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Law & PublicService

The high school Law and Public Service CTE Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing, and providing legal services, public safety, protective services, and homeland security, including professional and technical support services. CTE students will examine the roles and responsibilities of police, courts, corrections, private security, and fire and emergency services.

Law & Public Service
Answering the call

pathway 01

Emergency Services

The Emergency Services program of study focuses on training high school CTE learners to respond to emergency situations, such as medical emergencies and fire-based emergencies. CTE students will learn how to prevent emergencies, respond appropriately and in accordance with rules and regulations during crises, and investigate and delineate the source of the emergency.

Work-Based Learning

  • Attend local emergency awareness events
  • Join the Texas Public Service Association
  • Volunteer at a hospital or a fire station

High School Certifications

  • Basic Structure Fire Protection
  • Emergency Medical Responder
  • Emergency Medical Technician - Basic
  • IAED Emergency Telecommunicator

Emergency Services Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Firefighters$50,149
Fire Inspectors and Investigators$54,787
Emergency Medical Technicians$34,091
Download the Emergency Services guide ↓

pathway 02

Government and Public Administration

The high school Government and Public Administration CTE program of study explores the occupations and educational opportunities associated with examining, evaluating, and investigating conformity with laws and regulations. This program of study will also explore the opportunities related to developing comprehensive plans and programs for use of land and physical facilities of jurisdictions, such as towns, cities, counties, and metropolitan areas.

Work-Based Learning

  • Attend local council and board meetings
  • Join the Texas Public Service Association
  • Intern with a legislator or city official
  • Develop and present a solution for an identified problem

Government and Public Administration Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Tax Examiners and Collectors, Revenue Agents$47,445
Financial Examiners$76,731
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate$54,496
Financial Analysts$79,414
Financial Specialists$67,995
Download the Government and Public Administration guide ↓

pathway 03

Law Enforcement

The Emergency Services program of study focuses on training high school CTE learners to respond to emergency situations, such as medical emergencies and fire-based emergencies. CTE students will learn how to prevent emergencies, respond appropriately and in accordance with rules and regulations during crises, and investigate and delineate the source of the emergency.

Work-Based Learning

  • Join the Texas Public Service Association or local criminal justice clubs
  • Attend court hearings and other legal procedures

High School Certifications

  • Non-Commissioned Security Officer Level II License
  • IAED Emergency Telecommunicator

Law Enforcement Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$60,112
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Officers$44,050
Correctional Officers and Jailers$40,186
Immigration and Customs Inspectors$78,104
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$91,312
Download the Law Enforcement guide ↓

pathway 04

Legal Studies

The Legal Studies program of study introduces CTE learners to the occupations and educational opportunities related to representing clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, as well as assisting lawyers and preparing legal documents. This program of study explores possible specializations in a single area of law.

Work-Based Learning

  • Attend court hearings and other legal procedures
  • Join the Texas Public Service Association
  • Intern with a local attorney
  • Script and conduct a mock trial

Legal Studies Salary Information

OccupationAverage Salary ↕
Lawyers$126,131
Paralegal and Legal Assistants$50,544
Download the Legal Studies guide ↓
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