Lynn Stocking, Chair

The Business Technology Department offers seven Associate of Applied Science degree programs and five certificate programs. Degree programs include Accounting Technology; Medical Office Technology with options in Medical Assisting, Medical Secretarial Technology, and Medical Transcription; Microcomputing Technology with options in Network Support and Software Support; Legal Assisting; Legal Secretarial Technology; Administrative Assisting with options in Human Resources and Office Administration; and Management with options in Entrepreneurship, Food and Beverage Management, Fashion Sales and Marketing, and Sales and Marketing.

Special Degree and Certificate Requirements

The related studies requirements are included in the following programs. Refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for the specific requirements.

Accounting Technology- A.A.S. Degree

Students in the Accounting Technology program are trained to be accounting technicians. Graduates are trained also for positions as paraprofessionals in CPA and bookkeeping firms. Accounting technicians maintain the financial records of entities in the areas of manufacturing, service, merchandising, government, or nonprofit.They use PeachTree Accounting, spreadsheet, and word processing skills. Accounting technicians apply knowledge from database, taxation for individuals, principles of business, payroll, and business law.

Students who enter in the autumn semester complete the program in four semesters for the Associate of Applied Science degree. Students who enter in the spring semester complete the program in five semesters. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Administrative Assisting- A.A.S. Degree

Students in administrative assisting may select options in Human Resources or Office Administration as well as having all skills acquired in the Office Reception program.

Students are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree after successfully completing the program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Human Resources Option

Students selecting the Human Resources option will gain knowledge of employee recruiting, screening, interviewing, and orientation responsibilities. In addition, students become knowledgeable regarding personnel files, employee benefits, and other statutory and regulatory requirements placed on employers relating to personnel.

Office Administration Option

Students in office administration are trained to plan, organize, and oversee office tasks in addition to having all skills acquired in the office reception program. Employee supervision, training, and evaluation are included in the course of study.

Bookkeeping- Certificate

Students in bookkeeping learn to verify and enter details of financial transactions in journals and post to ledger accounts. Subjects include preparation of worksheets, financial reports, and payroll records. Spreadsheet skills in accounting tasks and word processing skills in clerical tasks are part of the curriculum.

A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon completion of the program.

Students successfully completing the bookkeeping program satisfy the requirements for one year of the Accounting Technology degree program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Fashion Sales and Marketing- Certificate

The Fashion Sales and Marketing program prepares students to sell clothing and related accessories in department stores, specialty shops, and boutiques. Merchandise coordination, visual merchandising, fashion trend research, and color analysis, in addition to bookkeeping, stocking, cashiering, and customer service are an integral part of the course of study.

Students who complete the program are awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Students successfully completing the Fashion Sales and Marketing program satisfy the requirements for the first year of the management program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Legal Assisting- A.A.S. Degree

Legal assistants support attorneys in their professional responsibilities in private practice or governmental agencies. They research and analyze the law and gather and compile data. Legal assistants use their training in legal specialty areas to prepare appropriate forms and documents, organize files and trial notebooks, conduct fact-finding investigations, interview witnesses, and understand legal principles and theories. Legal assistants are knowledgeable of law office functions, policies, and procedures. They are proficient in using computers for legal applications, including legal research. Legal assistants understand and observe the American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc. (NALA) Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Legal assistants operate under the direct supervision of attorneys and are subject to prohibitions against laypersons practicing law.

Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree.

The Legal Assisting program often has a waiting list for admittance. Interested persons are encouraged to apply one year prior to anticipated school attendance. Program entry is available only in autumn. Students in this program attend classes on both the mountain and east campuses. Applicants should note that positions in this field require strong verbal, writing, and organizational skills, with analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Legal Secretarial Technology-A.A.S. Degree

Legal secretaries assist attorneys in their professional responsibilities in private practice or governmental agencies. They are skilled in oral and written communications and in the procedural aspects of legal specialty areas, such as real estate, family law, probate, and litigation. Legal secretaries are proficient in using computers for word processing, spreadsheet, and legal applications. They compose routine correspondence and transcribe letters, legal forms, and documents. Legal secretaries are knowledgeable of legal concepts, ethical responsibilities, and office policies and procedures.

Students successfully completing the program are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree. Students may enter in the autumn semester or the spring semester.

Management-A.A.S. Degree

The Management program provides graduates with the skills required to own and operate their own businesses, become sales representatives, managers of retail stores, and food and beverage managers.

Entrepreneurship Option

Students selecting the Entrepreneurship option gain knowledge and skills to start and manage a successful retail or service business enterprise. Topics include recognizing business opportunities, writing business plans, obtaining financing, and developing strategic management skills. Preparation includes learning accounting systems, sales strategy, designing effective visual displays, advertising and copy writing, and supervisory skills. Bookkeeping, inventory control, and computer technology are an integral part of the program.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon successfully completing the program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Fashion Sales and Marketing Option

Students selecting the Fashion Sales and Marketing option will gain product knowledge in fashion design, terminology, and textiles. Students learn the latest sales techniques, plan and implement effective visual displays, purchase and prepare effective advertising copy, and develop inventory management and bookkeeping skills. Supervisory skills and customer relations are an integral part of their studies.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon successfully completing the program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Food and Beverage Management Option

Students selecting the Food and Beverage Management option gain knowledge and skills to own and operate a successful restaurant or dining facility. Topics include recognizing business opportunities, writing business plans, obtaining financing, and developing strategic management skills. Preparation includes learning accounting systems, sales strategy, marketing and advertising, business economics, supervisory skills and employee relations, menu layout and design, and purchasing procedures and cost controls.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded upon successfully completing the program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Sales and Marketing Option

Students learn the latest sales techniques, plan and implement effective visual displays, purchase and prepare effective advertising copy, and develop inventory management and bookkeeping skills. Supervisory skills and customer relations are an integral part of their studies.

An Associate of Applied Science degree is awarded to students successfully completing the program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Medical Office Technology- A.A.S. Degree

The Medical Office Technology program provides three options for students with the flexibility of choosing a career as a medical assistant, medical secretary, or medical transcriptionist. The course of study includes general as well as administrative duties of a medical facility. These duties involve scheduling appointments, interacting with patients, submitting patient insurance claims using current coding procedures, and maintaining medical and financial records. Students develop efficient skills in transcribing medical reports to include letters, history and physicals, operative reports, discharge summaries, and pathology reports.

Medical Assisting Option

Medical assistants are trained in both front office administrative skills and back office clinical skills to assist doctors and nurses in administering to the needs of patients. In addition to medical secretarial duties, they have the skills to assist with examinations and treatments, take medical histories, give medications and skin test (under supervision), draw blood, perform diagnostic tests, perform office laboratory procedures, and sterilize instruments and equipment.

Students successfully completing the program are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree. Students may enter autumn semester. Contact the Admissions Office for spring entry availability.

Medical Secretarial Technology Option

Medical secretaries are trained to effectively greet patients, either on the telephone or on their arrival at the office, schedule appointments, post charges and payments, collect fees, submit insurance claims using current coding procedures, maintain patient records, calculate payroll, and transcribe letters and patient chart notes.

Students successfully completing the program are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree. Students may enter either autumn or spring semester.

Medical Transcription Option

Medical transcriptionists are trained to work in a variety of settings utilizing both office administration and transcription skills. The program places option in transcribing medical histories, discharge summaries, operative reports, and chart notes. In order to be successful, course work provides a knowledge of anatomy and terminology of medical and surgical procedures, drugs, instruments and laboratory data as well as instruction in using standard reference materials.

Student successfully completing the program are awarded the Associate of Applied Science degree. Students may enter either autumn or spring semester.

Medical Reception-Certificate

The Medical Reception curriculum provides the skills needed to function effectively in a medical office as a medical receptionist. Medical receptionists answer the phone and keep records of callers, schedule appointments and greet patients, and interview patients to gain needed information. In addition, they have a variety of clerical skills needed to work in a doctor's office or other medical facility. This training also prepares students to become ward secretaries who work as hospital staff, transcribe physician orders, and schedule medical procedures in accordance with physician orders.

Students successfully completing the program are awarded a Certificate of Completion.

The Medical Reception curriculum satisfies the requirements for the first year of the Medical Office Technology program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Microcomputing Technology- A.A.S. Degree

Microcomputing personnel have an extensive understanding of microcomputers, operating systems, and an ability to use a variety of software packages. Students may select an option in Network Support or in Software Support.

Students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree upon successful completion of the program. Students may enter in the autumn semester.

Network Support Option

The Network Support option prepares students to identify, plan and install cabling for network environments; identify accessories to complete network connection; install network software and client software; diagnose, troubleshoot, and maintain communications; install, maintain, and monitor routers, gateways, and bridges; set up and maintain Internet sites, addressing, and security; interface with vendors; install and maintain peripherals; and install physical and software backup systems.

Software Support Option

The Software Support option prepares students to perform word processing, spreadsheet, database, graphics, and communications applications. Additionally, they use software to solve business problems and make business decisions, maintain hardware and peripherals, maintain networks, troubleshoot, and tailor existing software. They also provide input regarding hardware and software capability and specifications and they serve as a trainer and user liaison.

Office Reception-Certificate

The Office Reception program provides the skills needed to function effectively in a wide variety of offices. These skills include preparation of office correspondence such as letters, memos, tables, forms and reports; transcribing taped dictation; proofing, editing and correcting all documents; and basic record keeping. Answering the phone, scheduling appointments, and greeting clients and customers are included in the program.

A Certificate of Completion is awarded for successful completion of the program.

The Office Reception program satisfies the requirements for the first year of the Administrative Assisting degree program. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.

Sales and Marketing-Certificate

Students in the Sales and Marketing program are trained in sales and supportive tasks relating to retail or wholesale organizations. They study the application of the latest counselor selling techniques to assist clients in meeting needs. The curriculum also involves marketing activities, bookkeeping functions, and merchandising skills.

Students are awarded a Certificate of Completion after successfully completing the program.

The Sales and Marketing program satisfies the requirements for the first year of the Management degree, Sales and Marketing option. Students may enter in the autumn or spring semester.