Self-Paced Career & Technical Education (CTE) Courses for Grades 6–12

69 self-paced online courses across 12 career fields, for students in grades 6 through 12. Thirty of the courses prepare students for a named industry certification. Offered by our sister school, EdQuill Academy. Start any day; no cohort dates.

What CTE is, and why start in middle or high school

Career and Technical Education (CTE) means courses in specific career fields — coding, healthcare, finance, design, construction, and so on — that give students both the concepts and the practical skills employers actually look for. Starting in middle school lets a student sample fields before committing to any one; starting in high school lets them build depth in a field they already like and, in many cases, sit an industry certification exam that carries weight on a résumé or a college application.

The 69 courses in this catalog are self-paced, so a student can fit them around school, sports and life at home. Because they are online, they are open to families in Edison, Woodbridge, Iselin, Metuchen, Highland Park, and anywhere else in Middlesex County and beyond.

The 12 career clusters

Good starting points by grade

Grades 6–8: pick a direction

• Career Exploration — a broad survey that helps a student see which fields spark real interest, before high school course selection.
• Career & College Exploration — pairs career fields with the college paths that lead to them.
• Robotics: Applications & Careers — a friendly on-ramp to the whole engineering side of the catalog.

Grades 9–12: build depth

• Cybersecurity — the most oversubscribed field on campus and one of the strongest job markets.
• Health Science Foundations — a natural start for students interested in nursing, allied health or pre-med.
• Personal Finance — high value for every student, regardless of major.
• Adobe Photoshop — pairs with a genuine industry credential and looks good on a portfolio.

Certifications students can work toward

Thirty of the 69 courses are aligned to a named industry certification. Notable examples include:

• Adobe Certified Professional (Photoshop, Illustrator and other tools)
• Microsoft Office Specialist (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Autodesk Certified User — AutoCAD
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (drone)
• LEED Green Associate
• Intuit QuickBooks Certified User
• Oracle Certified Associate — Java
• PMI Project Management Ready

Certification exams are administered and priced by the certifying bodies themselves, not by EdQuill Academy or PALS. Course tuition covers the preparation.

How it works and what it costs

Each course is $129 as a single payment. No subscription; no recurring charge. A student can enroll on any day of the year and start immediately. Most courses have 6 to 24 modules; a student who spends a few hours a week typically finishes in a semester, though there is no time limit imposed.

Families use the courses in three main ways: as enrichment alongside a full school schedule, for credit recovery when a student has fallen behind in a subject, and as homeschool credit. Whether a course counts for school credit is decided by the student’s school district, not by us — please confirm with the school before enrolling with credit expectations.

How it fits with PALS in Edison

The self-paced format works well alongside our in-center tutoring in Math, English, SAT and AP subjects at 157 Wood Ave. Families often use the CTE courses to explore an interest while our tutors keep core grades steady. If you would like help picking a course — matching it to a specific college path, a career interest, or an available certification — book an appointment and one of our team will walk you through the options.

Frequently asked questions

Are the courses accredited?

The courses are not offered by an accredited school district. Whether a completed course counts for high school credit depends on the family’s school district — some accept them for elective or homeschool credit; others do not. The industry certifications that some courses prepare for (Adobe, Microsoft, Autodesk, and so on) are recognised by the industry regardless of any school credit.

How long does a course take?

Between 6 and 24 modules, depending on the course. Most students who spend two to four hours a week finish in a semester. There is no deadline — a slower pace is fine.

Is there any live support?

The catalog is self-paced. If a family wants live sessions, EdQuill Academy also offers scheduled live CTE courses at edquillacademy.com/cte/live. Families in Edison can also come into our learning center to work on their course alongside our tutors during regular hours.

Which course is a good first choice?

For middle-schoolers, “Career Exploration” gives the widest view before choosing a direction. For high-schoolers, “Personal Finance” delivers value for any career, and “Cybersecurity” or “Health Science Foundations” are good starting points for students who already know they lean toward tech or medicine. Book an appointment and we will help match your child to the right course.

Do I have to pick just one course?

Not at all. Many students take one course at a time and add another after they finish. Because there is no subscription, you only pay for courses you actually enroll in.

Ready to explore?