Get a head start and complete your college requirements sooner. Students Occupationally and Academically Ready (SOAR) is a program that allows CTE students enrolled in a PA-approved program of study to receive free college credits upon completion of their CTE program. SOAR programs lead students into a career pathway that align high school courses to a college program to complete a degree or certificate. Local high schools also have CTE programs for which students can earn college credits while still in high school.
- What is a SOAR program?
-
These CTE programs (at the state or local high school level) Also called Programs of Study, (POS), SOAR programs articulate skills and tasks gained at the high school level to college credits that can go towards a college degree or certificate program. SOAR programs are connected to “high-priority” occupations, which means they are usually high-demand occupations with high wages.
State-level SOAR programs last three years beginning in 10th grade and consist of 1,080 total hours of instruction. They are competency-based and require that students complete and pass assessments to demonstrate their proficiency.
The College has local agreements with the School District of Philadelphia and with Universal Audenreid Charter High School. These are either SOAR programs that are articulated for fewer than nine credits or they are shorter SOAR-like programs that have been aligned with some courses at Community College of Philadelphia.
- Why should I enroll in a SOAR/CTE program?
- Specific SOAR/CTE programs may help students:
- Earn college credits, which means you can finish your degree sooner
- Save money on college tuition since you would have already completed some required courses
- Prepare for entering the job market with college- and career-ready skills
- Choose the best career pathway for you
- What do I have to do to earn free CTE credits at Community College of Philadelphia?
-
You should meet with your high school guidance counselor to review the following requirements.
- Earn a high school diploma
- Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in your Career and Technical Education core courses
- Complete the high school component of the approved PDE Program of Study
- Achieve “competent” or “advanced” level on the NOCTI, the high school end-of-year assessment for a SOAR/CTE program.
- Achieve proficiency on all tasks in the approved task list for the SOAR/CTE program.
- Have your high school submit the necessary paperwork to Community College of Philadelphia.
- Completed SOAR/local CTE program applications must be submitted by the Office of Career and Technical Education at the School District of Philadelphia to traneval@ccp.edu for processing.
- Apply to Community College of Philadelphia
- What documentation is required for college credits?
-
The Office of Career and Technical Education at the School District of Philadelphia submits student application packets to Community College of Philadelphia. This packet should include:
- Copy of high school diploma
- Official student transcript
- Perkins Statewide Articulation Agreement Coversheet or a coversheet for a local program articulation
- Secondary competency task list (make sure your secondary-school technical instructor signs it)
- PA Certificate of Competency or PA Skills Certificate from CTE program area or local certificate
- Earned industry certifications (if applicable)
- How many Community College of Philadelphia credits can I earn?
- The number of credits depends on the program and if it is a statewide SOAR program (which must be at least nine credits) or a state-level program for fewer than nine credits, or a CTE program from the School District of Philadelphia or Universal Audenreid Charter High School. The number of credits can range from 3 to 15. In order to receive the credits, you must enroll in a related program at Community College of Philadelphia.
- How long do I have to submit documentation to earn college credit?
- You have up to 16 months after your graduation date to earn the free CTE credits. Even if you have already graduated or it has been longer than 16 months, you should contact your high school to have the necessary documentation submitted by the Philadelphia School District or Universal Audenreid Charter High School.
- Where can I get more information about the SOAR program?
-
More information is available at the Philadelphia School District’s site and the PA Department of Education site (listed below)
School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Career and Technical Education
School District of Philadelphia’s Articulation/College Credit Information
Contact the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Career and Technical Education
PA Department of Education Programs of Study
PA Department of Education Programs of Study Framework
SOAR Programs at Community College of Philadelphia
State-Level SOAR Programs as of May 2022
| High School SOAR Program of Study (POS) |
Community College of Philadelphia Program(s) |
Community College of Philadelphia Courses |
|---|---|---|
| POS 10D – Automobile/Automotive Mechanics Technology/ Technician 47.0604 (HS Graduation Years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
Automotive Technology AAS Automotive Service I Proficiency Certificate |
AT 111 - Auto Suspen & Steer (4 credits) AT 121 - Auto Elec & Elec Sys (3 credits) AT 150 - Automotive Braking Systems (2 credits) Total: 9 credits |
| POS 12D – Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications 11.0901 (HS Graduation Years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
Network Administration AAS Computer Information Systems – Information Technology AAS |
CIS 103 – Computer Applications and Concepts (3 credits) CIS 105 - Computer Systems Maintenance (4 credits) CIS 150 - Network Technology (4 credits) Total: 11 credits |
| POS 26D – Computer Technology/Computer Systems Technology 15.1202 (HS Graduation Years 2020, 2021, 2022) |
Computer Information Systems - Information Technology AAS |
CIS 103 - Computer Applications and Concepts (3 credits) CIS 105 - Computer Systems Maintenance (4 credits) CIS 150 - Network Technology (4 credits) Total: 11 credits |
| POS 36D – Computer Technology/Technicians & Support Services 10.9999 (HS Graduation Years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
Photography AAS Digital Video Production AAS |
CIS 103 - Computer Applications and Concepts (3 credits) PHOT 104 - Introduction to Video Production (3 credits) PHOT 105 - Introduction to Digital Photography (4 credits) Total: 10 credits |
| POS 42C – Criminal Justice/Police Science 43.0107 (HS Graduation Years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) |
Criminal Justice AAS | JUS 101 – Survey of Criminal Justice (3 credits) JUS 235 – American Correctional Institutions (3 credits) JUS 261 – Criminal Evidence and Procedure (3 credits) Total: 9 credits |
Please note that if a SOAR program is or was for fewer than 9 credits, the articulation appears in the table(s) for local articulations with the School District of Philadelphia and/or Universal Audenried Charter High School.
Philadelphia School District CTE Programs of Study as of May 2021(HS Graduation Years 2021, 2022 and 2023)
| Philadelphia School District Program |
Community College of Philadelphia Program(s) |
Community College of Philadelphia Courses |
|---|---|---|
|
CIP Code 47.0703 Solar Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician |
Applied Science and Engineering Technology AAS (through 2020-21) Applied Engineering Technology AAS (beginning Fall 2021) |
GNEL 1X1 Solar Energy I: Energy System through Solar Installation (3 credits) GNEL 1X2 Solar Energy II: Solar Maintenance and Operation through Prepare and Maintain Tools/Equipment (3 credits) GNEL 1X3 Solar Energy III: Math and Literacy Computer Technical Skills through Vehicle Use (3 credits) Total: 9 credits |
|
CIP Code 52.1095 Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations – 3 Year Program |
Tourism and Hospitality Management AAS Tourism and Hospitality Management Proficiency Certificate |
THM 110 Introduction to the Hospitality Industry (3 credits) THM 112 Introduction to Tourism (3 credits) Total: 6 credits |
|
CIP Code 19.0905 Fashion Design – 3 Year Program |
Fashion Merchandising and Marketing AAS Fashion Retail Sales and Customer Service Proficiency Certificate |
FMM 101 Survey of the Fashion Industry (3 credits) FMM 105 Textiles (3 credits) FMM135 Fashion Product Promotion (3 credits) Total: 9 credits |
|
CIP Code 50.0602 Film and Video Production – 3 Year Program |
Photographic Imaging AAS Digital Video Production AAS Digital Imaging Proficiency Certificate Digital Video Production Proficiency Certificate |
PHOT 104 Introduction to Video Production (3 credits) |
|
CIP Code 52.0302 Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping – 3 Year SOAR Program |
Accounting AAS Accounting Paraprofessional Proficiency Certificate |
ACCT 101 Financial Accounting (4 credits) ACCT 103 Microcomputers in Accounting (3 credits) Total: 7 credits |
|
CIP Code 11.0901 Computer Systems Networking And Telecommunications – 3 Year SOAR Program |
Cybersecurity AAS Web Development I Proficiency Certificate |
CIS 103 Applied Computer Technology (3 credits) CIS 150 Network Technology (4 credits) Total: 7 credits |
|
CIP Code 12.0508 Institutional Food Workers – 3 Year SOAR Program |
Culinary Arts AAS Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate |
CULA 161 Foodserv Safety & Sanitation (2 credits) CULA 170 Elm Food Prep (4 credits) (requires Serve Safe Manager industry certification) Total: 6 credits |
| CIP Code 12.0501 Baking and Pastry Arts/Baker/Pastry Chef – 3 Year SOAR Program | Culinary Arts AAS Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate |
CULA 151 Elementary Baking and Pastry (4 credits) CULA 161 Food Service Safety and Sanitation (2 credits) (requires Serve Safe Manager industry certification) Total: 6 credits |
|
CIP 51.9999 Health Related Technology – 3 Year SOAR Program |
Health Care Studies AA Medical Assistant Proficiency Certificate Patient Service Representative Proficiency Certificate |
AH 116 Interpersonal and Professional Skills in Health Care (3 credits) |
|
CIP 15.1303 Drafting & Design Technology – 3 Year Program |
Architecture AA Interior Design AA Facilities Management AAS Construction Management AAS Architectural Visualization Proficiency Certificate |
ADC 103 CAD Basic (3 credits) |
|
CIP 1.0401 Food Processing Sciences – 3 Year Program and Industry Certification
|
Culinary Arts AAS Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate |
CULA 161 Food Service Safety and Sanitation (2 credits) |
|
CIP 12.0501 Baking and Pastry Arts Management – Industry Certification
|
Culinary Arts AAS Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate |
CULA 161 Food Service Safety and Sanitation (2 credits) |
|
CIP 12.0508 Culinary Arts – Industry Certification
|
Culinary Arts AAS Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate |
CULA 161 Food Service Safety and Sanitation (2 credits) |
|
CIP 52.0401 Business Administration – Industry Certification
|
Business-General AA Business Leadership AAS Accounting AAS American Sign Language/English Interpreting AAS Applied Science and Engineering Technology AAS (through 2020-21) Applied Engineering Technology AAS (beginning Fall 2021) Behavioral Health/Human Services AAS Computer Information Systems - Information Technology AAS Criminal Justice AAS Cybersecurity AAS Digital Video Production AAS Fashion Merchandising & Marketing AAS Fire Science AAS Health Care Studies AA Human Services Academic Certificate Network Technology Management and Administration AAS Network & Systems Administration Proficiency Certificate Paralegal Studies AAS Photographic Imaging AAS Recovery and Transformation Academic Certificate Tourism and Hospitality Management AA Web Development I Proficiency Certificate |
CIS 103 Applied Computer Technology (3 credits)
|
|
CIP 52.1801 Sports Marketing & Management – Industry Certification
|
Business-General AA Business Leadership AAS Accounting AAS American Sign Language/English Interpreting AAS Applied Science and Engineering Technology AAS (through 2020-21) Applied Engineering Technology AAS (beginning Fall 2021) Behavioral Health/Human Services AAS Computer Information Systems - Information Technology AAS Criminal Justice AAS Cybersecurity AAS Digital Video Production AAS Fashion Merchandising & Marketing AAS Fire Science AAS Health Care Studies AA Human Services Academic Certificate Network Technology Management and Administration AAS Network & Systems Administration Proficiency Certificate Paralegal Studies AAS Photographic Imaging AAS Recovery and Transformation Academic Certificate Tourism and Hospitality Management AA Web Development I Proficiency Certificate |
CIS 103 Applied Computer Technology (3 credits) |
|
CIP 11.0901 Computer Systems Networking– Industry Certification
|
Computer Information Systems - Information Technology AAS Network Technology Management and Administration AAS Network & Systems Administration Proficiency Certificate |
CIS 150 Network Technology (4 credits) |
|
CIP 15.1202 Computer Supports Systems Technology – Industry Certification
|
Computer Information Systems - Information Technology AAS Network Technology Management and Administration AAS Network & Systems Administration Proficiency Certificate Biomedical Equipment Technology I Proficiency Certificate |
CIS 105 Computer Systems Maintenance (4 credits) |
|
CIP 11.0801 Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design - 3 Year Program |
Computer Information Systems - Information Technology AAS Web Development I Proficiency Certificate |
CIS 130 Web Page Design I (3 credits) |
Universal Audenreid Charter High School CTE Programs as of May 2021 (HS Graduation Years 2021, 2022 and 2023)
| Universal Audenried Charter High School | Community College of Philadelphia Program(s) | Community College of Philadelphia Courses |
|---|---|---|
| CIP 12.0508 Institutional Food Worker – 3 Year Program |
Culinary Arts AAS Culinary Arts I Proficiency Certificate |
CULA 161 Food Service Safety and Sanitation (2 credits) CULA 170 Elementary Food Preparation, Principles, and Practices (4 credits) Total: 6 credits |
| CIP 51.9999 Health Related Technology – 3 Year Program |
Health Care Studies AA Medical Assistant Proficiency Certificate Patient Service Representative Proficiency Certificate |
AH 116 Interpersonal and Professional Skill in Health Care (3 credits) |
| CIP 50.0402 Commercial and Advertising Art – 3 Year Program |
Art and Design AA Liberal Arts AA Photographic Imaging AAS |
ART 150 Introduction to Computer Art/Graphic (3 credits) PHOT 105 Introduction to Digital Photography, Contingent on portfolio review by Community College of Philadelphia Photographic Imaging faculty (4 credits) Total: 7 credits |