1 of 2

Statewide Program of Study: Programming and Software Development — Page 1�

Revised–Jan 2025

Information Technology Career Cluster

The Information Technology (IT) career cluster focuses on the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from Software Developer and Programmer to Cybersecurity Specialists and Network Analysts.

Statewide Program of Study: Programming and Software Development

The Programming and Software Development program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with researching, designing, developing, testing, and operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computer applications. This program of study includes creating, modifying, and testing the codes, forms, and script that allow computer applications to run.

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

Level 1

Level 2

  • Computer Science I
  • AP Computer Science Principles

Level 3

Level 4

  • Practicum in Information Technology

Aligned Advanced Academic Courses

AP or IB

AP Calculus AB

AP Statistics

IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretation SL

Dual Credit

Dual credit offerings will vary by local education agency.

Students should be advised to consider these course opportunities to enrich their preparation. AP or IB courses not listed under the Secondary Courses for High School Credit section of this framework document do not count towards concentrator/completer status for this program of study.

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

  • Intern at a local IT company to develop skills in programming and coding
  • Shadow a software developer to learn how they create and improve software to support efficient processes at their company

Expanded Learning Opportunities

  • Program and create a game
  • Participate in SkillsUSA or TSA

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications

  • Apple App Development with Swift
  • C++ Certified Associate Programmer
  • Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP)
  • Certified Professional Programmer
  • Certified User: Programmer
  • CodeHS Python Level 1 Certification
  • CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
  • CompTIA Linux+
  • Information Technology Specialist: Java
  • Information Technology Specialist: JavaScript
  • Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
  • Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals
  • Oracle Certified Associate Java SE 8 Programmer
  • Oracle Database SQL Certified Associate
  • CompTIA A+ Certification
  • CompTIA Server+

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Apprenticeships

  • Computer Programmer Apprenticeship

Associate Degrees

  • Computer Programming
  • Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design

Bachelor’s Degrees

  • Data Science
  • Computer Engineering

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

  • Management Science
  • Computer Software Engineering

Additional Stackable IBCs/License

  • AWS Certified Developer Associate

Example Aligned Occupations

Computer User Support Specialists

Median Wage: $51,411

Annual Openings: 5,757

10-Year Growth: 21%

Software Developers

Median Wage: $111,705

Annual Openings: 15,324

10-Year Growth: 36%�

Computer Programmers

Median Wage: $87,997

Annual Openings: 1,176

10-Year Growth: 4%

Successful completion of the Programming and Software Development program of study will fulfill requirements of the STEM endorsement if the math and science requirements are met or the Business and Industry endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission. Retrieved 3/8/2024.

Programming and Software Development

2 of 2

Statewide Program of Study: Programming and Software Development — Page 2

Information Technology Career Cluster

Statewide Program of Study: Programming and Software Development

Course Information

Level 1

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites   

Career Clusters

Level 2

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites  

Career Clusters

Computer Science I*

03580200 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Algebra I or�Corequisites: Algebra I

Recommended Prerequisites: None�Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Information Technology

AP Computer Science Principles*

A3580300 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: None�Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: Algebra I�Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Information Technology

Level 3

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters

Continued on next page

* Indicates course is included in more than one program of study.

For additional information on the Information Technology career cluster, �contact cte@tea.texas.gov or visit https://tea.texas.gov/cte 

[LEA name] does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: [title], [address], [telephone number], [email]. Further nondiscrimination information can be found at Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs.

Programming and Software Development

Computer Science III 

03580350 (1 credit)

Prerequisites: Computer Science II, Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science A, or International Baccalaureate (IB) Computer Science Standard Level or IB Computer Science Higher Level

Corequisites: None

Recommended Prerequisites: None�Recommended Corequisites: None

1. Information Technology

Level 4

Course

Prerequisites | Corequisites

Career Clusters