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Electives

Electives Department

Student Career Center and CTE Resources

Elective Courses

  • Illustration of a child's head with plants and water droplets, symbolizing growth.Civics: For those of you who have interest in history and our government, this elective will further explore our political system.

    Ethnic Studies: Explores the history, culture, and experiences of different ethnic and racial groups

    Psychology A/B: Self-knowledge is the key to self-improvement. Psychology is related to the study of the human mind and human behavior.

    Sociology: Sociology is the study of groups of people (ie. trends, demographics).

    World Religions: Study the world's major religions and their historical impact

    Intro to Philosophy: Learn the evolution of philosophy about the times, lives, and intellectual contributions of essential philosophers.

    Intro to Anthropology: Students will also learn about social institutions, such as marriage, economy, religion, and polity

  • A cartoon image of a steaming pot of food with a heart on the front.Culinary Arts 1/2/3 (two options)/4: Become a food expert by exploring food culture, safety, trends, prep, sanitation, meal prep, and presentation.

    Hospitality 1/2/3/4: Learn all about food including its history, safety, and current trends as well as the hotel, restaurant, and cruise ship industries.

  • A colorful stacking toy with rounded rings sits inside a white circle.Child Development 1/2/3/4 : Explore child development from birth to age five, including health, safety, parenting, childcare careers, and settings.

    Education 1/2/3/4: Learn how to create fun and educational environments for children and how to encourage their health and well-being.

  • A dancer in a red dress performs a graceful move within a circle.Spanish 1/2/3: Learn to speak, read, write, and listen in Spanish

  • Illustrated thumbs up and heart as chat message bubblesEntrepreneurship A/B: Want to start your own business? Learn about marketing fundamentals, managing customers, and management concepts.

    Intro to Social Media: In this course, you'll learn the ins and outs of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and more.

  • A doctor listens to a patient's heart with a stethoscope, with a heart symbol above.Biotechnology: Explore the cutting-edge of life science through hands-on biotechnology techniques and applications.

    Exercise Science: Learn about good nutrition habits and how to take care of yourself.

    Health: Topics include nutrition and fitness, disease and injury, development and sexuality, substance abuse, and mental and community health.

    Exploring Health Science A/B: Explore the exciting world of health science and discover its diverse career fields.

    Rehabilitation Careers: Discover rewarding rehabilitation careers helping people regain function and independence through various therapies.

    Health Info Management: Learn to organize, manage, and protect vital health information for effective and compliant healthcare operations.

    Emergency Med Tech A/B: Examine the history, components, and operational standards of EMS and explore related career pathways.

  • A person works on a laptop, sitting on a stack of coins, with a calculator nearby.International Business: Explore global trade, economic systems and conducting business internationally.

    Manufacturing: Learn various manufacturing processes, concepts, and systems, and the various career paths available in manufacturing

    Consumer Math A/B: Use your basic math skills and apply them to real life situations such as buying a car, budgeting, investing, paying taxes, etc.

  • A cartoon image of a desktop computer with a mountain landscape on the screen.Artificial Intelligence A/B: Learn about the history of artificial intelligence and how it is used for problem-solving and robotics.

    Computer Literacy A/B: Learn basic computer skills and general computer knowledge so you are computer-prepared for college or your first job.

    Digital Citizenship: Discover what it means to be a responsible digital citizen, expand your digital literacy and become a successful online student.

    Intro to Cybersecurity: Learn about computer security, VPN and wireless security, risk management, and laws, standards, and ethics of cybersecurity.

    Security Fundamentals A/B: Explore the basics of protecting digital systems, networks, and data from cyber threats and attacks.

  • A graphic of a yellow triangle ruler, pencil, and pen inside a circle.Architecture and Construction: Learn about the career opportunities in this sector. Covers structures and load, materials and costs, and much more.

    Engineering and Tech A/B: Topics include biotechnology, mechanics, and an overview of the overall engineering design process.

    Robotics A/B: Learn about the various concepts related to robotics and its evolution and applications.

  • A yellow smiling mask and a red sad mask inside a white circle.Art 1 A/B: Emphasizes the understanding of the elements of art and the principles of design that serve as a foundation for all works of art

    Cosmetology 1 & 2 A/B: Explore the art and science of cosmetology learning about techniques, safety protocols, and industry standards

    Game Development: Are you a gamer? Learn the ins and outs of game development and prepare for a career in the field.

    Graphic Design A/B: Learn the fundamentals of visual communication through graphic design and illustration, creating compelling images and layouts

    Intro to Fashion Design: Do you have a flair for fashion and creating innovative clothing designs? If so, the design industry might just be for you!

    Music Appreciation A/B: Love Music? Learn about elements of music and musical notations and explore the history and progression of music.

    Photography A/B: Master basic camera functions and composition by practicing people, landscape, and close-ups with your phone or camera.

    Theater, Arts, and Film A/B: Explores the art and history of performance and film, focusing on acting, production, and storytelling.

  • A brown gavel rests above a matching block, inside a white circle.Intro to Criminology: Topics of study include punishment for offenders, deterring criminal behavior, and eliminating injustice with peace.

    Intro to Forensic Science: Learn to process a crime scene, collect and preserve evidence, and analyze biological evidence.

    Principles of Law and Safety: Learn about criminal law, court procedures, and the role of law enforcement agencies, fire fighters and first responders.

    Intro to Military Careers: Explore diverse career paths within the military, learning about different branches, roles, and opportunities for service.

  • A rolled parchment scroll with handwritten text and a quill pen inside a circle.Creative Writing: Sharpen your skills as a creative writing by learning the basic structure and elements of different types or genres of writing.

    Gothic Literature: Study works like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, dual personalities, Edgar Allan Poe, Dracula and gothic conventions across time

    Mythology/Folklore: Learn about mythology and hear stories about the past and the folklore that has been passed down from generation to generation.

  • Illustration of two lab flasks, one with a plant growing inside.Intro to Astronomy: Study the solar system, planets, reasons for life on Earth, stars, the Milky Way, galaxies, cosmology, and space exploration.

    Intro to Marine Biology: Learn about marine animals and how they interact in their aquatic environment.

    Intro to Vet Science: Learn about animals and how to evaluate their health and determine effective treatments for infectious and noninfectious diseases.

    Green Energy A/B: Explore sustainable energy sources and technologies to address climate change and build a greener future.

    Earth Science A/B: Explores topics like the universe, solar system, weather, climate, plate tectonics and many more.

    Environmental Science A/B: Focuses on various factors about the ecosystem and the effects our population has on the environment.

    Forest and Wildlife Management A/B: Examines soil, mineral, plant, water, forest and wildlife management. Focuses on employment opportunities

    Agricultural Science and Business: Focuses on the role of agriculture and impacts on society but examining sustainable agriculture and mechanics.

    Natural Resources: Explores natural resources like air, water, minerals, energy sources, soil and land.

  • An illustration depicts career and education elements within a circle.Career Essential Skills: Learn the skills that the industry sectors feel are critical in being successful in the workforce.

    Career Explorations: Take a career assessment, learn about job interviewing and create a resume and budget.

High School Elective Courses

While many students enjoy particular subjects more than others, such as English or science, most students will agree that electives are their favorite classes. This rings true whether the student attends a traditional school or an online school like SDVS. Online elective courses in high school allow students to take courses on topics that interest them and get them excited about learning, like fashion design forensic science, or culinary arts. They give students a glimpse into the real world that doesn’t require academic papers, scientific research, and history projects, and they allow them to explore both hobbies and possible career fields for their future. Students are required a total of 70 credit hours of electives by the time they graduate, and this gives students ample opportunities to take fun and interesting classes as well as educational and beneficial courses that will prepare them for college.

BEST ONLINE ELECTIVE COURSES

When students ask us what the best online elective courses are in high school, we often tell them that it depends on them. Who they are, what they’re interested in, and what they want to do after graduation all play a role in determining the “best” online elective courses for any given student. Some of our most popular classes involve career preparation, real-world skills, and simply things that sound “fun.” Students love that we offer parenting classes, personal finance classes, social media classes, and nutrition and wellness classes. They also enjoy our career-related courses, such as cosmetology, early childhood education, personal psychology, interior design, finance, criminology, and web technology. Some others may consider the best classes to be the ones that are the most fun and interesting, such as app development, social issues or social problems, fashion design, and digital photography. There are so many more online elective courses for high school students and they all offer the students a great deal of valuable information and necessary skills.

When students enroll in online high school elective courses or any other online class, they gain abilities and independence that traditional students just don’t experience. Not only do they learn to work independently and with self-motivation and self-discipline, but they learn to take personal responsibility for their education, including their successes and shortcomings. Our students go on to become successful college graduates and well-respected employees and entrepreneurs, and many of them credit SDVS with giving them the confidence, skills, and tools to achieve their goals with overwhelming success. If you want to know more about our online high school elective courses or any other course offerings we have for middle school and high school students, contact San Diego Virtual School now and let us get started creating an amazing future for you.

Online Courses

Click here to view a list of all the available courses

ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIVE COURSES

While large traditional schools are often known for their unique elective offerings, online schools are often known for their lack of online elective courses. Thankfully, that is not the case at SDVS. Our list of online high school elective courses is huge and incredibly all-inclusive. You can see a full list by visiting our course offerings page and clicking “electives,” but here are just a few of the online elective courses available at SDVS: art history and appreciation, music appreciation, child development and parenting, sociology, psychology, construction, cosmetology, creative writing, culinary arts, digital photography, entrepreneurship, astronomy, marine biology, veterinary science, mythology and folklore, personal family finance, and social issues. Students may truly have a difficult time narrowing their choices down to just a few because there are so many excellent online elective courses available!

  • High School Elective Courses

    While many students enjoy particular subjects more than others, such as English or science, most students will agree that electives are their favorite classes. This rings true whether the student attends a traditional school or an online school like SDVS. Online elective courses in high school allow students to take courses on topics that interest them and get them excited about learning, like fashion design forensic science, or culinary arts. They give students a glimpse into the real world that doesn’t require academic papers, scientific research, and history projects, and they allow them to explore both hobbies and possible career fields for their future. Students are required a total of 70 credit hours of electives by the time they graduate, and this gives students ample opportunities to take fun and interesting classes as well as educational and beneficial courses that will prepare them for college.

    BEST ONLINE ELECTIVE COURSES

    When students ask us what the best online elective courses are in high school, we often tell them that it depends on them. Who they are, what they’re interested in, and what they want to do after graduation all play a role in determining the “best” online elective courses for any given student. Some of our most popular classes involve career preparation, real-world skills, and simply things that sound “fun.” Students love that we offer parenting classes, personal finance classes, social media classes, and nutrition and wellness classes. They also enjoy our career-related courses, such as cosmetology, early childhood education, personal psychology, interior design, finance, criminology, and web technology. Some others may consider the best classes to be the ones that are the most fun and interesting, such as app development, social issues or social problems, fashion design, and digital photography. There are so many more online elective courses for high school students and they all offer the students a great deal of valuable information and necessary skills.

    When students enroll in online high school elective courses or any other online class, they gain abilities and independence that traditional students just don’t experience. Not only do they learn to work independently and with self-motivation and self-discipline, but they learn to take personal responsibility for their education, including their successes and shortcomings. Our students go on to become successful college graduates and well-respected employees and entrepreneurs, and many of them credit SDVS with giving them the confidence, skills, and tools to achieve their goals with overwhelming success. If you want to know more about our online high school elective courses or any other course offerings we have for middle school and high school students, contact San Diego Virtual School now and let us get started creating an amazing future for you.

    Online Courses

    Click here to view a list of all the available courses

    ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL ELECTIVE COURSES

    While large traditional schools are often known for their unique elective offerings, online schools are often known for their lack of online elective courses. Thankfully, that is not the case at SDVS. Our list of online high school elective courses is huge and incredibly all-inclusive. You can see a full list by visiting our course offerings page and clicking “electives,” but here are just a few of the online elective courses available at SDVS: art history and appreciation, music appreciation, child development and parenting, sociology, psychology, construction, cosmetology, creative writing, culinary arts, digital photography, entrepreneurship, astronomy, marine biology, veterinary science, mythology and folklore, personal family finance, and social issues. Students may truly have a difficult time narrowing their choices down to just a few because there are so many excellent online elective courses available!