Major Classes
There are three major classes of training available to characters. Each class has specialties that trainees will eventually pick after they complete basic training. Training in a specialty typically continues until the trainee reaches their majority or they've mastered all of the abilities in that specialty. There are also prestige classes that adults can pursue once they've mastered their specialty.
Warriors
Warriors are fighters: scouts, hunters, guards, and military types. There are four specialty classes: barbarian, fighter, ranger, and rogue. All warriors receive basic training in simple weapons and unarmed combat.
Diviners
Diviners are the spiritual and religious leaders. There are four specialty classes: cleric, druid, monk, and paladin.
The handiwork of the gods is everywhere--in places of natural beauty, in mighty crusades, in soaring temples, and in the hearts of workshippers. Like people, gods run the gamut from benevolent to malicious, reserved to intrusive, simple to inscrutable. The gods, however, mostly work through intermediaries.
Mages
Mages specialize in magical feats. There are three specialty classes: bard, sorcerer, and wizard.
Careers
The life of a studious member of a specialty class isn't always the most appealing to those characters. And most classes have aspects that can be specialized in, but don't really rate classes of their own. Examples are included with each class.
Note: these are just examples. There are many careers that a class' skill can be turned to.
Prestige Classes
Prestige classes are extremely advanced classes. Most of those who rank in the prestige classes are in at least their second decade of practicing and training, more often their third or fourth decade.
Each prestige class has a base specialty class (sometimes a multi-class base, which requires additional training); skills that must be mastered before pursuing the prestige class; and a list of special skills obtained by pursuing the prestige class.
There are also advanced prestige classes that are only accessible to those of a specific specialty class, and sometimes only after mastering a standard prestige class. For example, only an ex-druid can become a blighter, or an arcane archer can advance to deepwood sniper.
There are many prestige classes; 14 of them are detailed here: arcane archer, arcane trickster, archmage, assassin, blackguard, duelist, eldritch knight, hierophant, horizon walker, loremaster, mystic theurge, red wizard, shadowdancer, and thaumaturge.
Other available prestige classes are listed with their base classes.
Career Prestige Classes
Characters who have taken their specialty class on the road for a career may also advance their career skills to a prestige class level.