SECRETARIAL AND BUSINESS DEPARTMENT (BUS)

COURSES AVAILABLE

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1. OFFICE AND SECRETARIAL SKILLS (OS)

BUS OS-00 Office Experience
         Course Description: The student needs to have been actively involved in 240 hours of on-the-job office training to obtain credit in this course.
         Credits: 4

BUS OS-01 Secretarial Training
         Course Description: This is a general secretarial course covering the basics of how to be a good secretary. This course also includes getting along with others in an office environment.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-02 Office Efficiency
         Course Description: This course contains practical how-to tips on improving your work area and work habits, getting things done more efficiently, how to organize, find shortcuts and save time, while at the same time aiming for accuracy and developing consistent work habits.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-03 Touch Typing I
         Course Description: A course for beginning typists which includes learning the keyboard, drills, copy practice and typing skills. Students must be able to type 40 words a minute to pass this first level.
        
Credits: 3

BUS OS-04 Touch Typing II
         Course Description: An advanced typing course in which the student acquires proficiency on an electronic and/or computer keyboard. Students must be able to type at least 60 words per minute.
         Credits: 3

BUS OS-05 Word Processing
         Course Description: Students must acquire a good working knowledge of a leading computer word processing program, and, where available, learn to use word processor typing assistance and spell-check features. The student must also be able to use and effectively work with a file encryption program for securing the privacy of computer files.
         Credits: 3

BUS OS-06 Record-keeping and Itemizing
         Course Description: Basic techniques of filing, alphabetizing and keeping inventories.
         Credits: 1

BUS OS-07 Reports, Dictation and Note Taking
         Course Description: A basic guide to good reporting, learning how to make clear, concise reports on a situation or event. Students study how to take notes, and orally compose reports and letters on tape. To receive credit, students must take notes for at least five meetings, and compose reports on three meetings.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-08 Proofreading
         Course Description: Learn how to proofread and catch common mistakes in language usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-09 Transcription
         Course Description: Students practice transcription using tape transcribers. To pass this course the student must be proficient in punctuation, have good spelling and/or be able to make effective use of a computer spell-check program. Students are also encouraged to learn typing assistance features of computer word processing programs, if available (such as the autocorrect feature of Microsoft Word Version 6), to increase their typing speed. To earn credit, students must transcribe at least three hours of taped notes or dictation.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-10 Telephone Techniques
         Course Description: This course teaches basic telephone procedures, including taking and passing on messages, telephone etiquette, etc.
         Credits: 1

BUS OS-11 Communications and Correspondence
         Course Description: The student learns the many aspects of handling reports, files and related paperwork, as well as letter-writing skills and handling mail, messages and important communications effectively. To receive credit, students must process and respond to at least ten pieces of business or mail ministry mail.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-12 Encryption and Modems
         Course Description: Students must learn how to connect a modem to the computer, and how to install, configure, and operate a computer communications program to send and receive electronic messages. The student must also be able to use and effectively work with a file encryption program for securing the privacy of computer files.
         Credits: 1

BUS OS-13 Computer Basics
         Course Description: The course covers the basics of computer technology, care of the computer and familiarity with basic software. The student learns about types of computers, parts of a computer, how computers work, special applications, program installation, etc. To earn credit the student should be proficient in basic hands-on use of the computer.
         Credits: 1

BUS OS-14 Business Letter Writing
         Course Description: In this course the student learns how to compose basic business letters. To receive credit, the student must write three business letters.
         Credits: 1

BUS OS-15 Speed Reading
         Course Description: A course for students who want to increase their reading speed and comprehension. The student must be able to read and comprehend over 300 words a minute to pass the course.
         Credits: 2

BUS OS-16 Memory Development
         Course Description: A course for students who wish to improve their ability to remember details.
         Credits: 1

BUS OS-17 Shorthand
         Course Description: Students learn to take dictation by shorthand, at a minimum speed of 50 wpm.
         Credits: 3

BUS OS-18 Computer Applications
         Course Description: Students learn to use database or spreadsheet programs for purposes such as keeping track of mailing lists or finances. Students may also do further study about computer applications or programming.
         Credits: 3

BUS OS-19 Desktop Publishing
         Course Description: Students learn to use a desktop publishing program. To earn credit they must be able to handle the program well and do the computer layout of the equivalent of a one-page flier and two-page newsletter.
         Credits: 3

BUS OS-20 Microsoft Windows Skills
         Course Description: Students should demonstrate a hands-on understanding and command of working in Microsoft Windows (Windows 95 where possible [or later version]).
         Credits: 2

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2. BUSINESS MANAGEMENT (BM)

BUS BM-00 General Business Experience
         Course Description: The student needs to have been actively involved in 240 hours of business-related activities to qualify for credits.
         Credits: 4

BUS BM-01 Office Management
         Course Description: Invaluable lessons on wise, effective and loving leadership, working with people, teamworking, counseling and communicating, learning to delegate and avoiding bottlenecks.
         Credits: 3

BUS BM-02 Time Management
         Course Description: Tips on time analysis, setting priorities and goals, planning, punctuality and problem solving.
        
Credits: 2

BUS BM-03 Business Meetings
         Course Description: Guidelines for holding successful business meetings and planning agendas.
         Credits: 2

BUS BM-04 Beginning Accounting
         Course Description: The basics of small business accounting, short cuts to handling business-related math problems.
         Credits: 2

BUS BM-05 Budgeting
         Course Description: How to plan a workable budget, set income goals and balance income and expenditures.
         Credits: 2

BUS BM-06 Banking
         Course Description: Basic banking procedures, understanding currency and exchange rates, international banking regulations, gold, etc.
         Credits: 2

BUS BM-07 Scheduling
         Course Description: A practical course in efficient planning of work, study and recreational activities.
         Credits: 1

BUS BM-08 Renting a House
         Course Description: A valuable study of tried-and-proven methods for finding a suitable house to rent, including what to look for in a contract, how to read a contract, and how to build good relations with landlords.
         Credits: 1

BUS BM-09 Delegating
         Course Description: Students learn about one of the most important keys to good administration -- delegating responsibility to others and following up.
         Credits: 1

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3. PUBLIC RELATIONS (PR)

BUS PR-00 Public Relations Practical Experience
         Course Description: Students must have at least 40 hours of practical experience in reception and communicating with people they have not previously met.
         Credits: 4

BUS PR-01 Public Relations
         Course Description: Fundamental techniques in handling people. To receive credit, students must have 20 hours of practical experience in greeting and communicating.
         Credits: 2

BUS PR-02 Public Speaking
         Course Description: Tips to improve and streamline public speaking. To pass the course students are required to give a 15-minute talk to a group on a topic of his or her own choice.
         Credits: 2

BUS PR-03 Critical Analysis of the Media
         Course Description: Through study of commercials and news reports and discussion, students should analyze the reliability of newspaper and magazine articles, and radio and television presentations and discern manipulative and propaganda techniques.
         Credits: 1

BUS PR-04 Defending The Family
         Course Description: Students do an in-depth study of Family Policy Statements to familiarize themselves with the Godly and Scriptural basis for Family life and ministry.
         Credits: 3

BUS PR-05 Managing the Media
         Course Description: Students will be familiarized with press releases, media advisories, sound bites, and what to do when you receive persecution and unfair coverage by the media. They will receive practice in giving interviews, press conferences, and making comments to the media, being conscious of presenting a good Christian witness. To earn credit, students must also write a rebuttal to a real or imaginary negative news article.
         Credits: 3

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4. SALES AND MARKETING (SM)

BUS SM-00 Marketing and Distribution Experience
         Course Description: To obtain credit, students are required to have 240 hours of personal experience in some aspect of marketing and distribution, such as direct sales, promotion of a product, ordering, inventorying, etc.
         Credits: 4

BUS SM-01 Salesmanship
         Course Description: This is a complete course in salesmanship. Students must select a product to sell, plan the entire sales strategy and successfully sell the product by whatever means they have chosen. Students should keep an accurate accounting of their initial outlying cost, costs encountered in selling and distributing the product, price they choose to sell the item at, adjustments for hidden costs (taxes, packaging, inflation, damage, etc.), any market research they did as to where, how and who to sell to, and what profit they made on the venture.
         Credits: 3

BUS SM-02 Promotions
         Course Description: Students must come up with three effective ways they can promote a certain product in their area, and attempt to demonstrate that their ideas work.
         Credits: 2

BUS SM-03 Market Research
         Course Description: Students must take a product, research carefully and write a report on all possible markets, individuals, groups, organizations, businesses, clubs, recreation facilities, institutions, etc., that would be potential customers and recommend various promotional strategies. Surveys may be done in person or by phone.
         Credits: 2

BUS SM-04 Fund Raising and Canvassing
         Course Description: Students must actively participate in a local community drive or charitable cause and learn how to make direct, phone or written appeals to citizens for help and support.
         Credits: 2

BUS SM-05 Product Marketing
         Course Description: Students follow and study the procedures of a successful marketing adventure. The study looks at utilizing mailing lists, catalogues and flyers, as well as looking at the initial investments for these projects as compared to the final profit.
         Credits: 2

BUS SM-06 Producing Brochures, Pamphlets and Newsletters
         Course Description: Students choose a product they would like to promote and learn to produce a brochure for this purpose. They also work together to create a newsletter featuring their school or group. Through this course they learn to develop publication strategy, including design layouts and production points. To receive credit, students need to produce a four-page brochure, tract or newsletter.
         Credits: 3

BUS SM-07 Purchasing
         Course Description: The student needs to research the best prices locally available on 20 commonly purchased items, as well as compare the relative quality of five items that are available for different prices because of name brand or quality differences. Student needs to write up a purchasing report that gives an evaluation and recommendation.
         Credits: 2

BUS SM-08 Professional Sales
         Course Description: This is a follow-up course on salesmanship, where the sales techniques of the student are critiqued and analyzed.
         Credits: 2


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Christian Vocational College