The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

Administrative Professionals are the largest segment of the office workforce! Our Administrative Professional with MCAS training will not only provide you with Administrative Professional training but will also prepare you to become a Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS). MCAS training will teach you how to use the new Microsoft Office 2007 suite of programs (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint) as well as the new Vista operating system.

Over 4.1 million secretaries/administrative assistants are employed in the United States, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor. In addition, approximately 300,000 secretaries/administrative professionals are employed in Canada, and millions more work in businesses all over the world.

The Administrative Professional plays an increasingly vital and skilled role in today's (and tomorrow's) office...

The Administrative Professional's job today requires skills in management functions and technology, including project management, integrated computer software applications, organization and scheduling, Internet/Intranet communications and research, document preparation, storage, and retrieval, with emphasis on electronic record-keeping, customer service, and public relations.

Administrative Professionals are handling a wider variety of duties beyond strictly clerical roles. Today's AP often purchases office equipment and supplies, plans meetings and special events, works closely with vendors and suppliers, creates and gives presentations, interviews, orients and supervises other staff, writes and edits documents, schedules events and facilities, coordinates direct mailings, maintains multiple schedules and calendars, handles messages and correspondence (with voice mail, e-mail, and regular postal mail), maintains computer files, directories, and databases, and more.

A typical day for today's administrative assistant can include:

• Developing a production report using spreadsheet software
• Preparing charts, slides, and handouts for a management presentation
• Corresponding via phone, fax, or e-mail with clients all over the world
• Researching a topic on the Internet
• Coordinating a videoconference
• Scheduling an airline flight and purchasing tickets over the Internet
• Supervising and training a coworker
• Effectively representing management at a meeting

Gatlin Education Services Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist program is designed to give students the valuable skills that will give an edge in the workforce. Our unique program gives students the skills needed to be a successful administrative professional as well as training on the Microsoft Office 2007 Suite of programs and the new Vista operating system. An optional Quickbooks training module is also available. About MCAS training:

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training program is the only comprehensive, performance-based certification program approved by Microsoft to validate business computer skills using Microsoft Windows Vista® and Microsoft Office® productivity software: Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, and Outlook.

This is a significant change in the certification process. For the past 10 years, all of the Windows training and assessment was in the MSCE Engineering track.

"The new Microsoft Business Certification requirements demonstrate a more realistic view of how computers are used in an office," according to Elizabeth Nofs, Microsoft Office instructor. "For example, when a document doesn’t print, it isn’t a problem that can be fixed in Microsoft Word. It’s about finding the answers in the user’s Windows operating system."

Standards and Alignment

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training program is aligned with the following standards:

• MOS Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Requirements
• ISTE NETS standards for Teachers, Administrators and Students
• Michigan Grade Level Expectations and Benchmarks for 6th grade Technology, Math and Science

Learn now. Earn now. Students who complete Microsoft Office certification training earn more (about 12%) than employees who are not certified. In addition, 82% of the students who get certified report getting a raise upon receiving their certification. The Comma Method of Microsoft® Office training was designed to meet the needs of college students, educators, administrators and business professionals. The need for Microsoft Office training is vast -- it is now a requirement in education, as well as in virtually all business, technical and professional jobs. It is a "must" for small business and entrepreneurs. Over 2 million MOS certificates have been issued. Microsoft is currently granting approximately 38,000 certificates per month.

This comprehensive, performance-based program teaches students to be proficient in Microsoft Office 2007: Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Access. The MOS program provides computer-program literacy, measures proficiency, and identifies opportunities for skills enhancement. Participants receive a certificate of completion from the college upon successful completion of the course. Students are then well prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Tests.

How to Become MCAS Certified To earn the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification for Microsoft Office or Microsoft Project, a student must pass one or more Microsoft certification exams (offered by Microsoft). Office Specialist exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise by evaluating your overall comprehension of Office or Microsoft Project programs, your ability to use their advanced features, and your ability to integrate the Office programs with other software programs. This Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training program will prepare you to sit for the Microsoft exams.

Note: Students should have these Microsoft products already loaded on your computer in order to take this course: Word 2007, Excel 2007, Access 2007, Outlook 2007, and PowerPoint 2007.

Upon registering, you are given an initial six months to complete the program. Should you need more time, you may request a 6-month extension at no additional charge.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training Program, the student should:

1. Understand and be able to perform the basic administrative skills, tasks and processes, required for employment as an Administrative Professional in a business office environment, including, but not limited to:

• Effective Communication and Language Usage
• Business Correspondence
• Planning Meetings and Travel
• Records Management and Mail Handling
• Leadership and Management

2. Understand and be able to perform the basic financial skills, tasks and processes, required for employment as an Administrative Professional in a business office environment, including, but not limited to:

• Accounts Payable
• Accounts Receivable
• Banking
• Inventory Control and Ordering

3. Use the Microsoft Office suite of software office productivity products effectively and knowledgeably. The programs include:

Microsoft Excel

Description: The Complete Guide to Excel teaches users how to create spreadsheets from simple checkbooks to price sheets, market forecast and scenarios.

Objectives: On completion, users will be able to:

• Create a spreadsheet.
• Create formulas with the Function Wizard or manually.
• Audit equations and troubleshoot errors.
• Analyze data by Sort, Filter, Subtotal, and PivotTables.
• Format spreadsheets, graphs and lists for printing

Length: There are three levels of Excel: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Each lesson has 6 modules. Each module can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Microsoft Word

Description: The Complete Guide to Word teaches users how to create documents from simple letterheads and envelopes to custom web pages.

Objectives: On completion, users will be able to:

• Create a document.
• Format fonts, paragraphs, bullets and tables
• Use tables for on-line forms and webpage designs.
• Automate mail merges
• Share documents with a workgroup.

Length: There are three levels of Word: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Each lesson has 6 modules. Each module can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Microsoft PowerPoint

Description: The Complete Guide to PowerPoint offers examples of colorful, animated slideshows.

Objectives: On completion, users will be able to:

• Create a slideshow.
• Format fonts, paragraphs, bullets and text boxes
• Use custom animation, slide transitions and effects.
• Use graphics, sound and on-screen navigation.
• Prepare a slide show for live presentations and kiosk demonstrations.

Length: There are two levels of PowerPoint: Beginning and Advanced. Each lesson has 6 modules. A module can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Microsoft Outlook

Description: The Complete Guide to Outlook teaches users how to set up and use email, an electronic calendar, contacts, tasks, and journal entries effectively. Security, administration and backups are also demonstrated.

Objectives: On completion, users will be able to:

• Use email, Contacts, and work with attachments safely.
• Organize the Inbox and filter junk mail.
• Schedule meetings, recurring appointments, and tasks
• Analyze Outlook data in Microsoft Excel or AccessLength: There are three levels of Outlook: Email, Calendar, and Administration. Each lesson has 6 modules. A module can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Microsoft Access

Description: The Complete Guide to Access teaches users how to create database tables, forms, queries and reports. The focus is on optimizing the databases for efficient data entry and generating comprehensive reports.
Course Objectives: On completion, users will be able to:

• Create tables, forms and reports.
• Use queries to find, filter, update and calculate.
• Create forms that handle data automatically
• Optimize the database for easy navigation, and data input.

Length: There are three levels of Access: Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced. Each lesson has 5 modules. Each module can be completed in 30 minutes or less.

Administrative Professional Units:

Unit 1 - Administrative Professional

• Rating Chart (self-analysis)
• Training Needs
• Career Opportunities
• 21st Century Skills
• A Professional Image
• Ethical Behavior (with interactivity)
• Internal Relations
• Make-up of Team
• External Relationships
• Communications

• Today's Office
• Today's Worker Skills
• 21st Century Skills
• Working in Office Team (w/ interactivity)
• Office Security
• Virtual Office Workers
• Workplace Ethics

• AP Work Area (w/ interactivity)
• AP Responsibilities
• Time Management (w/ interactivity)
• Appointment Scheduling
• The Admin Pro and Stress

• Equipment and Systems
• Special Equipment
• Voice Messages
• Phone Responsibilities (w/ interactivity)
• Incoming Calls
• Outgoing Calls

Unit 5 - Records Management

• Records Management Defined
• Records Management Practices
• Records Retrieval
• Archives
• Records Retention
• Retention Schedule
• Records Transfer
• Records Disposal
• ARMA Rules (Assn/Records Managers and Administrators)
• Storage Methods (w/ interactivity)

Unit 6 - Language Usage

• Grammar
• Language Usage and Style
• Common English Usage Problems
• Spelling
• Pronunciation
• Punctuation
• Numerals
• The Business Letter
• Other Written Communications
• Forms of Addresses
• Legal Documents and Terms
• Keyboarding Skills
• Word Processing
• Multimedia and Presentation Software
• Desktop Publishing

• Written Messages
• Writing Characteristics (w/ interactivity)
• The Planning Steps
• Email and Memos
• Letters
• Message Checklist
• Proofreading Tips
• Formatting Guidelines
• Reports
• Proposal Writing
• Collaborative Writing

Unit 8 - Office Mail

• Outing Mail (w/ interactivity)
• State Abbreviations (w/ interactivity)
• Incoming Mail
• Mail Classifications
• Electronic Services
• Future Mail Trends

• Meeting Elements
• Facilitator's Role
• Role of Participants
• Meeting Types
• Role of AP in Meetings (w/ interactivity)
• Role of AP in Conferences and Conventions

• Ergonomics and You
• History of Ergonomics
• Ergonomics Today
• Ergonomic Environment
• Ergonomic Workstation
• Posture and Body

Unit 11 - Financial Management

• Bookkeeping and Accounting
• Business Taxes
• Banking
• Special Business and Financial Information for the Small Business
• Weights and Measures
• Office Equipment/Computers
• Database Management

Unit 12 - Leadership and Management

• Value of Leadership
• Leadership vs. Management
• Management Defined
• Leadership Qualities
• Leadership Tasks
• Summary (w/ interactivity)

Unit 13 - Planning Your Career

• Self Assessment
• Career Options
• Specialty Areas
• Certification Areas
• Research Careers
• Job Application
• Resume Planning (w/ interactivity)
• Interview Preparation
• Job Application
• Summary (w/ interactivity)

QuickBooks (Optional Unit)

• The First Time in QB
• Setting up Accounting
• Entering Historical Data
• Managing Accounts and Lists
• Invoices and Sales Tax
• Paying Bills
• Managing Assets and Reports
• Paying Employees
• Managing Taxes
• Online Banking and Budgets

Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Units:

Level 1-Beginning Windows

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Highlight text in document, Apply font formats: bold, italic, underline, Use the Spelling and Grammar checker (commands), Highlight text in document, understand beginning hardware troubleshooting, file management and administration features/procedures.

Level 2-Beginning Word

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Cut, copy, and paste, Insert pictures from ClipArt Menus: Edit Undo, Redo, Copy, Paste, Insert Picture Activity: Drag and drop editing, Move text, Insert ClipArt, and Resize pictures.

Level 3-Beginning Word

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Insert date and time, Insert picture from file, Format font and font size, File Save As a template.

Level 4-Beginning Word

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Locate and insert an existing document, Format newspaper columns, Use Paste Special Beginning Excel: Enter text, dates and numbers, Use AutoFill, Use the Chart Wizard, Modify Charts.

Level 5-Beginning Excel

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Format font styles (size, color, and styles), Apply number formats (currency, percent), Format borders and shading, Use AutoSum, Insert and delete rows or columns, Hide and unhide rows and columns, Set up headers and footers, Use references (relative), Use Functions: Average and IF.

Level 6-Intermediate Word

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Use advanced text alignment, Use Mail Merge: Create main document, Create data source, Sort records to be merged, Merge the document and data. Intermediate Excel: Single and multilevel sorts.

Level 7-Intermediate Word

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Create and format tables, Add borders and shading, Merge Cells, Save as a Web Page, Create Hyperlinks, Use Design Gallery Live, Practice Working with TABS Using Bookmarks with Hyperlinks.

Level 8-Outlook

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Read, Compose and Address Mail, Use Address Book, Use mail features: Forward, Reply and Recall, Flag Mail messages, Send Mail, Work with attachments, Work with Contacts, Create a Distribution List, Use Inbox Rules, Handle Junk Mail, Archive Outlook, Instant Messaging.

Level 9-Intermediate Excel

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Schedule appointments, Schedule events, Recurring appointments, Add and remove attendees. Plan meetings with others, Track the responses, Create Tasks, Assign a task, Work with the Journal, Find an appointment, Customize the calendar view. Intermediate Excel: Use Conditional Formatting, Merge and Center Cells, Use references (relative), Create form controls.

Level 10-Intermediate Excel

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Rename a worksheet, Copy or Move worksheets, Link worksheets and consolidate data. Advanced Excel: Use Relative References, Absolute References, Work with Scenarios, Use Goal Seek, Use the Auditing Toolbar to trace errors. Calculate Revenue, Create a grand total from several spreadsheets, Understand Absolute and Relative References.

Level 11-Beginning PowerPoint

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Navigate different views, Create a presentation from a template or a wizard, Use the Outline View, Use Bullets and numbers, Work with Graphics, Work with text boxes, Use the Slide Sorter, Add slide transitions, View the Slide Show, Modify the Slide Master, Insert headers and footers, Apply formatting, Add and group shapes, Animate text and objects, Custom Animation, Animation Effects, On screen navigation tools, Add and Print speaker notes.

Level 12-Advanced Word and Excel

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Create and modify forms, Make controls: Drop Down Lists, Date and Time Fields, Protect the document, Activity: Create an on-line form with drop down lists and default text values. Advanced Excel: Create a PivotTable, Use PivotTable auto format, Analyze data with a PivotTable.

Level 13-Advanced Topics

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Create and edit styles, Create a Table of Contents, Use Headers and Footers, Create Section Breaks, Use the Document Map. Advanced Excel: Filter the Data, Create Subtotals, Group and Outline Data, Use the VLookup Function.

Level 14- Advanced PowerPoint

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Use advanced formatting and design, Add new slides from an Outline, from Word, from another presentation, Modify the slide design, customize a presentation with sound, narration, and action buttons. Prepare a presentation for different formats: speaker, kiosk, CD.

Level 15: Beginning Access

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Use and design tables, forms, and queries in Microsoft Access, create Queries to find and select records by criteria, write and test update queries.

Level 16: Intermediate Access

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: Create forms with subforms to represent one-to-many relationships, use criteria, parameters, concatenation, and operators in Query designs: calculate with DateDif(),Left(), and IIF(), improve report designs with Sorting and Grouping.

Level 17: Advanced Access

At the end of this unit, the student will be able to: link information and automate data entry, create a Search Form that uses a Combo Box to filter the records, use Microsoft Access and Word together in a Mail Merge, as well as publish an Access report to Word, optimize a database for multiple users.