology
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Agribusiness
Animal Science
Archaeology
Biology
Botany
Chemistry
Environmental Engineering
Environmental Science
Food Science
Natural Resource Mgmt
Mining Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
Park Mgmt
Recreation Mgmt
Soil Science
Veterinary Science
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Architect
Brick Mason
Building Inspector
Carpenter
Civil Engineer
Cost Estimator
Computer – Aided Drafter
Construction Equipment
Operator
Construction Manager
Electrician
General Contractor
Heating, AC and Refrigeration
Technician
Iron / Metalworker
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Apprentice (all trades)
Architectural Drafting
Computer Aided Drafting/Design
Geographic Information Systems
Heavy Equipment Operation
Land Planning, Survey and Development
Residential Design Estimating
Welding
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Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
(Civil) Engineering Technology
Construction Management
Energy Technology
Engineering Technology
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Architecture
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Arts,
Audio-Visual
Technology &
Communication
Business,
Management &
Administration
Education &
Training
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Maintenance Planner/Scheduler
Plumber, Pipefitter
Painter
Sheet Metal Worker
Welder
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Civil Engineering
Construction Management
Engineering Science
Environmental Engineering
Historic Preservation
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Urban/Environmental Planning
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Actor
Audio-Visual Systems
Technician
Broadcast and Sound Technician
Camera Operator/Editor
Dancer
Desktop Publishing Specialist
Editor
Lighting Designer
Musician
News Analyst, Reporter
Photographer
Printing Press Operator
Producer, Director
Talent Agent
Telecommunications Specialist
Writer and Author
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Multimedia Design
Interactive Design
Web Design Specialist
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Fine or Studio Art
Interior Design
Music
Photography
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Art Education
Art History
English Literature
Dance
Fashion Design
Film and Video
Fine or Studio Art
Graphic Design
Photography
Interior Design
Drama/Theatre
Museum Studies
Music
Music Education
Sculpture
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Administrative Assistant
Bookkeeping Clerk
Budget Analyst
Compensation/Benefits Manager
General Manager
Health Services Manager
Human Resources Manager
Management Analyst
Meeting and Convention Planner
Public Relations Specialist
Purchasing Manager
Training Manager
Wholesale or Retail Buyer
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Business Information Technology
Desktop Publishing
Entrepreneurship
Finance
International Business
Word Processing
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Administrative Support Technology
Business Mgmt/Admin
Finance
Healthcare Administration
Public Mgmt
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Accounting
Business Mgmt/Admin
Commerce
Finance
Health Administration
Hospital Mgmt
Human Resources
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Audiologist
Curriculum Developer
Educational Psychologist
Elementary, Secondary Teacher
Instructional Coordinator
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Early Childhood Development
Paraprofessional Education
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Early Childhood Development
Deaf Studies
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Audiology
Finance
Government &
Public
Administration
Health
Science
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Librarian
Museum Curator
Post-secondary Instructor
Pre-School Teacher
Principal
School Counselor
Speech-Language Pathologist
Teacher Assistant
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Communication Disorders
Education (Teaching)
Health and Fitness
Human Development
Speech Pathology
School Counseling
School Psychology
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Accountant
Actuary
Bill Collector
Insurance or Claims Agent
Credit Analyst
Financial Counselor
Financial Planner
Loan Interviewer, Officer
Securities Sales Agent
Tax Preparer
Title Researcher and Examiner
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Bank Teller
Bookkeeping
Customer Service Representative
Tax Preparation Certificate
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Accounting
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Accounting
Commerce
Economics
Finance
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Word Processing
Information Processing
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Aid Worker
Cargo Inspector
Court Clerk
Census Clerk
City Manager
Diplomatic Courier
Economic Development
Specialist
Legislative Assistant
Military Intelligence Officer
Postal Worker
Real Estate Appraiser
Revenue Agent
Tax Examiner
Transportation Inspector
Urban Planner
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Business Mgmt/Admin
Administrative Support
Finance
International Business
Public Management
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Business Mgmt/Admin
Economics
Finance
Foreign Affairs
Geographic Studies
Government
History
International Relations
Philosophy
Politics/Political Science
Public Policy
World Language
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Athletic Trainer
Dental Hygienist
Dietician
Emergency Medical Technician
Health Information Technologist
Home Health Aide
Medical Assistant
Medical Lab Technologist
Medical Transcriptionist
Nurse, Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Therapist
Optician
Pharmacist
Phlebotomist
Physical Therapist
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Emergency Medical Technician
Massage Therapy
Medical Office Clerk
Medical Transcription
Nurse Aide
Phlebotomy
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Biomedical Engineering
Dental Hygiene
Diagnostic Sonography
Health Administration
Health Information Technology
Medical Lab Technology
Occupational Therapy Assisting
Opticianry
Hospitality &
Tourism
Human
Services
Information
Technology
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Physician
Radiation Therapist
Respiratory Therapist
Surgeon
Ultrasound Technician
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Physical Therapy Assisting
Radiologic Technology
Registered Nursing
Respiratory Therapy
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Audiology
Biology
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Health and Fitness
Nursing (Baccalaureate)
Nutrition/ Dietetics
Occupational Therapy
Medical Technology
Pharmacy
Physical Therapy
Public Health
Speech Pathology
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Caterer
Chef, Pastry Chef
Cook
Exhibit Developer
Event Planner
Food and Beverage Manager
Front Desk Supervisor
Promoter
Recreation/Fitness Worker
Resort Manager
Sports Instructor
Ticket Agent
Tour Guide
Tourism Marketing Specialist
Travel Agent
Wait Staff
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Exercise Science
Fitness Studies
Meeting Event and Exhibit
Travel and Tourism
Tour Guiding
Retail Management
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Culinary Arts
Business Mgmt/Admin
Hospitality Mgmt
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Athletic Training
Business Mgmt/Admin
Events Management
Exercise Science
Hospitality Mgmt
Human Resources
Travel and Tourism
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Barber
Beautician, Nail Technician
Childcare Worker
Clergy, Minister
Coordinator of Volunteers
Funeral Director
Massage Therapist
Mental Health Counselor
Preschool Teacher
Psychologist
Residential Advisor
Social Worker
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Bereavement Counseling
Human Services
Substance Abuse Rehabilitation
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American Sign Language
Funeral Service
Human Services
Mental Health
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Social Work
Counseling
Psychology
Religion/Theology
Sociology
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3D Animator
Computer Programmer
Computer Support Specialist
Computer Technician
Cybersecurity Analyst
Database Administrator
Network Administrator
Software Developer
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A+
CISCO
Healthcare IT Technician
Network +
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Computer Electronic Technology
Computer Software
Health Information Technology
Information Systems Technology
Law,
Public
Safety,
Corrections &
Security
Manufacturing
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Systems Administrator
Web Designer
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Computer Science
Computer Engineering
Multimedia Design
Software Engineering
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Animal Control Worker
Attorney
Corrections Officer
Detective, Investigator
Emergency Services Manager
Firefighter
Fish and Game Warden
Lawyer, Judge
Loss Prevention Specialist
Paralegal
Police Officer, Deputy
Probation Office
Security Guard
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Forensic Science
Homeland Security
Law Enforcement
Paralegal Certificate
Police Science
Protective Services
Security Mgmt
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Administration of Justice
Corrections Science
Fire Science Technology
Paralegal Studies
Police Science
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Criminal Justice
Law Enforcement
Paralegal Studies
Pre-Law
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Aircraft Assembler
Computer Control Programmer
Electronics Assembler
Engine/Machine Assembler
Industrial Engineer
Inspector
Machinist, Millwright
Power Plant Operator
Process Improvement
Technician
Production Planner
Production Supervisor
Purchasing Agent
Quality Engineer
Safety Coordinator
Shipbuilder
Tool and Die Maker
Welder
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Drafting Technology
Industrial Maintenance
Industrial Servicing
Machine Operations
Machine Tool and Quality
Welding
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Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Computer Numerical Control Machining
Electronics Technology
Energy Technology
Industrial Technology
Instrumentation
Precision Machining Technology
Technical Studies
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Commercial and Industrial Design
Industrial Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Occupational Health and Safety
Advertising Manager
Customer Service
Representative
E-Commerce Director
Marketing and Sales Manager
Model, Promoter
Procurement Clerk
Product Planner
Real Estate Agent
Retail Sales Supervisor
Sales Representative
Small Business Owner
Store Manager
Technical Sales Specialist
Telemarketer
Wholesale/Retail Buyer
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Communication Design Multimedia
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Sales
Travel and Tourism
Web Design Manager
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Business Administration
Marketing
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Commerce
Communications
Marketing
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Marketing,
Sales &
Service
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Science,
Technology,
Engineering &
Mathematics
Transportation,
Distribution &
Logistics
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Aerospace Engineer
Biologist, Biological Technician
Biomedical Engineer
Chemist, Chemical Technician
Civil Engineer
Computer Engineer
Drafter
Electrical/Electronics Engineer
Engineering Manager
Engineering Technician
Environmental Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Lab Technician
Mechanical Engineer
Mining Engineer
Nuclear Engineer
Quality-Control Scientist
Research Technician
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Computer-Aided Drafting/Design
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Electrical Engineering Technology
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Anthropology
Astronomy
Atmospheric Sciences
Biology
Biochemistry
Bioengineering
Chemistry
Earth Science
Engineering (all types)
Ethnic Studies
Genetics
Geography
Geographic Studies
Geology
Linguistics
Oceanography
Materials Science
Neuroscience
Physics
Physiology
Statistics
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Air Traffic Controller
Aircraft Pilot, Flight Engineer
Aircraft Service Technician
Automotive Technician
Auto Body Technician
Avionics Technician
Bus Driver
Diesel Engine Specialist
Flight Attendant
Freight Supervisor
Logistics Manager
Marine Technician
Safety Analyst
Shipping and Receiving Clerk
Transportation Supervisor
Truck Driver
Urban and Regional Planner
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Airframe Maintenance
Automotive Diagnosis
Automotive Electrical Technology
Diesel Mechanics
Heavy Equipment Operation
Power Plant Maintenance
Truck Driving
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Aviation Maintenance Technology
Automotive Technology
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Aerospace Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Business Management
Environmental Engineering
Logistics and Transportation
Urban/Environmental Planning