High School Credit AND College Credit
For a small fee, a TCD student may enroll in the College of DuPage and receive college credit in addition to high school credit. This is called "dual credit" and the amount of available credit varies from program to program. Credit earned is recorded on the student's high school transcript and is transferable to any college that accepts C.O.D. credit.
Many TCD students follow a "2+2+2" plan, that is, completing two years at TCD, two years with a community college, and continuing at a four-year institution for the last two years of a bachelor's degree program. Click here for a PDF of available college credit.

Industry Certifications
Students in most TCD programs have the opportunity to prepare for available industry certifications and/or state licenses. In addition, many programs themselves are certified or licensed, recognized by their industry as an official training and/or testing center. Earning certification indicates a student has the drive and discipline to achieve the goals critical for future success in his or her chosen career. Click here for a PDF of available certifications.

Work-Based Learning

• A paid student internship is a school-to-work model for students who have achieved an instructor-determined level of acquired skill, to continue to learn at a TCD program area-related job, and to be paid for their work while receiving credit. Instructor and employer work together to develop a customized program to meet the employer's needs and curriculum requirements.
• Extended Campus experiences are supplemental, off-campus, on-the-job experiences which enhance TCD curriculum. They are designed to provide hands-on, unpaid job experiences by an instructor-recommended student for a period of up to 15 days. When such experiences are arranged, the student will be assigned to a job location work under the supervision of a job site mentor.
  Click here to download the TCD Work-Based Learning brochure.
• TCD on-site business models: All TCD students are given instruction in general economics and the specific economical aspects of their career choice. Students learn to understand and appreciate their role as valued employees in relation to the roles of others as well as the overall community's economy. One of the ways this is accomplished is through on-campus enterprises open to the public, such as Salon 301, the TCD Greenhouse, "A Child's World" Preschool, Bistro 301, among others.
  Click here for more information on TCD on-campus enterprises.

Hands-on Learning
The Individually Guided Learning System (IGLS)
The IGLS, TCD's unique learning system, allows students to learn at their own pace through a hands-on, instructor-guided plan based on goal achievement. The student and instructor develop the plan to meet the student's specific career objectives.
 As in a college or workplace setting, at TCD the student is expected to be responsible for completing goals, developing self-discipline, and managing time and tasks effectively. The major portion of the student's time is spent in direct self-study and practice, supervised by instructional staff members who provide assistance when necessary.

College and Career Exploration

• Career Exploration - Every incoming TCD student takes the Kuder career assessment, which identifies the student's career interests, abilities, and work values (motivation). The results may confirm the student's program choice or reveal a broader range of possible suitable career paths. In addition, students further explore their career interests through research projects, field trips, guest speakers, work-based learning experiences, competitions, and other activities.
• TCD College and Career Fair – This annual November event helps students, parents, and guidance counselors identify post-secondary programs through which students may continue their education in their chosen field.

Scholarship Opportunities
Through TCD, students have the opportunity to learn about and apply for scholarships specific to their career interest. Industry and post-secondary schools may award scholarships or grants for successful completion of curriculum or for achievement at regional, state, and national competitions. Some organizations, most notably Rotary International, offer scholarships particularly to CTE students.
In TCD's Learning Resource Center, staff members are available to assist students in the scholarship search and application process. Over the past four years, TCD seniors have been awarded over $2 million in scholarships.