This course presents the MS Outlook application interface, tools, and features. You will learn about the fundamentals of an e-mail application, scheduling, calendars, contact lists, creating, forwarding and managing messages. This course relies heavily upon hands-on practical activities that allow you to learn concepts by practicing them on a regular basis.

This course introduces the students to word processing with Microsoft Word. Relying heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing skills based simulations, training and assessments. Learners will focus on the core features of Microsoft Word such as proper document formatting, organization and editing using the tools and features of the ribbon. The course will then continue with more advanced topics such as working with tables, lists, objects, templates footnotes and endnotes and mail merges. Students will explore the collaboration features that allow users to share and collaborate on documents through the use of track changes, sharing and reviewing.

Relying heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing skills based simulations, training and assessments in Microsoft Excel. The course starts with an overview of spreadsheets and how to use the common features and functions of Microsoft Excel. The course then focuses on the core features of Microsoft Excel where students learn how to enter and format data and use the various functions and formulas to manage and manipulate data. The course continues with more advanced topics such as performing quantitative analysis with logical, lookup and various mathematical and financial functions. Depicting data visually is an important feature of Excel. Students will learn how to work with charts in Excel to produce a variety of different charts based on data housed in a spreadsheet. Finally, students will learn to handle large volumes of data with datasets and tables.

This course introduces the students to presentation development and design with Microsoft PowerPoint. Relying heavily on a hands-on practical training approach, students learn by doing skills based simulations, training and assessments. The course starts with an overview of Microsoft PowerPoint where students learn about common views, features, tools and the environment of PowerPoint. The course then focuses on core processes of development and design of robust PowerPoint presentations and enhancing the presentations with the rich media tools offered by PowerPoint. Students will learn to use the PowerPoint templates, outlines and themes to design presentations.

The workplace of the twenty-first century demands excellent communication skills. The focus of this course is on learning writing techniques that ensure effective business communication. Following the completion of this course, students will be able to achieve effective writing styles, apply skillful writing techniques used in business communications in today’s workplace. This includes communicating in teams using listening, nonverbal and meeting skills; planning, writing and reviewing various types of business messages; communicating effectively using memos, email, letters and instant messages; creating business reports and proposals; plan, writing and delivering oral presentations.

In this course, students will develop and essential English skills through review and application of basic grammar and punctuation principles necessary for successful workplace communication. Students will also learn to proofread business communication as a three-step process that includes reviewing copy once for format, once for content and mechanical errors, and once for references and numerical text. Throughout the process, students will learn and apply standard proofreading symbols.

The daily routines of a modern business office are examined, and the skills necessary to assist in the smooth operation of the office are presented in this course. A variety of presentation methods may be used including lecture, discussion, role plays, case studies and work simulations.

This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the workplace and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.

Students will be placed in actual work places related to their field of study and will be expected to act as a regular employee in order to gain the valuable real world experience that so many employers seek. Students are encouraged to find their own work experience placement; however, once placed, continuation in that placement is mandatory.