Business, Marketing, and Finance Career Cluster

Revised June 2024

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. This career cluster includes occupations ranging from business owner and entrepreneur to accountant, retail manager, and market analyst.

Statewide Program of Study: Business Management

The Business Management program of study focuses on occupational and educational opportunities associated with planning, directing, and coordinating the administrative services and operations of an organization. It includes formulating policies, managing daily operations, and allocating the use of materials and human resources. This program of study also introduces students to mathematical model tools and organizational evaluation methods.

Secondary Courses for High School Credit

• Level 1:
  • Principles of Business, Marketing, and Finance
  • Business Information Management I
• Level 2: Business Information Management II
• Level 3: Business Management
• Level 4: Practicum in Business Management

Aligned Advanced Academic Courses

• AP Statistics

Students should consult a counselor to consider these course opportunities to enrich their preparation. AP or IB courses not listed under the Secondary Courses for High School Credit section of this framework document do not count toward concentrator or completer status for this program of study.

Work-Based Learning and Expanded Learning Opportunities

Work-Based Learning Activities

• Intern at a local business in the human resources department
• Shadow the chief operating officer of a local business or chamber of commerce

Expanded Learning Opportunities

• Participate in DECA
• Explore student membership in related professional organizations

Example Postsecondary Opportunities

Associate Degrees

• Business Administration and Management
• Human Resources Management

Bachelor’s Degrees

• Business Analytics
• Accounting and Business

Master’s, Doctoral, and Professional Degrees

• Business Administration and Management
• Organizational Leadership

Additional Stackable Certificates/Licenses

• Professional Certificate in Team Leadership
• Property Tax Professionals

Example Aligned Occupations

First-Line Supervisors of Administrative Support Workers

• Median Wage: $59,585
• Annual Openings: 13,885
• 10-Year Growth: 9%

Human Resources Specialists

• Median Wage: $61,278
• Annual Openings: 6,239
• 10-Year Growth: 23%

General and Operations Managers

• Median Wage: $83,220
• Annual Openings: 25,450
• 10-Year Growth: 23%

Aligned Industry-Based Certifications Offered in LCISD

• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Excel Expert (Excel 2019)
• Microsoft Office Specialist: Microsoft Word Expert (Word 2019)
• NOCTI General Management

Additional Information

Successful completion of the Business Management program of study fulfills requirements of the Business and Industry endorsement.

Data Source: TexasWages, Texas Workforce Commission (Retrieved March 8, 2024)

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/programs-of-study