Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and courses are offered in Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) 6th – 8th grade in K-8 and middle schools; high schools and in post-secondary technical colleges and adult education centers.

At the middle school level, students are introduced to CTE programs in exploration and introduction courses, which are designed to pique their interest in learning about career clusters and pathways. At the high school level, students ideally commence study in the ninth grade, which provides them an opportunity to specialize or concentrate their efforts in a particular career and technical program of study.

Students may also study CTE as dually enrolled students in technical college or university courses.

The K-12th grade CTE programs may be classified into the following categories:

• Middle School and Career Exploratory (grades 6-8)
• Career Preparatory (grades 9-12)
• Technology Education (grades 6-12)
• Work-based Learning and Capstone Courses (grades 9-12)
• Post-Secondary courses in M-DCPS technical colleges (as dually-enrolled students during high school or after graduation)
• Other CTE courses including those for students with significant cognitive disabilities and legacy life and family management courses that are not part of a pathway.