IB Career-related Program
What is the CP?
The IB Career-Related Program (CP) is an innovative education framework for students ages 16-19 incorporating the vision and education principles of the IB into a unique program specifically tailored for students who wish to engage in career-related learning. The aim of the CP is to provide students whose passion is focused on a career-related pathway with both a more rigorous academic format and a practical foundation to support both their further studies and specialized training, thereby ensuring their success as they move into various colleges and later into the workforce.
The programme aims to develop students interests in a specific career path, and help students flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically. The CP curriculum is made up of two required IB Diploma course subjects that students study as one component of the program. The second part of the CP is the CP "Core", which is comprised the Personal & Professional Skills (PPS) course, a career-related Service Learning experience, and the Reflective Project. Through the CP Core, students reflect on the nature of knowledge as it relates to their intended field of study, complete independent research on an ethical dilemma in their pathway and undertake projects that often involves community service.
What the CP offers students
Through the CP, schools are able to develop students who:
- have excellent knowledge and expertise in a specific career pathway
- flourish physically, intellectually, emotionally and ethically
- study at least two languages
- excel in some traditional academic subjects
- explore the "soft skills" the business world is putting high value on through the Personal & Professional Skills course.
Why offer the CP?
International research shows that there are many benefits to choosing the CP over other 16-19 year old curricula. For example:
- CP students are better able than their peers to cope with demanding workloads, manage their time and meet the expectations placed on them
- Analysis of DP students in Canada, the UK and the USA found that the DP’s extended essay improves students’ approach to learning in higher education.
- Offers students a more rigorous scheduling opportunity for those with a passion for a particular career pathway
Completion Requirements for CP
- Take 2 IB Courses (one must be a two-year course) and pass your IB Exam for each
- Language and Cultural Studies
- Community Engagement
- Reflective Project
- IB Personal and Professional Skills Class
- Complete one CTAE pathway
- Pass the end of pathway exam
Elements of the IB Career Programme
Reflective Project
A culminating research paper on an ethical dilemma within their chosen pathway designed to teach students how to independently research topics, discuss such a dilemma, and then make their own argument regarding its resolution. This is much like those they will be exposed to at the college/university level
Personal & Professional Skills (Course)
An interdisciplinary course that explores concepts of ethics and personal development of the "soft skills" so essential in future careers and enables students to reflect critically on the question of “Why do we do this?” They learn about how looking at the way we communicate with each other, how it impacts them in their future employment, and how decision making requires logical connections of differing areas of knowledge and skills to do so.
Community Engagement
Through creative activities, sports, volunteerism, etc., students build confidence in themselves while improving their communities (IBO expects students to make community contributions for an average of 2 hours each week over a student’s junior and senior years). Where possible, this should be connected in some way to the student's career pathway.
Language and Cultural Studies
The IB requires that all CP students complete one year of coursework in a language that is not their native language and is a language used to communicate in today's society. Students may choose an independent study option to complete this requirement if they are multilingual. In addition to this requirement, students are required to complete a learning journal showing their growth in the language of study. Students will choose a goal area in one of three areas: career, personal, or community and should complete a minimum of 70 hours over two years studying or growing in their goal area. All work on the language and cultural studies is assessed as part of the PPS course.