Columbus Technical Campus

The Business/Computer Technology Program

Program Highlights

• 9 Month Certification Program
• Administrative Assistant certification offered online
• Small classes with lots of individual attention
• State-of-the-art equipment and latest software
• Highly qualified, experienced, and committed faculty
• All hours earned in the certification program count toward an Associates of Applied Science

Program Information

• Admission Requirements
• Employment Potential
• Instructional Staff
• Program Goals
• Technical Scholarships
• Tuition and Fees
• Compass Testing

For additional information contact our instructors:

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Coffeyville Community College - Technical Division

Columbus Campus
509 W. Elm Street
Columbus, KS  66725
620.429.3896 or
800.208.8324

Business and Computer Technology

(Secondary and Postsecondary Programs) 

Pick an Area of Specialization:       

OR

To complete the Associate in Applied Science Degree, the program emphasis credit hours and the general education credit hours, which must be taken from the list approved by the General Education Committee. The Business/Computer Technology credit hours and the general education credit hours must total at least 64 credit hours.  

Associate in Applied Science Degree

Students completing a technical program may desire to seek the Associate in Applied Sciences Degree.  In addition to completing a technical program, this degree also requires the completion of 18 hours in general education.  Complete degree requirements are available at this link.

Description of Courses 

BCTC-184.  Basic Web Page Design (145 Contact Hours).  5 Hours.  This beginning level course covers the skills needed to create dynamic Web pages.  Students will integrate text, graphics, animation, sound and other multimedia applications into Web sites.  HTML and graphical Web editors will be utilized for Web page design.

BCTC-113.  Business Procedures I (135 Contact Hours).  5 Hours.  Although computers and calculators are used to solve many business problems, students must still have a working knowledge of basic math and problem solving skills. This course covers basic business math principles and skills necessary to serve as the foundation for more advanced concepts through the use of 10-key calculators. Proper and effective use of the telephone is also covered. Regardless of the changes in technology, the proper use of the telephone has remained constant. One of the most important set of skills students need to develop for employment is team-player skills. Students will assess their own workplace expectations, values, and methods of communicating as a basis of understanding how to improve communication within the work environment to achieve a common goal. Topics covered include beginning business mathematics, team training and telephone communications.

BCTC-123.  Business Procedures II (135 Contact Hours).  5 Hours.  A variety of units will be covered in this course, including Business Mathematics and Computer Literacy. The purpose of this course is to assist students in understanding the basics of computer operations and to be conversant with current computer and software terminology, along with ergonomics and ethics. Human relations and job attitude skills are integrated in all units.

BCTC-143.  Business Prodcedures III (135 Contact Hours).  5 Hours.  This course introduces units that provide the student with critical thinking skills in the area of accessing and managing information, and the transfer of learned concepts. The ability to locate information in a timely and efficient manner is imperative to any organization. Units addressed include records management and beginning Business English. By learning a practicing correct and effective English language style, students will be better able to communicate with peers, co-workers and professional people.

BCTC-173.  Business Procedures IV (135 Contact Hours).  5 Hours.  This class is designed to help in assessing your career direction and move forward in reaching your career goals. Topics covered include the job search, job application, resume, the employment interview, employee evaluations, and the exit interview. We will also examine the skills and work ethics employers are looking for in entry-level employees. An employment portfolio will be developed containing material that may be used as the student enters the job market. Business English will provide the opportunity to learn how to communicate effectively in the business world. As a continuation to the foundations of developing sentences and paragraphs, students will learn the appropriate approach to capture the message necessary for effective communication.

BCTC-130.  Computer Applications I (190 Contact Hours).  7 Hours.  This course is designed to provide students with an orientation to word processing concepts including hands-on applications and skill development. Students will use Microsoft Word 2003 as the primary course software for exploration in word processing. Course will prepare students for testing to become Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) certified in Word. Advanced word/information processing functions will also be covered. Students learn to layout and design a variety of documents using such features such as table/column creation, importing of graphics, and advanced text formatting. For students whose career objective calls for only one course in desktop publishing, this course provides an understanding of principles and procedures. For students who need a broader knowledge of desktop publishing concepts, this course lays a strong foundation for additional study.

BCTC-130.  Computer Applications II (190 Contact Hours).  7 Hours.  This course covers basic systems training and utilization using Microsoft Office software for office applications. Software components includes beginning concepts through advanced PowerPoint and working in the Windows environment including Windows operation and disk and file management. Coursework will prepare students for testing to become Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) certified in PowerPoint.

BCTC-190.  Computer Applications III (190 Contact Hours).  7 Hours.  This course covers beginning and advanced software training and utilization of Microsoft Office Excel software for office applications. Software components include beginning and expert Excel, and integrated activities that are experienced in a work setting. This class will prepare students for testing at beginning and expert levels of certification in Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) in Excel.. Advanced techniques in spreadsheet applications are presented which cover an ever-increasing number of professional features. Creation of professional business forms from a concept to a finished product is required.

BCTC-200.  Computer Applications IV (190 Contact Hours).  7 Hours.  This course covers beginning and advanced software training and utilization of Microsoft Office Access software for office applications. Software components include beginning and expert Access, and integrated activities that are experienced in a work setting. This class will prepare students for testing at beginning and expert levels of certification in Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) in Access.

BCTC-270.  Desktop Publishing Software (190 Contact Hours).  7 Hours.  This course is designed to identify the concepts and applications of desktop publishing and develop competencies using powerful computer software as a desktop publishing tool. A variety of software packages will be examined.

BCTC-275.  Document Layout and Design (45 Contact Hours).  2 Hours.  This course is an introduction to computer applications and systems that are used in the production of printed media. A variety of software packages will be used to produce professional quality documents. Students will learn to analyze, critique and improve graphic design and layout to communicate a message.

BCTC-207.  On-the-Job Training (OJT or OJT Equivalent) (0-195 Contact Hours).  Up to 4 Hours.  Students are placed at on-site training locations in cooperation with local businesses. This allows students to gain skills working in their field while still attending classes. Minimum competencies in core cirriculum must be maintained. Attendance must be excellent and a professional attitude demonstrated before students will be considered for this opportunity.

Employment Potential

Employment of general office clerks is expected to grow about as fast as average for all occupations through the year 2012. The employment outlook for these workers will be affected by the increasing use of computers, expanding office automation, and the consolidation of clerical tasks. Automation has led to productivity gains, allowing a wide variety of duties to be performed by fewer office workers. However, automation also has led to a consolidation of clerical staffs and a diversification of job responsibilities. This consolidation increases the demand for general office clerks, because they perform a variety of clerical tasks. It will become increasingly common within small businesses to find a single general office clerk in charge of all clerical work.

Median annual earnings of general office clerks were $22,280 in 2002; the middle 50 percent earned between $17,630 and $28,190 annually. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $14,260, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $34,890. For additional information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Instructional Staff

Kari Soper, Business/Computer Instructor, brings years of Business & Computer Technology teaching experience to the Columbus Campus of Coffeyville Community College. Her previous teaching experience was with the former Southeast Kansas Technical School. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1992 from Pittsburg State University. She continued her education and obtained Vocational Certification, and Business Education Certification while attending Missouri Southern State College.

Program Goals

• Provide quality courses to meet student interests and the assessed employment needs of the service area
• Attain an entry level of competencies for employment in such areas as Administrative Assistant, Office/Data Entry Clerk, and Receptionist
• Deliver quality instruction that prepares students to succeed in upper-level courses should they continue their education
• Help students obtain the skills to work as a team in a business environment
• Use Microsoft application software at the core and expert levels

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