BIT - Business Software Specialist

The curriculum prepares students to apply commonly used computer applications to business tasks; for example, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, database, email, Internet research, and content management. Emphasis is on the use of computer systems to collaborate with others to solve business problems.

Based on Enrollment, Retention, and Success data in Business Information Technology programs from Fall 2016 through Spring 2021 available from the college's Equity Dashboard at this link:

https://pasadena.edu/institutional-effectiveness/data-dashboards/equity-dashboard.php

we project that 30-35 students will complete this Business Software Specialist Certificate annually.

Goals: The goal of the program is to prepare students to apply commonly used computer applications to business tasks; for example, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation graphics, database, email, internet research, and content management. Emphasis is on the use of computer systems to collaborate with others to solve business problems.

 

Objectives: The Objectives are to have the student achieve the following Student Learning Outcomes for this program, which are:

1. Analyze business problems to determine the best use of software applications to communicate solutions.
2. Develop creative, accurate, and professional methods for applying technology to solve business problems.
3. Employ technological tools to expedite workflow within an organization.

The mission of the program is successful student learning resulting in successful employment. Successful employment is defined as employment that supports the student's goal of beginning a career, advancing in a career, or of earning money while pursuing further education. 

The purpose of the program is to help students learn to use business computer software and technology to solve business problems that are encountered in any type of job or profession.  There are virtually no occupations that do not require basic business computing skills. The  program draws input from an Advisory Board comprised of representatives from business, industry, labor, and government. The Advisory Board meets annually and makes recommendations regarding the quality, content, and currency of the program and of each of the courses offered under the program.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
BIT 025 BIT 011 BIT 107 BIT 106 BIT 128	Survey of Computer Technology in Business Business Document Processing Business Software -  Windows Business Software - Introduction to Microsoft Office Business Software - Microsoft Word	3 2 1 3 2	S1 S1 S1 S1 S1
BIT 133 BIT 108 BIT 122 BIT 109 BIT 105 BIT 117	Business Software - Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook and Productivity Tools Internet Research for Business Business Software - Microsoft PowerPoint Business Software - Microsoft Access Collaborative Web-Based Workspaces	2 1 1 2 2 1	S2 S2 S2 S2 S2 S2

No active inventory records need to be made inactive or changed in connection with the approval of the review of this existing program. This program does not replace any existing program in the college inventory.

This is a 2-year review and no changes to the program are proposed based on our research; that is, we have reviewed the program against information at the Chancellor's office and compared the program to similar programs at California Community Colleges similar to Pasadena City College as follows: Chancellor’s Office Link: https://ictdmsector.org/business-applications/ Santa Monica College http://www.smc.edu/StudentServices/TransferServices/AreasofStudy/Documents/Associate_Degrees/computer_information_systems_as.pdf Santa Rosa Junior College https://portal.santarosa.edu/srweb/SR_ProgramOfStudy.aspx?MajorCertID=2099 Chaffey College https://www.chaffey.edu/counseling/majorsheets/occupational/BUSTEC_Microsoft_Word_and_Excel_MSOffice.pdf Fullerton College https://catalog.nocccd.edu/fullerton-college/degrees-certificates/computer-information-systems/office-applications-technician-certificate/ Irvine Valley College http://academics.ivc.edu/bus/cim/pages/degree.aspx

We project that annual enrollments will increase slightly over the past year and resemble those of the 2019-2020 academic year as shown by our Office of Institutional Effectiveness at this link: https://pasadena.edu/institutional-effectiveness/data-dashboards/equity-dashboard.php