Academic & Career Pathways
New Hampshire Scholars offers an extension of the Core Course Study through our Academic and Career Pathways. Pathways offer a roadmap to additional coursework and training in key fields. Students in any of these pathways must successfully complete the Core Course of Study as well as the pathway courses.
Pathways are available in several academic areas, including STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), Arts, and STEAM (STEM + Arts). Students may also choose the Career Pathway, which offers work experience and/or technical training.
Academic and Career Pathways add to students’ credentials and open scholarship, work, and other opportunities. For example, some scholarships are open specifically to New Hampshire Scholars in certain pathways. Moreover, some colleges and universities may require these course additions or count them in determining merit aid.

STEM Pathway
The STEM Pathway requires at least one year of STEM coursework in addition to the Core Course of Study. Individual schools and districts are responsible for identifying specific classes that qualify. The courses listed here are examples.
Minimum GPA: 3.2
STEM PATHWAY
FIELDS:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
COURSES:
Chosen from Technology, Engineering, Computers, Advanced Manufacturing, Science, Math, CTE, Project Lead the Way, Family Consumer Science, and others as approved by individual schools
YEARS:
1 or more, in addition to Core Course of Study requirements
Arts Pathway
The Arts Pathway requires at least two years of coursework in visual, performing, or other arts in addition to the Core Course of Study. Individual schools and districts are responsible for identifying specific classes that qualify. The courses listed here are examples.
Minimum GPA: 3.2
ARTS PATHWAY
FIELDS: Visual, performing, or other Arts
COURSES:
Chosen from Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Music, Graphic Design, Family Consumer Science, and others as approved by individual schools
YEARS:
2 or more, in addition to Core Course of Study requirements
STEAM Pathway
The STEAM Pathway combines the STEM and Arts Pathways. It requires at least one year of STEM and two years of arts coursework in addition to the Core Course of Study. As with the other pathways, individual schools/districts will identify qualifying classes. The courses listed here are examples.
STEM PATHWAY
FIELDS:
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
COURSES:
Chosen from Technology, Engineering, Computers, Advanced Manufacturing, Science, Math, CTE, Family Consumer Science, and others as approved by individual schools
YEARS:
1 or more
ARTS PATHWAY
FIELDS:
Visual, performing, or other Arts
COURSES:
Chosen from Visual Arts, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Music, Graphic Design, Family Consumer Science, and others as approved by individual schools
YEARS:
2 or more
Career Pathway
The Career Pathway guides students in preparing to enter the workforce or technical education. The focus is on developing work-related skills and experience to help students evaluate career options and build credentials.
Note that schools/districts will determine the specific courses and experiences that qualify for this pathway.
CAREER PATHWAY
As with the other pathways, students in the Career Pathway must also complete the Core Course of Study. Following are requirements for completing the Career Pathway:
- One career credit.
- One work-based learning experience.
- Earned college credits, industry-recognized certificate, or post-secondary hours.