Nevada State High School provides many options for students to get ahead of their peers with early college opportunities. Many students at NSHS are on their way to graduating from high school with their associates degree on a pathway to transferring to a four-year institution and obtaining their bachelors. However, other options exist while attending NSHS such as the associate of applied science, certificates of achievement, and skills certificates. All of these options are aligned to industry recognized skills and lead to credentials valued by employers in their associated career fields.
Students In Action
One student from the NSHS Meadowwood campus, Zachary Hearne, serves as a great example of a student taking advantage of all the options available to them. Over the summer, Zachary enrolled in a six-credit hour course at Truckee Meadows Community College to become a certified nursing assistant. This fall semester, he is taking another six units to obtain his skills certificate in phlebotomy. These two skills certificates are credentials valued by the health care industry and will allow Zachary to work in the field while continuing his education in pre-medicine on a path to becoming a surgeon. It will also provide him with valuable experience in a health care setting, allowing him to learn and apply skills, receive mentorship, and network in a field in which he hopes to continue to advance. He is currently completing his phlebotomy clinical practicum at a Reno health care facility, applying his classroom training by performing venipunctures in the field.
Degree and Certificate Options
The various degree and certificate options offered by the NSHE institutions is something for NSHS students to consider as they begin degree planning next month. Many of these options are aligned to a variety of career fields including automotive, health sciences, computer and information technology, manufacturing, business administration, architecture and construction, welding, HVAC, education and public safety. The associate of applied science degree requires students take at least 60 credit hours split amongst general education courses and a focus on career skills and training. Certificates of achievement and skills certificates focus on those career skills and can lead to industry recognized credentials. Certificates usually require less credit hours the associate degrees ranging anywhere from six credit hours to just over 40, depending on the program of study.
Degree Planning at NSHS
As students at NSHS begin to degree plan and research colleges and career pathways, it is important to research and consider all options available. Students can also meet with NSHS Career Education Coordinator, Zachary Heit. Mr. Heit is currently presenting at social events on career readiness, in-demand occupations, and internships. He will start hosting office hours at various NSHS sites throughout November. His schedule is currently posted to the Moodle homepage and appointments can be made to discuss academic plans, degree options, and career pathways.
Current and prospective students can complete career and technical education college coursework enroute to degrees and certificates through dual enrollment at Nevada State High School.
Interested in learning more? Join us for an Open House or schedule an appointment with the Career Education Coordinator.
Applications for Spring 2022 open on November 1, 2021! Apply at earlycollegenv.com.