Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month is approaching! Elko County School District is highlighting exciting new dual credit programs that let high school students explore careers while earning college credit. Through partnerships with Nevada colleges, students can get a jumpstart in high-demand fields like nursing, teaching, law enforcement, construction and more—helping them save time and money on their path to college and career.
Great Basin College: Dual Credit Academy Pathways and CTE College Credit
The Dual Credit Academy at Great Basin College (GBC) serves as a vital pipeline, connecting ECSD students to higher education opportunities within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). Starting as early as their junior year, students can select from several defined pathways to earn college skills certificates, certificates of achievement, and associate degrees.
Career and Technical Education Dual Credit Pathways: Approved ECSD CTE Pathways include Law Enforcement, Teaching and Training (with focuses on Paraprofessional or licensed teaching), Business Management, Accounting and Finance, Agricultural Welding, Automotive Technology, Building Trades in Construction, Welding Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Medical Assisting, and Nursing Assistant. For more information on the Dual Credit Academy pathways, visit ECSD’s CTE page at https://www.ecsdnv.net/page/cte
Flexible Learning: Courses are offered in various formats, including online, in-person, hybrid, and interactive video (IAV), ensuring access for students in outlying schools.
Theatre Technology: Elko High School also offers an in-person concurrent enrollment course in Theatre Technology in partnership with GBC.
CTE College Credit: Students can earn free college credit in several ECSD CTE pathways by completing their approved pathway, passing workplace readiness and end-of-program assessments, and maintaining a 3.0 GPA. More information on articulated credit is available at gbcnv.edu/cte/. Articulated credit is also available at other NSHE community colleges via statewide agreements, ensuring broad transferability.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas: Youth Rebel Start Academy (RSA)
The Youth Rebel Start Academy (RSA) at UNLV offers a unique opportunity for "future changemakers" to jumpstart their college journey as early as the summer after their sophomore year, which also includes an apprenticeship.
Inspire, Learn, and Earn: The program allows students to serve as youth apprentices, earning a paycheck while simultaneously completing enough college credits to finish their first year of a four-year degree.
Full Funding: Pending available funding, the NV Forward initiative covers tuition and fees, potentially saving students more than $10,000 in out-of-pocket costs.
Resources: Additional details can be found at the Youth RSA website.
University of Nevada, Reno: Collegiate Academy and Animal Science
Through the Collegiate Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), students in the Animal Science pathway have a specialized concurrent enrollment opportunity.
Livestock Production: Students can earn direct college credit for Elements of Livestock Production (AGSC 100) through the UNR College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources.
Program Information: Learn more about the wide range of opportunities through the UNR Collegiate Academy.
Truckee Meadows Community College: Dental Assisting Program
In a multi-agency partnership involving the HRSA Oral Health Workforce Grant, the Nevada Division of Healthcare Financing and Policy, and Nevada Health Centers, students can enroll in a specialized Dental Assisting program through Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC).
Program Structure: Students enroll in two dual credit courses (one in the fall and one in the spring).
Hands-On Training: The curriculum features online coursework supplemented by a full-day, in-person lab in the spring for skill development and testing.
For more information on these opportunities, reach out to your school counselor or CTE Facilitator Heather Steel at hsteel@ecsdnv.net.
CTE students lead the way in graduation success. Across Nevada, 98.8% of students who complete a CTE program graduate from high school. Here in Elko County, our CTE students consistently exceed a 95% graduation rate—proof that hands-on learning and real-world skills make a difference.
Throughout February, we’ll be spotlighting ECSD’s CTE programs and student success stories. Stay tuned!