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Business, Marketing, and Finance
Learn about the Business, Marketing, and Finance career cluster.
Strengthen your business skills
The Business, Marketing and Finance Career Cluster® focuses on careers in planning, organizing, directing, and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations.
Need a hard copy? See the 24-25 Business, Marketing and Finance Career Cluster Packet (PDF).
Programs of study
Expand AllAccounting & Financial Services
The Accounting & Financial Services program of study teaches CTE learners how to examine, analyze, and interpret financial records. Through this program of study, students will learn the skills necessary to perform financial services, prepare financial statements, interpret accounting records, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. This program of study will also introduce students to mathematical modeling tools.
Course pathways
| Level | Campus pathway | GRCTC pathway |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance, and/or Money Matters Business Information Management I | |
| 2 | Accounting I Financial Mathematics Entrepreneurship | |
| 3 | Insurance Operations | Accounting II |
| 4 | Career Preparation I | Securities and Investments Practicum in Business Management
|
Note: Level 3 and 4 classes are advanced CTE courses.
Aligned Occupations
| Occupations | Median Wage | Annual Openings | 10 year % Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $78,022 | 12,989 | 20% |
| Tax Preparers | $56,956 | 898 | 14% |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $77,605 | 1,877 | 21% |
Industry-Based Certifications
- Accounting Foundations
- Microsoft Excel Expert (Excel and Excel 2019)
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Tax Counseling Certification: Basic
Postsecondary options
Below is a list of potential career certifications for a student interested in this program of study.
| Education Level | Options |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree |
|
| Bachelor's Degree |
|
| Master's/Doctoral Degree |
|
*Additional industry-based certification information is available on the TEA CTE website.
For more information on post-secondary options for this program of study, visit the TXCTE website.
Expanded learning opportunities
One of the best ways to acquire experience in your chosen career is by engaging in exploration activities, work-based learning, or by joining a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO).
Exploration activities
- Participate in DECA
Work-based learning activities
- Get an internship with a local accounting firm
- Shadow a financial advisor as an intern at an investment company
Business Management
The Business Management program of study teaches CTE learners how to plan, direct, and coordinate the administrative services and operations of an organization. Through this program of study, students will learn the skills necessary to formulate policies, manage daily operations, and allocate the use of materials and human resources. This program of study will also introduce students to mathematical modeling tools and organizational evaluation methods.
Course pathways
| Level | HS Campus pathway | GRCTC pathway |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principles of Business, Marketing and Finance Business Information Management I | |
| 2 | Business Law Business Information Management II Entrepreneurship I | Virtual Business |
| 3 | Human Resources Management | Business Management Global Business |
| 4 | Statistics and Business Decision Making Career Preparation I | Practicum in Business Management |
Note: Level 3 and 4 classes are advanced CTE courses.
Aligned Occupations
| Occupations | Median Wage | Annual Openings | % 10 Year Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialist | $61,278 | 6,239 | 23% |
| General and Operations Managers | $83,220 | 25,450 | 23% |
| Supervisors of Administrative Support Workers | $59,585 | 13,885 | 9% |
Industry-Based Certifications
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business
- General Management
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel Expert (Excel 2019)
- Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Word 2019)
- Customer Service and Sales Certified Specialist
- Skudent Social Media Marketing Certification
Postsecondary options
Below is a list of potential career certifications for a student interested in this program of study.
| Education Level | Options |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree |
|
| Bachelor's Degree |
|
| Master's/Doctoral Degree |
|
*Additional industry-based certification information is available on the TEA CTE website.
For more information on post-secondary options for this program of study, visit the TXCTE website.
Expanded learning opportunities
One of the best ways to acquire experience in your chosen career is by engaging in exploration activities, work-based learning, or by joining a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO).
Exploration activities
- Participate in DECA
Work-based learning activities
- Get an internship with a local business or chamber of commerce
Marketing and Sales
The Marketing and Sales program of study teaches CTE learners how to collect information to determine potential sales of a product or service and/or create a marketing campaign to market or distribute goods and services. Through this program of study, students will learn the skills necessary to understand and apply data on customer demographics, preferences, needs, and buying habits.
Course pathways
| Level | Campus pathway | GRCTC pathway |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance | |
| 2 | Fashion Marketing Sports and Entertainment Marketing Entrepreneurship | Marketing |
| 3 | Social Media Marketing Advertising Insurance Operations | Retail Management |
| 4 | Statistics and Business Decision Making Practicum in Marketing Career Prep | Advanced Marketing |
Note: Level 3 and 4 classes are advanced CTE courses.
Aligned Occupations
| Occupations | Median wage | Annual openings | % Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing Research Analysts | $60,926 | 5688 | 35% |
| Retail Salespersons | $28,356 | 56,132 | 15% |
| Sales Managers | $123,729 | 3,368 | 21% |
Industry-Based Certifications
- Entrepreneurship and Small Business
- Skudent Social Media Marketing Certification
- Customer Service and Sales Certified Specialist
Postsecondary options
Below is a list of potential career certifications for a student interested in this program of study.
| Education level | Options |
|---|---|
| Associate's Degree |
|
| Bachelor's Degree |
|
| Master's/Doctoral Degree |
|
*Additional industry-based certification information is available on the TEA CTE website.
For more information on post-secondary options for this program of study, visit the TXCTE website.
Expanded learning opportunities
One of the best ways to acquire experience in your chosen career is by engaging in exploration activities, work-based learning, or by joining a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO).
Exploration activities
- Participate in DECA
Work-based learning activities
- Do an internship with a local marketing firm
- Shadow a real estate agent
- Intern at a local retail company
Graduation planning
Endorsement: Business & Industry
See course descriptions and additional information on the course descriptions page.
Contact us
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