Business and Industry Endorsement

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 1

Business and Industry

Endorsement

All students can thrive with the proper tools and resources to prepare them for their career

paths. The goal of a career endorsement is to equip students for life after high school by

ensuring they have everything they need to obtain a postsecondary degree or industry

certiﬁcation that reﬂects their individual passions and skills.

Career Endorsements help prepare students for high-demand careers. There are many paths

to success, and all are worth celebrating.

WHAT IS AN ENDORSEMENT?

An endorsement is an option students can add to their high school diplomas to show

knowledge and/or skills gained in one of ﬁve broad subject matter areas: STEM, Arts

and Humanities, Business and Industry, Public Services, or Aerospace and Defense or

in Multidisciplinary Studies. To get an endorsement, students must complete a logical

sequence of speciﬁc courses and activities approved by their districts. The following are

suggestions. Decisions about endorsements are at the determination of the district.

Schools will use this endorsement guide to:

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Collaborate with industry leaders to build customized pathways so students can

earn endorsements from high-demand industries.

For example, a district and employer may build an agreement allowing students

earning an endorsement to automatically qualify for an internship with their

organization.

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Collaborate with local postsecondary educators to build customized pathways for

students to earn endorsements.

For example, a district and university may build an agreement allowing students

earning an endorsement to opt out of ﬁrst year academic advising on campus.

Students will use this endorsement guide to:

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Accompany their ICAP plan and take steps toward gaining meaningful experience

in their chosen career pathway.

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Locate college and career preparation events in their area.

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Research Oklahoma’s fastest growing industries.

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Participate in career training programs to meet future workforce needs.

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Connect with community mentors passionate about giving students the

opportunity to succeed past high school.

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2

Business and Industry Endorsement

This Career Endorsement prepares learners for careers in numerous ﬁelds that relate to

business and industry. After learning a student career interest, these endorsements should

serve as a guide for students and families. Take a look at growing careers in the Business and

Industry ﬁeld Manufacturing, Marketing, Transportation, Distribution & Logistics, Business

Management & Administration, Finance, Architecture & Construction, Hospitality & Tourism,

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources.

To earn the Business and Industry Endorsement, students must earn at least 10 points from

across the domains of engagement: Academics, Leadership, Experience, and Service.

OPTION 1 OPTION 2

Academics At least 4 points At least 4 points

Leadership

At least 3 points from

two areas

At least 2 points from

each area

Experience

Service

Total 10 Points 10 Points

Some courses taken during the high school years may be eligible to count toward more than

one domain or may only be eligible for domains other than Academics. Please review this

table carefully when planning your pathway.

ACADEMICS

Compile at least four points from the Academic domain.

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Additional math course: In addition to the three required mathematics courses, each

mathematics course beyond the rigor of Algebra 2 (i.e., pre-calculus, statistics, AP

Calculus, etc.) [1 point].

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Two computer science courses: Includes all courses addressing the Level 1 Oklahoma

Academic Standards for Computer Science (i.e., Computer Science 1 and 2) [1 point].

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Career Technology course: Complete any Career Technology course under the

Business and Industry category [1 point].

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Career Technology academy programs: Complete a Career Technology program

(i.e., welding, manufacturing, plumbing, computer science academy, etc.) [2 points per

completed year].

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Internship experience: Completing Internship I or II (course codes 2790 or 2791) may

provide either one point in Academics or one point in Experience, but not both [1 point].

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Foreign language: One course in addition to required foreign language course, Earn a

Seal of Biliteracy [2 points].

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Business or consumer science: Family and consumer science, accounting, marketing,

etc. [1point].

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Concurrent enrollment: Any concurrent enrollment course related to a business and

industry degree [1 point per course].

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 3

Business and Industry Endorsement

LEADERSHIP

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Leadership in clubs: Hold an elected position in Business and Industry - related clubs

(i.e., DECA, BPA, FCCLA, Coding Club, Debate, etc.) [1 point per club].

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School clubs: Participate as an active member in Business and Industry-related clubs

(i.e., DECA, BPA, FCCLA, Vo-Ag, 4-H, Coding Club, Mathematics club, Debate Club,

Career Technology student group, ROTC, etc.) [1 point per club].

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Community clubs: Boy/Girl Scouts (if certain level/number of badges is reached) or

other non-school organizations such as athletics Boys & Girls or Junior Achievement as

long as they’re Business and Industry - focused [1 point per club].

EXPERIENCE

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Job shadow: Job shadow experience in a business and industry ﬁeld (in person or

virtual) [1 point].

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Career Technology program of study: Participate in a Business and Industry related

program of study [2 points].

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Internship or pre-apprenticeship: Experience in a Business and Industry ﬁeld (in

person or virtual) [1 point].

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Summer academies: STEM Summer Academies [1 point].

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Work experience: Working a part - time job either in summer or during the school year

[1 point].

SERVICE

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Community service: Community service project related to solving a business and

industry-related problem [1 point].

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Tutoring: Volunteer as a tutor (district determines minimum amount of time) [1 point].

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Community clubs: Boy/Girl Scouts (if certain level/number of badges is reached)

or other non-school organizations such as athletics Boys & Girls Club or Junior

Achievement as long as they’re business and industry-focused [1 point per club].

For a full list of service or work-based learning activities, click here.

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 4

Business and Industry Endorsement

CAREERS BY PATHWAYS

Oklahoma’s Critical Occupations include jobs that are in-demand and make high wages.

Many of these occupations have skills that translate to other similar jobs and industries.

Explore how you can use experiences gained from your endorsement to enter and advance

in these careers in industries that are vital to growing our state’s economy.

BUSINESS

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Information Services

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Transportation and Distribution

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Financial Services

INDUSTRY

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Heavy Equipment Operations and

Maintenance

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Construction Careers

CAREER TRAINING / COLLEGE READINESS RESOURCES

Career Technology Programs Map

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The map is meant to help students and families locate Career Technology

Programs of Study available in their counties. Using this map students and families

can begin making postsecondary plans while connecting their career interests to

high-demand careers by career cluster.

Advanced Placement Opportunities

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Advanced Placement courses can be an excellent opportunity to prepare students

for college courses.

CAREER PLANNING RESOURCES

OK College Start

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OK College Start is a free online tool that provides career interest quizzes, career

information, growing occupation trends, scholarship and ﬁnancial aid resources,

and information about programs of study in Oklahoma. This is a perfect tool to pair

with career curriculum in the classroom, as well as ﬁnancial aid presentations.

OK Career Guide

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The OK Career Guide is a free online tool to provide students free career-interest

assessments, information about career expectations, growing trends in occupations,

and information on programs of study available in Oklahoma. This interactive tool can

be used in the classroom during career lessons and while at home with parents.

OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 5

Business and Industry Endorsement

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Bacon College

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Cameron University

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Carl Albert State College

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Connors State College

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East Central University

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Eastern Oklahoma State College

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Langston University

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Mid-American Christian University

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Murray State College

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Northeastern Oklahoma A&M

College

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Northeastern State University

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Northern Oklahoma College

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Northwestern Oklahoma State

University

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Oklahoma Baptist University

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Oklahoma Christian University

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Oklahoma City Community College

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Oklahoma City University

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Oklahoma Panhandle State

University

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Oklahoma State University

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Oklahoma State University - Institute

of Technology

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Oklahoma State University - OKC

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Oklahoma Wesleyan University

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Oral Roberts University

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Redlands Community College

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Rogers State University

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Rose State Community College

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Seminole State College

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Southeastern Oklahoma State

University

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Southern Nazarene University

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Southwestern Christian University

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Southwestern Oklahoma State

University

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Tulsa Community College

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University of Central Oklahoma

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University of Oklahoma

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University of Science and Arts of

Oklahoma

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University of Tulsa

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Western Oklahoma State College

To view a list of Oklahoma University programs click the links below: