SOAR is the PA Department of Education career and technical educational plan that aligns, through articulation agreements, the secondary career and technical programs to a postsecondary diploma, credential or associate degree. SOAR programs lead students into career pathways that are in high demand by employers, have higher skill needs, and are most likely to provide family sustaining wages. The mission of SOAR, which stands for Students Occupationally and Academically Ready, is to prepare students for college and careers in a diverse, high-performing workforce.

A SOAR program offers many benefits. You will:

• Get a head start and complete your college requirements sooner.
• Earn an industry-recognized certification.
• Be better prepared to start your career or post-secondary education.
• Save money on future tuition costs —you will be earning credits while in high school or CTC.
• Earn credits that can transfer statewide. There are 40 post-secondary institutions accepting SOAR program credits.

• Earn a high school diploma.
• Achieve a minimum 2.75 GPA in your Career and Technical Education program (shop).
• Achieve competent or advanced level on the NOCTI.
• Achieve proficiency on tasks in the approved task list.
• Submit proof that you have met the requirements for the SOAR credit. You can submit proof to:
  Megan Wert, Career & Technical Education Coordinator
  mmwert@hacc.edu
  717-780-3219
   

Articulation is an agreement between two schools. Technical high schools and high schools with Career and Technical programs work with colleges and post-secondary schools. They compare the curriculum and tasks at the high school level. When the high school curriculum matches introductory college courses, the college accepts the credits. It is similar to advanced placement.

You must provide the following documentation, if applicable: 

• High school diploma 
• Official student transcript 
• Secondary competency task list. Make sure your secondary-school technical instructor signs it. 
• PA Certificate of Competency or PA Skills Certificate from technical program area
• Earned industry certifications

Student Documentation Coversheet for Programs of Study Articulation Agreements (pdf) 
 

Notify your guidance counselor to submit the documentation. Your guidance counselor will provide assistance.

Your awarded credits are CTE-program specific. The amount varies among the partnering post-secondary institutions.

See collegetransfer.net to find the amount of credits available for each SOAR program from multiple colleges, including HACC. 

You must complete all the tasks listed on the Secondary Competency Task List to industry proficiency level. You will qualify for the course credits once you complete these tasks.  

You must complete all tasks —we will not award partial credits.  

 

Your credits will expire 16 months from your graduation date. You must apply and enroll into the related CTE program at a partnering post-secondary institution in order to receive credit.

• View more information online at www.education.state.pa.us
• Visit the Career Resource Center
• Visit the Pennsylvania Career Zone
• Visit PA Career Standards   
• View SOAR programs offered at HACC (Collegetransfer.net)
• View a list of institutions accepting SOAR credits
• View types of transfer credits
• Visit the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)

For more information, please contact:

Megan Wert, Career & Technical Education Coordinator
mmwert@hacc.edu
717-780-3219