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Business Software Specialist

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.

  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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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
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 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  

 

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  

 

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  

 

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

 
WA Resident
Non-Resident
International
Tuition
$ 9,544
$ 11,488
$ 21,823
Books
$ 956
$ 956
$ 956
Course Fees
$ 75
$ 75
$ 75
Institutional Fees
$ 672
$ 672
$ 3,195
Total Costs
$ 11,247
$ 13,191
$ 26,049

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.

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Sierra Schrader

Pathway Specialist
Sierra.Schrader@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7490

Kerrin Langford

Pathway Specialist - Northern Counties
Kerrin.Langford@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6737

John Yoon

Academic Counseling Liaison
John.Yoon@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7356

Landon Johnston

Academic Counseling Liaison
Landon.Johnston@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-7190

Samantha Stephens

Academic Counseling Liaison - Northern Counties
Samantha.Stephens@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6710

Anne Mayer

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

Katherine Cornelis

Workforce Transition Specialist - Northern Counties
Katherine.Cornelis@scc.spokane.edu
509-279-6961

Ronda Moorhead

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

Jeff Brown

Division Dean
Jeff.Brown@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8882

Jeff Williams

Division Dean (interim) - Northern Counties
Jeff.Williams@scc.spokane.edu
509-533-8235