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Health science career and technical education, or CTE, clusters in Alvin, Friendswood and Pearland ISDs provide early exposure to health care careers, with programs that allow students to earn certifications for post-secondary education and entry-level healthcare roles.
The overview
Across the districts, students begin with foundational health science courses, including principles of health science and medical terminology, before advancing into more specialized coursework.
Diving in deeper
PISD provides several health science programs, including emergency medical technician and medical billing and coding. In the 2025-26 school year, nearly 320 students earned certifications across all programs.
AISD offers a diagnostic and therapeutic services program that introduces students to clinical skills focused on patient care and treatment-related career pathways. For the 2025-26 school year, nearly 1,270 students were enrolled in a health science course, making it the district’s largest CTE cluster.
FISD offers programs in both biomedical sciences and diagnostic and therapeutic services. Students will have the opportunity to earn certifications, including dental assistant, pharmacy technician and medical office/insurance specialist, through a partnership with the College of the Mainland beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
Quote of note
“These experiences help students develop professional skills, build industry connections and gain a deeper understanding of various healthcare pathways while increasing their confidence and readiness for post-secondary education and future careers in the healthcare industry,” said Lexi Kopp, FISD’s executive director of CTE and community partnerships.
