Course of study statement examples

By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated November 1, 2026

Short answer

A course of study is the multi-year set of classes and learning experiences the student will take to reach their postsecondary goals. A strong statement names the diploma path, the key courses by year and why they fit the goal. Example: college prep diploma with biology, chemistry and anatomy, plus a health science CTE pathway, to prepare for a nursing program.

The transition plan must include the transition services, "including courses of study," that the student needs to reach the postsecondary goals.^[1] The course of study is the school's half of the bargain. If the postsecondary goal is a two-year nursing degree and the course of study is "general high school classes," the plan does not hold together.

Below are 12 annotated examples across the most common paths, a table of weak and strong versions, and the questions to ask before you write one. Names and course titles are fictional and vary by school. For where the course of study sits in the whole plan, see transition planning in the IEP and the annotated transition plan example.

What a course of study statement includes

States and districts use different formats. Some ask for a short paragraph, some for a year-by-year course list, some for both. Whatever the form, a strong one covers five things:

Diploma or exit path. Standard diploma, an advanced diploma, an alternate diploma or certificate where your state has one, or continued services to 21. See diploma options.
Key courses tied to the goal. Not every class. The ones that matter for the postsecondary goals.
Electives, CTE and work-based learning. These often carry the most transition weight.
Timeline. The year each key piece happens, so the team can check progress.
Expected exit year. It sets the clock for agency referrals and the summary of performance.

Update it every year. A course of study written at 14 and never changed is a common audit finding.

Course of study examples by path

Each example has a short note on what makes it strong.

Four-year college

1. Engineering goal. "Maya is on the standard diploma track with a planned exit in June 2029. She will complete 4 years of math through precalculus, physics and chemistry, and the 3-course engineering design CTE sequence (grades 10 to 12). In grade 12 she will take one dual enrollment course at the community college to practice using college accommodations."

Strong because the math and science match engineering admission needs, and the dual enrollment course has a stated purpose beyond credit.

2. Undecided, college-bound. "Jordan is on the standard diploma track, exit June 2028. Core courses meet state university admission requirements, including 2 years of world language. Electives rotate through psychology, digital media and business in grades 10 and 11 to narrow his interests before senior year."

Strong because it admits the goal is still forming and builds exploration into the schedule.

Two-year college or certificate program

3. Nursing assistant to nursing. "Priya will earn a standard diploma in June 2028. She will take biology, anatomy and physiology, and the health science pathway, including the certified nursing assistant course in grade 12. She will take the college placement test in spring of grade 11 with her approved accommodations."

Strong because it lists a credential she can work under while in college, and it schedules the placement test.

4. Automotive technology. "Marcus will complete a standard diploma with the 3-year automotive technology CTE program at the regional career center (grades 10 to 12), applied math, and technical writing. His grade 12 internship at a dealership service department is part of the program."

Strong because every key course points at the job, and the internship is named.

Apprenticeship, trade or military

5. Electrical apprenticeship. "Diego will earn a standard diploma in June 2029, with algebra 2 and physics (required by the local apprenticeship program), the construction trades pathway, and a pre-apprenticeship course in grade 12."

Strong because it checks an actual entry requirement of the training program.

6. Military. "Kayla is on the standard diploma track. Her course of study includes 4 years of JROTC, physical education each year, and a test-prep elective for the military entrance exam in grade 11."

Strong because it prepares for the entry test, not just the interest.

Employment right after high school

7. Retail employment. "Theo will earn a standard diploma in June 2028. Along with core classes, he will take the business and marketing pathway, run the school store (grades 10 and 11), and complete a 10-hour-per-week cooperative work placement in grade 12."

Strong because the hours and the placement are concrete.

8. Food service. "Lina will complete her state's diploma path for students with significant cognitive disabilities, with an exit in June 2029. Her course of study includes functional reading and math, culinary arts (2 years), and community-based work experience in the school cafeteria and a local restaurant."

Strong because the functional academics support the job, and the work experience moves from school to community.

Programs to age 21

9. 18 to 21 program, supported employment. "After completing 4 years of high school coursework, Sam will continue in the district's 18 to 21 transition program through June 2031. The program includes 3 rotating community job sites a year, travel training and an independent living course."

Strong because it states the end date and what the extra years add.

10. Significant support needs. "Ellie will receive instruction in functional communication, self-care and community participation in the life skills program, with daily inclusion in art, music and PE. From age 18 she will attend the community-based program through June 2030, with day program visits in the final year."

Strong because it names the adult setting the program prepares her for.

Other common situations

11. Credit recovery. "Andre is 2 credits behind. His course of study adds online credit recovery for English 10 and algebra 1 in summer 2027, so he can graduate with his class in June 2028 and enter the welding program."

Strong because the credit gap and the fix are both stated.

12. Middle school (age 14 start). "In grade 8, Ava will plan her high school courses with her counselor. Her 4-year plan includes the standard diploma, the early childhood education pathway starting in grade 10, and a volunteer job at an after-school program in grade 9."

Strong because it starts the plan before high school begins. A template for having the student plan high school courses in eighth grade turns this into a goal.

Weak and strong versions side by side

Weak	Strong	What changed
"General education courses."	"Standard diploma, exit June 2028; biology, anatomy and the health science pathway."	Named courses linked to the goal
"Student will take required classes to graduate."	"Student is 2 credits behind; online credit recovery in summer 2027 keeps graduation on track."	Real credit data
"Life skills curriculum."	"Functional math and reading, culinary arts 2 years, community job sites in grades 11 and 12."	Specific courses and work experience
"Continue in high school."	"18 to 21 program through June 2031 with 3 job rotations a year and travel training."	End date and what the years add

Questions to answer before you write

What are the student's postsecondary goals for education or training and for employment?
Which diploma is the student on, and what does that diploma allow after high school? Some state alternate diplomas do not meet college or military entry rules, so families need this in writing.
Which courses does the training or job actually require?
Where will the student get real work experience?
When will the student exit, and has the family agreed to that date?

Teach the student to answer these too. Templates such as connect own courses to postsecondary goals, check own credits toward graduation and explain own diploma path make that measurable. You will find more on the transition goal page. The course of study glossary entry is a short version for families.

The OSERS transition guide treats course selection as part of preparing for postsecondary education and employment.^[2] For the postsecondary goals each course of study supports, see postsecondary goals examples.

Frequently asked questions

Is a course of study the same as a four-year plan?

They overlap. A four-year plan lists every class to graduate. A course of study focuses on the courses and experiences that move the student toward the postsecondary goals, and it must be in the IEP transition plan. Many teams attach the four-year plan and summarize the key courses in the statement.

Does a course of study have to list every class?

No. Federal rules require courses of study as part of transition services but do not set a format. Some states ask for a year-by-year list. Most teams name the diploma path, the key courses and work experiences tied to the goals, and the expected exit date.

How often should the course of study be updated?

Every year, along with the postsecondary goals and transition services. Update it sooner if the student changes a pathway, falls behind on credits or changes diploma track.

Use it in IEP Atlas

Sources

34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
A Transition Guide to Postsecondary Education and Employment for Students and Youth with Disabilities (August 2020), U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.