Beginning with students receiving diplomas on or after Jan. 1, 2027, Oregon students earning an Oregon Diploma must complete a half-credit in Higher Education and Career Path Skills.
Created under Senate Bill 3, the new requirement is part of the existing 24 credits required for graduation and does not increase the total number of credits students must earn.
Despite its name, Higher Education and Career Path Skills, commonly referred to as HECPS, is not limited to preparing students for college. The course helps students develop practical skills for education, training and employment.
Students learn how to prepare resumes, complete job applications and participate in interviews. They also explore colleges, financial aid, scholarships, apprenticeships and other training opportunities while developing employability, self-advocacy and workplace skills.
“The course supports students as they research the education their intended career will require, while also developing skills that are necessary in any field,” said Alexandra Browne, a language arts teacher at Waldport High School. “It more clearly demonstrates how the skills they learn in class will apply to the workforce.”
Before the pandemic, many students completed what was commonly known as a senior project. Formally called the Extended Application, the project required students to research a career and gain firsthand knowledge through activities such as job shadows or interviews with professionals in the field.
Elements of that project are now integrated into the HECPS curriculum. Instead of simply providing students with project requirements, the course supports them throughout the process and helps them connect what they are learning to their plans after graduation.
The stand-alone, semester-long course is designed primarily for juniors and seniors and includes four units focused on self-advocacy, career exploration and preparation, postsecondary readiness and workforce readiness.
Students learn how to apply for college, trade school or other training; identify career qualifications; prepare for interviews; demonstrate professionalism; and advocate for themselves in school and the workplace. The course also covers employee rights and how to seek assistance or accommodations.
Although Lincoln County School District schools have long offered college and career preparation programs, HECPS is distinctive because its curriculum is specific to Oregon. Students learn about Oregon employment laws, educational requirements, training programs and apprenticeship opportunities while exploring resources and career pathways available within the state.
“Students often have a good idea of what they would like to do after graduation, but this course gives them practical, Oregon-specific information that can help them take the next step,” Browne said. “It helps students see their goals as something achievable and understand how they can move from graduation into education, training, employment and future career advancement.”
Whether students plan to attend a four-year university, community college or trade school, enter an apprenticeship, join the workforce or pursue another path, the course is intended to help them understand their options and navigate what comes next.
This story is part of a five-part LCSD series explaining Oregon’s new graduation requirements.
Read more about Higher Education and Career Path Skills.