Career Cluster : Government & Public Administration
Planning and performing government functions at the local, state and federal levels, including governance, national security, foreign service, planning, revenue and taxation, and regulations.
Workforce Region(s): All States Combined
Government & Public Administration Pathways
Pathway Description: People who work in the Governance pathway include the officials elected or appointed to government positions responsible for making and executing public policy. This pathway includes the President and members of Congress, governors and state legislators, and local elected officials such as councilpersons or commissioners. Also included are the staff members that support them. Careers in this pathway often require working with constituents or interest groups with conflicting goals. Leadership, consensus building and conflict resolution are important skills for success.
Secondary CTE Courses
World Concepts and Themes: This semester course will provide a foundation for all other social studies courses. Fundamental concepts and themes from various political, social and economic systems will be examined using specific historical events from the mid-18th century to the present. Emphasis will be on establishing the skills to critically analyze and interpret events from various time periods and regions and how these events help shape the modern, global world in which we live.
Geography: This semester course helps students develop broad geographic skills. In addition to learning the basics of world geography, students will learn how economics, culture, history, and political issues all influence geography, and how geography influences other disciplines.
Information Technology Applications: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications.
American Government and Comparative Political Systems: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, GIS and Internet applications to communicate, search for and access information.
Principles of Governance and Public Administration: This course is designed to give students an analytical description of government and politics in the United States and provide students with an understanding of working political systems different from that of the United States. This course involves the study of concepts used to interpret U.S. politics as well as exposure to concepts and theories used to explain comparative political phenomena. Students will be familiar with the institutions, groups, beliefs, cultures and ideas that comprise the U.S. political system.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: Maintaining a strong national security encompasses such diverse activities as running a hospital, commanding a tank, programming computers, operating a nuclear reactor, or repairing and maintaining a helicopter. The military provides training and work experience in these fields and many others for more than 2.5 million people who serve in the active Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard, their Reserve components, and the Air and Army National Guard.
Secondary CTE Courses
World Concepts and Themes: This semester course will provide a foundation for all other social studies courses. Fundamental concepts and themes from various political, social and economic systems will be examined using specific historical events from the mid-18th century to the present. Emphasis will be on establishing the skills to critically analyze and interpret events from various time periods and regions and how these events help shape the modern, global world in which we live.
Geography: This semester course helps students develop broad geographic skills. In addition to learning the basics of world geography, students will learn how economics, culture, history, and political issues all influence geography, and how geography influences other disciplines.
Information Technology Applications: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications.
American Government and Comparative Political Systems: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, GIS and Internet applications to communicate, search for and access information.
Principles of Governance and Public Administration: This course is designed to give students an analytical description of government and politics in the United States and provide students with an understanding of working political systems different from that of the United States. This course involves the study of concepts used to interpret U.S. politics as well as exposure to concepts and theories used to explain comparative political phenomena. Students will be familiar with the institutions, groups, beliefs, cultures and ideas that comprise the U.S. political system.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: People who work in the Planning pathway develop long- and short-term land use plans to provide for growth and revitalization of urban, suburban and rural communities, while helping local officials make decisions concerning social, economic and environmental issues. Planners promote the best use of a community land and resources for residential, commercial, institutional and recreational purposes.
Secondary CTE Courses
World Concepts and Themes: This semester course will provide a foundation for all other social studies courses. Fundamental concepts and themes from various political, social and economic systems will be examined using specific historical events from the mid-18th century to the present. Emphasis will be on establishing the skills to critically analyze and interpret events from various time periods and regions and how these events help shape the modern, global world in which we live.
Geography: This semester course helps students develop broad geographic skills. In addition to learning the basics of world geography, students will learn how economics, culture, history, and political issues all influence geography, and how geography influences other disciplines.
Information Technology Applications: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications.
American Government and Comparative Political Systems: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, GIS and Internet applications to communicate, search for and access information.
Principles of Governance and Public Administration: This course is designed to give students an analytical description of government and politics in the United States and provide students with an understanding of working political systems different from that of the United States. This course involves the study of concepts used to interpret U.S. politics as well as exposure to concepts and theories used to explain comparative political phenomena. Students will be familiar with the institutions, groups, beliefs, cultures and ideas that comprise the U.S. political system.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: Government agencies and public corporations and trusts have specific and rigorous standards for the stewardship of public resources. Public management careers will require technical skills related to budgeting, personnel management, procurement or other activities, and specific knowledge of the regulations and other policies that govern public management.
Secondary CTE Courses
World Concepts and Themes: This semester course will provide a foundation for all other social studies courses. Fundamental concepts and themes from various political, social and economic systems will be examined using specific historical events from the mid-18th century to the present. Emphasis will be on establishing the skills to critically analyze and interpret events from various time periods and regions and how these events help shape the modern, global world in which we live.
Geography: This semester course helps students develop broad geographic skills. In addition to learning the basics of world geography, students will learn how economics, culture, history, and political issues all influence geography, and how geography influences other disciplines.
Information Technology Applications: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications.
American Government and Comparative Political Systems: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, GIS and Internet applications to communicate, search for and access information.
Principles of Governance and Public Administration: This course is designed to give students an analytical description of government and politics in the United States and provide students with an understanding of working political systems different from that of the United States. This course involves the study of concepts used to interpret U.S. politics as well as exposure to concepts and theories used to explain comparative political phenomena. Students will be familiar with the institutions, groups, beliefs, cultures and ideas that comprise the U.S. political system.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: People who work in the Regulation pathway will typically possess a body of technical knowledge about an industry, the environment or technology. This coupled with a knowledge of related laws, rules and regulatory systems permit regulators to protect our health, safety and environment as well as ensure the integrity of our financial, transportation and public utility industries. The work may include physical inspections, audits, investigations and the reports, citations, hearings and courtroom trials required to enforce a myriad of regulatory requirements.
Secondary CTE Courses
World Concepts and Themes: This semester course will provide a foundation for all other social studies courses. Fundamental concepts and themes from various political, social and economic systems will be examined using specific historical events from the mid-18th century to the present. Emphasis will be on establishing the skills to critically analyze and interpret events from various time periods and regions and how these events help shape the modern, global world in which we live.
Geography: This semester course helps students develop broad geographic skills. In addition to learning the basics of world geography, students will learn how economics, culture, history, and political issues all influence geography, and how geography influences other disciplines.
Information Technology Applications: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications.
American Government and Comparative Political Systems: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, GIS and Internet applications to communicate, search for and access information.
Principles of Governance and Public Administration: This course is designed to give students an analytical description of government and politics in the United States and provide students with an understanding of working political systems different from that of the United States. This course involves the study of concepts used to interpret U.S. politics as well as exposure to concepts and theories used to explain comparative political phenomena. Students will be familiar with the institutions, groups, beliefs, cultures and ideas that comprise the U.S. political system.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
Pathway Description: People who work in the Revenue and Taxation pathway ensure that governments obtain revenues from businesses and citizens by collecting tax dollars, reviewing tax returns, conducting audits, monitoring taxes payable and collecting overdue tax dollars.
Secondary CTE Courses
World Concepts and Themes: This semester course will provide a foundation for all other social studies courses. Fundamental concepts and themes from various political, social and economic systems will be examined using specific historical events from the mid-18th century to the present. Emphasis will be on establishing the skills to critically analyze and interpret events from various time periods and regions and how these events help shape the modern, global world in which we live.
Geography: This semester course helps students develop broad geographic skills. In addition to learning the basics of world geography, students will learn how economics, culture, history, and political issues all influence geography, and how geography influences other disciplines.
Information Technology Applications: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, Internet applications and GIS to communicate, search for and access information. Students will develop skills related to word processing, database management and spreadsheet applications.
American Government and Comparative Political Systems: Students will use technology tools to manage personal schedules and contact information, create memos and notes, prepare simple reports and other business communications, manage computer operations and file storage, and use electronic mail, GIS and Internet applications to communicate, search for and access information.
Principles of Governance and Public Administration: This course is designed to give students an analytical description of government and politics in the United States and provide students with an understanding of working political systems different from that of the United States. This course involves the study of concepts used to interpret U.S. politics as well as exposure to concepts and theories used to explain comparative political phenomena. Students will be familiar with the institutions, groups, beliefs, cultures and ideas that comprise the U.S. political system.
Other Courses and Elective Activities: Local student organization activities, including public speaking, record keeping and work-based experiences.
The Perkins crosswalk of educational programs of study to occupations identifies a number of programs relevant to this career cluster: