Business Technology Program
In this age, computer knowledge is essential. The Applied Business Technology (ABT) program will prepare students for employment in a wide range of office positions, such as administrative, executive or technical support positions. This program begins with introductory level computer, keyboarding, bookkeeping and communication skills. Individuals completing the fall semester will have skills that prepare them for entry level employment, or for success in further post-secondary education, and will earn an ABT Basic Citation. Then students are able to continue on to complete an ABT Certificate program, mastering advanced level computer, communication, and administrative skills. In addition, students will complete in-depth team projects that simulate practical business applications and provide experience in organizing information systems, planning finances, developing promotional materials, and producing reports and proposals. Finally, this program provides an excellent opportunity to network, through a six-week office practicum in the students preferred type of employment.
Because of the community atmosphere, individual support, and smaller class sizes, the graduation success rate is extremely high.
This field offers exciting career advancement opportunities that can lead to supervisory and managerial positions. Small business owners and consultants also benefit from the practical computer applications and interpersonal development.
There are three options of completion:
The ABT Certificate: (Fall, winter and spring semesters)
Prepares the student for a career as an office professional.
The ABT Basic Citation: (Fall semester)
Critical training for either the workplace or
continued success in post-secondary studies.
The ABT Advanced Citation: (Winter and spring semesters)
Suitable for those needing to upgrade their
computer and business skills for the workplace.
| Fall Semester Prerequisite – 15 WPM typing speed |
Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ABT 110 | Keyboarding | 3 |
| ABT 120 | Microsoft Word I | 3 |
| ABT 130 | Computer Applications I | 3 |
| ABT 140 | Business English | 3 |
| ABT 150 | Human Relations for Office Personnel | 3 |
| ABT 160 | Business Math and Bookkeeping Procedures | 3 |
| Winter Semester Prerequisite – 25 WPM typing speed, and basic computer knowledge |
Credits | |
| ABT 210 |
Speed and Accuracy | 3 |
| ABT 220 |
Microsoft Word II | 3 |
| ABT 230 |
Computer Applications II | 3 |
| ABT 240 |
Business Communications | 3 |
| ABT 250 | Administrative Procedures | 3 |
| Spring Semester | Credits | |
| ABT 260 | Reports and Presentations | 3 |
| ABT 290 | Advanced Computer Projects | 3 |
| ABT 280 | Job Search Techniques | 3 |
| ABT 270 | Office Practicum | 3 |
| Total Certificate Credits = 45 | ||
Course Descriptions
ABT 110
Computer Keyboarding
Credits: 3
This course accommodates both the beginner typist and those with some previous typing experience. Lessons progress from the basics of the home row, alphabetic, numeric and symbol keys to revising and formatting documents, and interpreting proofreader's marks. Daily drilling exercises and timings for speed assist students in developing accurate keyboarding skills to a required speed of 25 words per minute. Prerequisite: 15 WPM typing speed.
ABT 120
MS Word Level I
Credits: 3
Word Level I is designed to teach the setup, format and organization of letters, memos, tables, and flyers. Students learn to manage files, and use text and graphic formatting, indents, borders, clip art, word art, spellchecker and the thesaurus.
ABT 130
Computer Applications I
Credits: 3
During this “hands-on” computer training, students will develop a basic working knowledge of computer operations and software. Learners are introduced to the basics of computer theory, file management, computer troubleshooting, and use of the Internet and e-mail. In Microsoft Excel, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of spreadsheet design and construction as a tool to solve business problems. Power Point topics will include creating slide presentations and designing flyers.
ABT 140
Business English
Credits: 3
This course progresses from developing effective strategies in business communication and understanding communication barriers to editing documents for correct grammar, spelling, punctuation and style. Students will learn to express themselves clearly and confidently both verbally and in writing.
ABT 150
Human Relations for Office Personnel
Credits: 3
Students will have opportunities to develop interpersonal skills that contribute to developing a professional image and learning to be effective communicators - as individuals and within team environments. Learners will assess their human relations strengths and weaknesses, consider how they relate to others, and practice strategies for effective decision-making, and dealing with conflict and change.
ABT 160
Business Math and Bookkeeping Procedures
Credits: 3
Students will learn essential accounting concepts and practices from understanding the purpose of the balance sheet to classifying accounts, coding transactions into debit and credit parts and preparing a trail balance and income statement. A review of mathematics will cover whole numbers, decimals and fractions, then deal with percent calculations and their application in payroll, interest, trade and cash discounts, markup and markdown, and interest calculations.
ABT 210
Speed and Accuracy
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide the learner with the skills necessary to touch-type at a minimum speed of 40 words per minute on a five-minute timing. A diagnostic software program will be used to access individual progress and provide drills for correcting weaknesses.
Prerequisite: Keyboarding speed of 25 words per minute.
ABT 220
MS Word Level II
Credits: 3
This course is designed to give the learner the skill needed to create letters, labels, tables, memos, minutes, invitations, forms, business cards, newsletters, flyers, merged letters and more. Students will use most of the advanced features of this popular business program, and are encouraged to use creativity to produce business documents that conform to current industry formatting and grammar standards.
ABT 230
Computer Applications II
Credits: 3
Students will develop proficiency in the most popular business applications and
operating
system (Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Windows), and will learn to select
and apply appropriate software for business related tasks, manage a computer
filing system and use system tools to customize settings and prevent potential
malfunctions. A major focus of the course is to achieve business standards for
efficiency and quality of work.
ABT 240
Business Communications
Credit: 3
This course focuses on composing messages, e-mail, press releases, memos, letters and short re p o rts, that use pro f e ssional vocabulary clear, unified and coherent paragraphs and are free from errors in spelling, grammar, and style. Students will compare the techniques for writing favorable, disappointing, and persuasive letters and write letters of request, acknowledgement, response, thank you, complaint, refusal, and collection.
ABT 250
Administrative Procedures
Credits: 3
This course addresses the role and responsibilities of the Administrative Assistant in the modern business office. Topics include mail procedures, records management, travel arrangements, conference organization, facilitating meetings, and working in teams. Using Internet Explorer students will navigate the Web to locate, select, evaluate and organize information using appropriate resources.
ABT 260
Reports and Presentations
Credits: 3
This course will provide learners with the skills to gather, organize and summarize research information using appropriate resources to produce complete reports. Formatting includes headers, footers, graphics, footnotes, tables of contents, indices and bibliographies as well as section styles, incorporating the elements of good writing. Students develop confidence delivering oral presentations, accompanied by overheads and effective PowerPoint slides.and career planning.
ABT 290
Advanced Computer Projects
Credits: 3
Desktop publishing design principals will be used to create and produce a variety of personal and professional documents, including letterhead, business cards, flyers, brochures, newsletters and manuals. Students will apply their knowledge of business tools through designing integrated applications requiring the transfer of data files and formats from one software system to another for efficient information management.
ABT 280
Job Search Techniques
Credits: 3
This course provides students with an opportunity to develop the employment strategies needed for securing and keeping employment. Students will prepare a professional portfolio, research employment opportunities, prepare and apply for jobs, undertake a job interview and evaluate their own perf o rmance in the job application process. During this course, the student will find a practicum placement.
ABT 270
ABT Office Practicum
Credits: 3
Students will be placed in a work practicum at two office sites for a total of six-weeks of work experience. This networking opportunity is designed to provide practical experience in technical and administrative support, and referrals for potential employment. Successful completion of all courses and consistent attendance is a pre-requisite for these placements. On completion of the practicum students will re t u rn for debriefing and job search assistance.
