The term “career education” means organized educational programs offering a sequence of courses which are directly related to the preparation of individuals in paid or unpaid employment in current or emerging occupations requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degrees, and shall include vocational and occupational education. Such programs shall include competency-based applied learning which contributes to an individual’s academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning, and problem solving skills, work activities, general employability skills, and the skills necessary for economic independence as a productive and contributing member of society. Such term also includes applied technology education. Except where the intent indicates otherwise, the terms “vocational education” and “occupational education” shall mean “career education.”
