Business Information Technology

AAS-T, Certificate

The Business Information Technology Certificate and A.A.S. degree were both designed with input from Puget Sound business and industry representatives to include the skills demanded for successful employment. Students in this program have the opportunity to earn a certificate in Business Information Technology (three quarters) or to pursue an associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree in Business Information Technology (six quarters) and may participate in the program by taking only one class or the entire program. The major constant in today's business is change. Those who keep up with change will be the ones in line for the jobs of the future. Thus, people may take just one course from this program to update their skills.

The program curriculum covers a wide range of business support skills, including information technologies, customer service, diversity, integrated communications, management, work-based learning, and professionalism. In addition to technical skills, the program curriculum also emphasizes effective communications and customer service skills, as well as computer literacy in word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software programs.

Career Opportunities

Among the many positions for which you will qualify are business information professional, administrative and information support specialist, management trainee, office support technician, administrative assistant, customer service coordinator, records management technician, executive office professional, and information processing specialist.

Information Sessions

Information sessions are conducted each quarter so students interested in this program can meet faculty and learn more about the program. Please call 206 344-4186 for a schedule of information sessions for this program.

Entrance Requirements

Eligibility for Math 081, ENG 096, and BUS 104 or 25 net keyboarding words per minute.

How to Get Started

Estimated Training Costs

Curriculum (Certificate)

1'st QuarterCr
BUS 131 * INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS I 5
Integrates the review and refinement of basic English grammar, punctuation and word usage skills with the composition of effective basic business letters and memos. Intro to oral communication skills essential to successful giving/receiving of information and cultural aspects of the communication process.
BUS 140 CUSTOMER RELATIONS 5
Develops skills to identify and resolve customer complaints, handle difficult customers, and utilize effective verbal and nonverbal communication methods. Learn appropriate professional use of various electronic media and contribute positively to the service culture of an organization. Examines future trends and changes in work environments.
BUS 170 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY I 4
Intro to Word, Excel and computer concepts. Create, edit and insert graphics in business documents including correspondence, resumes, research papers, and tables. Includes spreadsheet creation, embedded charts using formulas and formats, What If Analysis, and integration features. Covers Web interactivity features of both Word and Excel.
2'nd QuarterCr
BUS 113 * DIVERSITY ISSUES IN BUSINESS 3
Intro to legal, gender, racial, and cultural aspects of business. Examines diversity, self-exploration as a basis for understanding others, historical overviews of ethnic influences on American business, workforce demographics and cross-cultural communication.
BUS 116 * BUSINESS MATH/SPREADSHEETS 5
Utilize business math applications to work with checking accounts, percentages, invoices, discounts, payroll, insurance and other business applications. Use Excel software to create spreadsheets.
BUS 132 * INTERGRATED COMMUNICATIONS II 5
Continues to develop communication skills integrating business English grammar, punctuation, and word usage skills with composition of effective, complex business letters and memos. Develop skills in conducting research, business report writing, and documenting tasks. Discussion and practice of oral presentation techniques, handling of questions, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution techniques. Complete meeting preparation tasks.
BUS 171 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY II 4
Covers intermediate to advanced functions of Excel and Word. Introduces PowerPoint. Covers Excel functions, amortization schedules, hyperlinks, and creating templates with multiple worksheets and workbooks. Word features include generating form letters, mailing labels, and documents with tables and integration using OLE and Word Art.
3'rd QuarterCr
BUS 172 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY III 4
Utilizes technology to integrate text, data, and charts in the completion of business-related projects. Covers advanced Word, PowerPoint and Excel functions, while also gaining additional skill in working with email and Internet.
BUS 182 INFORMATION AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT 5
A study of the basic alphabetic, numeric, subject, and geographic filing principles necessary to manage filing systems. Includes computer practice using a database software simulation. Intro to Microsoft Access database features.
BUS 197 WORK EXPERIENCE/BUSINESS OCCUPATIONS 15
Earn work experience in the business field.
BUS 216 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 5
Self-improvement course designed to develop positive mental attitudes and examine useful techniques for personal and professional success. Emphasizes various aspects of career development.
Total Credits = 60

* Related instruction courses. These courses are offered in areas related to the student's major area of study and are required for completion of the certificate.

Note: Students who intend to complete the Business Information Technology certificate or associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree should meet with the division counselor.

Curriculum (A.A.S. Degree)

1'st QuarterCr
BUS 131 INTEGRATED COMMUNICATIONS I 5
Integrates the review and refinement of basic English grammar, punctuation and word usage skills with the composition of effective basic business letters and memos. Intro to oral communication skills essential to successful giving/receiving of information and cultural aspects of the communication process.
BUS 140 CUSTOMER RELATIONS 5
Develops skills to identify and resolve customer complaints, handle difficult customers, and utilize effective verbal and nonverbal communication methods. Learn appropriate professional use of various electronic media and contribute positively to the service culture of an organization. Examines future trends and changes in work environments.
BUS 170 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY I 4
Intro to Word, Excel and computer concepts. Create, edit and insert graphics in business documents including correspondence, resumes, research papers, and tables. Includes spreadsheet creation, embedded charts using formulas and formats, What If Analysis, and integration features. Covers Web interactivity features of both Word and Excel.
2'nd QuarterCr
BUS 113 DIVERSITY ISSUES IN BUSINESS 3
Intro to legal, gender, racial, and cultural aspects of business. Examines diversity, self-exploration as a basis for understanding others, historical overviews of ethnic influences on American business, workforce demographics and cross-cultural communication.
BUS 116 BUSINESS MATH/SPREADSHEETS 5
Utilize business math applications to work with checking accounts, percentages, invoices, discounts, payroll, insurance and other business applications. Use Excel software to create spreadsheets.
BUS 132 INTERGRATED COMMUNICATIONS II 5
Continues to develop communication skills integrating business English grammar, punctuation, and word usage skills with composition of effective, complex business letters and memos. Develop skills in conducting research, business report writing, and documenting tasks. Discussion and practice of oral presentation techniques, handling of questions, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution techniques. Complete meeting preparation tasks.
BUS 171 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY II 4
Covers intermediate to advanced functions of Excel and Word. Introduces PowerPoint. Covers Excel functions, amortization schedules, hyperlinks, and creating templates with multiple worksheets and workbooks. Word features include generating form letters, mailing labels, and documents with tables and integration using OLE and Word Art.
3'rd QuarterCr
BUS 172 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY III 4
Utilizes technology to integrate text, data, and charts in the completion of business-related projects. Covers advanced Word, PowerPoint and Excel functions, while also gaining additional skill in working with email and Internet.
BUS 182 INFORMATION AND DATABASE MANAGEMENT 5
A study of the basic alphabetic, numeric, subject, and geographic filing principles necessary to manage filing systems. Includes computer practice using a database software simulation. Intro to Microsoft Access database features.
BUS 185 SMALL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT 5
Qualifications needed by the small business manager and entrepreneur; planning, organizing and marketing activities; forecasting methods and sources of financial resources; tools for decision-making.
BUS& 101 INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS 5
(Formerly BUS 101) Survey of American business in a global context: business and economic terminology, forms of business ownership, management, accounting, finance, international marketing, and foreign exchange rates. Also covers small businesses, business start-ups, and franchising.
4'th QuarterCr
General Elective 5cr.
BUS 100 FUNDAMENTALS OF SUPERVISION 5
Basic course in first-line supervision, covering total responsibilities of a supervisor. Includes the function of management, human relations and motivation, effective communications, systems concepts and problem solving.
BUS 181 INTRODUCTION TO DESKTOP PUBLISHING 5
Creation of documents using desktop publishing software on the PC. ComLearn to combine text and graphics to create publications using a popular software package. Course addresses both tool and craft bines text-processing and graphics to create brochures, newsletters and other business materials using a popular software.
CMST 100
5'th QuarterCr
General Elective 5cr.
ACCT&201 PRINCIPLES OF ACCOUNTING I 5
(Formerly ACC 210 - Financial Accounting Fundamentals I) Basic accounting concepts, principles and procedures for recording business transactions and developing financial accounting reports. Recommended: ACC 110 or sophomore standing (N,S).
BUS 103 PERSONNEL/HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 3
Covers organizational structure of the modern business office; recruitment and training; management of human resources; employee rights and ethical issues; legal responsibilities; and team-oriented collaboration for human relation dynamics.
MIC 120 DATABASE MANAGEMENT AND DESIGN WITH MS ACCESS 4
Develop database application and design skills through use of MS Access. Emphasizes planning, creating and revising a database system.
6'th QuarterCr
BUS 178 INTRO TO WEB DESIGN/DEVELOPMENT WITH DREAMWEAVER 5
Focuses on Website design, concepts, and processes necessary to develop, maintain and upload a commercial website to a worldwide web server through the use of Dreamweaver software. Covers issues relating to design, color, graphics, sound, and navigation.
BUS 197 WORK EXPERIENCE/BUSINESS OCCUPATIONS 15
Earn work experience in the business field.
BUS 216 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 5
Self-improvement course designed to develop positive mental attitudes and examine useful techniques for personal and professional success. Emphasizes various aspects of career development.
Total Credits = 97

General education electives are courses that provide students with strong work-related skills in communication, computation and human relations. General education course electives may be selected from any humanities, social sciences, math or science course offered.

Note: Students who intend to complete the Business Information Technology certificate or associate of applied science (A.A.S.) degree should meet with the division counselor.

Related-instruction courses are those offered in areas related to the student's major area of study. For students in this program, related-instruction courses would be chosen from accounting, business, computer applications, economics or other courses approved by the Dean of the Allied Health, Business, Languages and Cultures Division.

For Further Information:

Business Information Technology
Business, Information Technology & Creative Arts Division
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE3176
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 587-3830
TTY: (206) 344-4347
FAX: (206) 516-3130