International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme

What does the International Baccalaureate (IB) offer?

The International Baccalaureate (IB) programme focuses on developing globally aware, well-rounded students who are encouraged to think independently and drive their own learning, responding to challenges with optimism and an open mind.

What is the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP)?

The IB Career-related Programme (CP) at Plymouth Whitemarsh High School (PWHS) offers academic study and practical hands-on experience through an integrated curriculum, consisting of core IB study, taken alongside one of the three career-related pathways: Business, Design Technology, or Art. 

The three components of the IBCP framework are:

1. The Career-related Study

Students will select a career pathway of interest in one of the following areas: 

• Business Pathway: 

  • Introduction to Business > Marketing > H Marketing 2 (11th grade) > C Entrepreneurship (12th grade) 
  • Introduction to Business > Accounting 1> H Accounting 2 (11th grade) > C Entrepreneurship (12th grade)
     

• Art Pathway:

  • Art Studio 1 > Art Studio 2 or Art Major 2 (11th grade) >Advance Placement Drawing (12th grade)
  • Photography 1 > Photography 2 or H Photo Major (11th grade) > Advance Placement 2D and Design (12th grade)
     

• Design Technology Pathway: 

  • Product Design 1 > H Product Design 2 (11th grade) > C Innovation Studio (12th grade)
  • CADD 1 > H CADD 2 (11th grade) > C Innovation Studio (12th grade)
  • Robotics 1: Design, Build and Program > H Robotics 2 (11th grade) > C Innovation Studio (12th grade)
  • Architecture 1 > H Architecture 2 (11th grade) > C Innovation Studio (12th grade)

2. Academic Study

As part of the CP, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School students are required to complete two approved IB courses; 

• IB Social and Cultural Anthropology SL (SaCA) 

Social and Cultural Anthropology is the comparative study of culture and human societies with the ultimate goal of understanding humankind in all its diversity. In studying this course, students will come to appreciate how anthropology as a discipline contributes to an understanding of contemporary issues, such as war and conflict, the environment, poverty, injustice, inequality and human and cultural rights. The study of social and cultural anthropology offers critical insight into the continuities as well as dynamics of social change and the development of societies, and challenges cultural assumptions.

• IB Math Analysis and Approaches SL - Semester 1/Semester 2***

In the course Analysis and Approaches, students will understand the value of systematic approaches, analyze complex real-world contexts, communicate concisely and precisely implications of mathematic conclusions. The course encourages the development of strong written, verbal, and graphical communication skills, critical and complex thinking, and moral and ethical considerations influenced by mathematics that will assist students in preparing for the future global workplace.

(*prerequisite, **11th grade, ***12th grade, ****11th and 12th grade) 

3. Programme Core

The IBCP’s core is what defines the programme and makes it unique.

• IB Personal and Professional Skills (PPS)
  The Personal and Professional Skills course emphasizes the development of a range of skills that can be applied in a variety of contexts to support students’ personal and professional growth both now and in the future.  Through the development of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills, critical and ethical thinking and intercultural understanding, the course supports students learning in the other core components (Language and Cultural Studies, Community Engagement and a Reflective Project), and will serve as the basis for success in an ever changing global society.  
   
• Language and Cultural Studies (LCS)
  Language and cultural studies invites students to better understand and expand their own language and cultural repertoires, and imagine how they could further engage with a range of linguistic and cultural groups. LCS fosters conceptual understanding by enabling students to engage in inquiry and consider broad questions about language, culture, identity, meaning and interrelationships. This core component enables students to set individual  goals that reflect their personal, academic and professional needs.
   
• Reflective Project (RP)
  The reflective project is an in-depth body of work where students identify, analyze, critically discuss and evaluate an ethical issue arising from their career-related subject area. The reflective project is intended to promote high-level research, writing and communication skills, intellectual discovery and creativity. Students gain the opportunity to think like a future career practitioner while engaging in this multi-year research and exploration process. 
   
• Community Engagement (CE)
  Community engagement offers opportunities for students to learn in, from and with communities as well as to apply knowledge and skills acquired in other areas of learning.  It invites students to situate themselves in the context of community and to identify, explore and understand issues that are relevant to them and to engage with them to make a positive impact.  Further, students learn strategies to develop skills in dialogue, reciprocity, reflection and reflectivity.  

Am I an IBCP student? Is this the right path for me? 

At the heart of IBCP is the IB Learner Profile. The ideal IB learner is knowledgeable, reflective, principled, balanced, open-minded, caring and a thinker, a communicator, an inquirer and a risk-taker. Students considering the IBCP at PWHS must be interested in one of the identified career-related pathways and agree to take the necessary assessments associated with the certificate program.

Students must submit an application for consideration and should visit their counselor for additional details and timeline or reach out to Mrs. Duffy, IBCP Coordinator, for additional details. Call 610-825-1500, ext. 1937, or click here to send Mrs. Duffy an email.  

Sample Student Schedule

Courses with an asterisk represent courses in the IB program.

Grade Level	11th Grade	11th Grade	12th Grade	12th Grade
Semester	Semester 1	Semester 2	Semester 1	Semester 2
Block 1	Integrated Math 5	IB Pre Calc*	IB SL Math A & A1*	IB SL Math A & A2*
Block 2	PPS 11/IB Social and Cultural Anthropology 11 (full year)*	PPS 11/IB Social and Cultural Anthropology 11 (full year)*	PPS 11/IB Social and Cultural Anthropology 12 (full year)*	PPS 11/IB Social and Cultural Anthropology 12 (full year)*
Block 3	Elective	Elective	Elective	Elective
Block 4	World Cultures/H Western Civilization	Career-related Study Course*	US Government AP US Government	Career-related Study Course*
Block 5	English 4 H English 4	Elective	English 5 H English 5	Elective

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