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This Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) Training Program will teach you the skills needed to become a successful administrative professional using the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of programs. You'll receive training on the most popular Microsoft Office 2007 programs, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook, running on the Vista operating system. In addition, you can opt to take introductory QuickBooks training. Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be prepared to take the MCAS certification exam offered by Microsoft.

Over 4.3 million secretaries and administrative assistants are employed in the United States, according to  statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor, making administrative professionals the largest segment of the office workforce! This online career training program will provide you with administrative professional training and will 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) on the Vista operating system. An optional QuickBooks training module is also available.

Administrative professionals are handling a wider variety of duties beyond strictly clerical roles. Today's administrative professional often 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; and more. This program will prepare you for all of the varied tasks you might encounter in a typical day.

About MCAS training:
The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) Training Program is the only comprehensive, performance-based certification program approved by Microsoft to validate business computer skills in the Microsoft Office Suite.  This program provides computer-program literacy, measures proficiency, and identifies opportunities for skills enhancement. You will receive a certificate of completion from the college upon successfully  finishing this program. You'll then be well prepared to take the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Tests.

Students who complete Microsoft Office certification training earn more (about 12%) than employees who aren't certified. In addition, 82% of the students who become certified report getting a raise upon receiving their certification. The need for Microsoft Office training is vast—it's now a requirement in education, as well as in virtually all business, technical, and professional jobs.

How  to Become MCAS Certified
To earn the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) certification you must pass one or more certification exams offered by Microsoft.

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

Note: You 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. See the PC Requirements page  for more technical requirements.

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

Upon successful completion of the Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training Program, you should be able to:

• Determine major business challenges and provide possible solutions
• Set clear business goals and make informed decisions
• Demonstrate effective verbal, nonverbal, and written communication
• Create and deliver business presentations using visuals
• Develop and train staff on effective customer service skills
• Describe types of computers, input and storage devices, and networks commonly found in businesses
• Understand the importance of records management
• Demonstrate efficient meeting management
• Develop a clear career plan and advancement strategies

Upon successful completion of the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist section of the Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Program, you should be able to use the Microsoft Office suite of software effectively and knowledgeably.  Each program and the skills you'll learn are listed below.

Microsoft Excel
You'll learn to:

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

Microsoft Word
You'll learn to:

• Create a document
• Format fonts, paragraphs, bullets, and tables
• Use tables for online forms and Web page designs
• Automate mail merges
• Share documents with a workgroup

Microsoft PowerPoint
You'll learn 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 slideshow for live presentations and kiosk demonstrations

Microsoft Outlook
You'll learn to:

• Use e-mail and 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 Access

Microsoft Access
You'll learn 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

1. Administrative Professional
2. The Dynamic Workplace
   1. The Workplace—Constantly Changing
   2. Workplace Team and Environment
   3. The Virtual Workplace
3. Workforce Behaviors
   1. Your Professional Image
   2. Anger, Stress, and Time Management
   3. Ethical Theories and Behaviors
4. Communication Essentials
   1. Written Communications
   2. Verbal Communication and Presentations
   3. Customer Service
5. Technology Basics
   1. Technology Update
   2. Workplace Mail and Copying
   3. Telecommunications—Technology and Etiquette
6. Records and Financial Management
   1. Managing Records
   2. Personal Finance
7. Meetings and Travel
   1. Event Planning
   2. Travel Arrangements
8. Career Advancement
   1. Job Search and Advancement
   2. Leadership
9. Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Units
10. Beginning Windows
    1. Format Text and Use Commands
    2. Beginning Hardware Troubleshooting
    3. File Management and Administration Features and Procedures
11. Word
    1. Beginning
       1. Editing Functions
       2. Insert and Resize Pictures
       3. Time-stamp Documents
    2. Intermediate
       1. Create and Format Tables
       2. Use Mail Merge
       3. Save as Web Page
    3. Advanced
       1. Create and Modify Forms
       2. Protect the Document
12. Excel
    1. Beginning
       1. Insert and Delete Rows and Columns
       2. Apply Number Format (Currency and Percent)
       3. Use Functions: Average and IF
    2. Intermediate
       1. Worksheets
       2. Absolute and Relative References
       3. Auditing Tool Bar
    3. Advanced
       1. Pivot tables
       2. Online Form With Drop-down Lists
       3. VLookup Function
13. PowerPoint
    1. Beginning
       1. Create a Presentation From a Template or Wizard
       2. Work With Graphics and Text Boxes
       3. Animation Effects
    2. Advanced
       1. Sound Effects
       2. Import Slides From Other Programs
14. Access
    1. Beginning
       1. Create Queries
       2. Use and Design Tables
       3. Write and Test Update Queries
    2. Intermediate
       1. Create Forms With Subforms
       2. Use Criteria and Parameters
       3. Sorting and Grouping
    3. Advanced
       1. Automate Data Entry
       2. Create Mail Merge
       3. Optimize a Database for Multiple Users
15. Outlook
    1. Use Mail Features
    2. Create a Distribution List
    3. Work With Attachments
    4. Archive Messages
    5. Handle Junk Mail