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Business Software Specialist

Business Software Specialist Degree: If you enjoy working with computers and want a business career, then consider becoming a business software specialist. In this program, you’ll learn to support business offices with advanced skills in the latest spreadsheet, database, presentation, and project management software. This program includes classes in office administration and technical training with an emphasis on Microsoft Office applications. Whether you are just beginning your career or you are an experienced professional who wants to upgrade your technical skills in the office, this program will help prepare you to use today’s software tools with confidence.

Students who successfully complete the Business Software Specialist AAS degree will also recieve the Front Office Professional and Administrative Clerical Assistant certificates.

Front Office Professional Certificate (embedded): If you are looking for an entry-level office position, build your qualifications with this certificate. In this three-quarter program, you learn the professional skills and techniques to greet callers, make and receive telephone calls, format correspondence and reports, and perform a variety of general office duties. Front office professionals are often the first point of contact for visitors, clients, and customers. This certificate prepares you to represent your employer in a professional way.

Administrative Clerical Assistant Certificate (embedded): In this two-quarter program, you’ll learn general office skills and basic professional terminology needed for entry-level office positions. You’ll develop skills in the areas of written and oral communication, customer service, keyboarding, document formatting, office procedures, scheduling, and job preparation.

  1. Demonstrate proficiency with computer software applications such as the Microsoft Office Suite.
  2. Manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
  3. Demonstrate critical thinking to evaluate situations, solve problems, and make decisions.
  4. Create and organize internal and external business communications and understand their purposes with attention to equity, diversity, and inclusion. 
  5. Demonstrate project management skills.
  6. Describe technical concepts and terminology of computer software and hardware.

Breaking Ground on Your Pathway


Plan Your Courses

Meet with our counselors to customize this plan just for you. You can also search the quarterly schedule for class days and times.

Placement

Math placement is not required for this program.
English placement is not required for this program.

The Business Software Specialist degree is a two-year program with classes offered online or on-campus. This program combines training in information processing systems and office administration to give students the diversified training and background needed to hold positions of responsibility in business offices. Upon completion students will be prepared for administrative positions that require advanced spreadsheet, database, presentation, and project management software. This program provides students with one or more of the following additional areas: basic computer hardware troubleshooting, online collaboration, MOS certification, or basic network administration.

In order to earn a Business Software Specialist AAS degree, a student must maintain a 2.0 GPA in all individual courses.

Program Map for

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Total Program Credits: 90


Program Courses

First Quarter

First Quarter course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
BT 105 Grammar for Business   5
BT 106 Computing Essentials   5
BT 152 College and Career Strategies   3
CATT 102 Microsoft Outlook   2.5
Total Credits 15.5

Second Quarter

Second Quarter course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
BT 127 Human Relations and Professional Development   3
BT 165 Word Processing   5
BT 196 Skillbuilding   1
BUS 103 Basic Business Math and Electronic Calculators   5
Total Credits 14

Third Quarter

Third Quarter course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
BT 204 Spreadsheet Design and Analysis   5
BT 274 Business Writing for the Web   1 5
CATT 190 Microsoft PowerPoint I   2.5
MMGT 223 Customer Service   3
Total Credits 15.5

Fourth Quarter

Fourth Quarter course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
BT 280 Project Management for the Office   2 2.5
CATT 128 Desktop Publishing   2.5
CATT 191 Microsoft PowerPoint II   2.5
CATT 241 Microsoft Project   2.5
  CIS Approved Elective   5
Total Credits 15
CIS Approved Elective: Choose 5 credits course choices
Course ID Course Title Credits
CIS 103 Mobile Devices   2
CIS 111 HTML5/CSS3   5
CIS 112 Web Graphics with Photoshop   3
CIS 130 Responsive Web Design   5
CIS 146 Introduction to Programming   5
CIS 201 IT Essentials - A+   5
CIS 234 Network Scripting   3

Fifth Quarter

Fifth Quarter course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
BT 251 Current Trends in Technology   5
CATT 122 Microsoft Access I   2.5
CATT 123 Microsoft Access II   2.5
  CMST Approved Elective   5
Total Credits 15
CMST Approved Elective: Choose 5 credits CMST Approved Elective: Choose 5 credits  
CMST Approved Elective: Choose 5 credits course choices
Course ID Course Title Credits
CMST 127 Leadership Development   5
CMST&210 Interpersonal Communication   5
CMST 227 Intercultural Communication   5
CMST 250 Managing Conflict Through Communication   5
CMST 287 Communication in Organizations   5

Sixth Quarter

Sixth Quarter course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
BT 160 Job Preparation Techniques   3
BT 285 Administrative Professional Internship   2
  Elective   3 5
  CIS Approved Elective   5
Total Credits 15
Elective: Choose 5 credits course choices
Course ID Course Title Credits
ACCT 141 QuickBooks Online   5
ACCT 142 QuickBooks Desktop   5
ACCT 151 College Accounting I   5
ACCT&201 Principles of Accounting I   5
BT 272 Business Correspondence   5
BT 273 Business Research and Report Writing   5
BUS 280 Human Relations in Business   5
MIS 211 Information Technology In Business   5
MMGT 243 Fundamentals of Project Management   5
MMGT 244 Introduction to Lean Six Sigma   2.5
MMGT 256 Lean Leadership   5
CIS Approved Elective: Choose 5 credits course choices
Course ID Course Title Credits
CIS 103 Mobile Devices   2
CIS 111 HTML5/CSS3   5
CIS 112 Web Graphics with Photoshop   3
CIS 130 Responsive Web Design   5
CIS 146 Introduction to Programming   5
CIS 201 IT Essentials - A+   5
CIS 234 Network Scripting   3

Elective  

Elective course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
ACCT 141 QuickBooks Online   5
ACCT 142 QuickBooks Desktop   5
ACCT 151 College Accounting I   5
ACCT&201 Principles of Accounting I   5
BT 272 Business Correspondence   5
BT 273 Business Research and Report Writing   5
BUS 280 Human Relations in Business   5
MIS 211 Information Technology In Business   5
MMGT 243 Fundamentals of Project Management   5
MMGT 244 Introduction to Lean Six Sigma   2.5
MMGT 256 Lean Leadership   5

CIS Approved Elective  

CIS Approved Elective course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
CIS 103 Mobile Devices   2
CIS 111 HTML5/CSS3   5
CIS 112 Web Graphics with Photoshop   3
CIS 130 Responsive Web Design   5
CIS 146 Introduction to Programming   5
CIS 201 IT Essentials - A+   5
CIS 234 Network Scripting   3

CMST Approved Elective  

CMST Approved Elective course list
Course ID Course Title Credits
CMST 127 Leadership Development   5
CMST&210 Interpersonal Communication   5
CMST 227 Intercultural Communication   5
CMST 250 Managing Conflict Through Communication   5
CMST 287 Communication in Organizations   5
1 May be substituted with BT 272.
2 May be substituted with MMGT 243.
3 Choose from any of the below elective groups.

Estimated costs for completing this program

Estimated costs for completing this program
Cost Type WA Resident Non-Resident International
Tuition $ 9,870 $ 12,768 $ 22,565
Books $ 1,612 $ 1,612 $ 1,612
Course Fees $ 85 $ 85 $ 85
Institutional Fees $ 672 $ 672 $ 3,195
Total Costs $ 12,239 $ 15,137 $ 27,457

Costs for completing a degree or certificate can vary. For more information about costs, visit our How Much Does it Cost? page.

Have a question? Let's hear it.

Kerrin Langford

Pathway Specialist for Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens County Students
Kerrin.Langford@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6737

Anne Mayer

Workforce Transition Specialist
Anne.Mayer@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8191

Katherine Cornelis

Workforce Transition Specialist for Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens County Students
Katherine.Cornelis@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6961

Ronda Moorhead

Department Chair
Ronda.Moorhead@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7389