Current Program

Business Administration offers occupational training in a variety of business skills leading to entry level positions or on-the-job promotions. Many of the courses are transferable to four-year colleges and may be used to complete the lower division requirements of many colleges and universities in such fields as Business Administration and the teaching of business subjects. Instruction is provided in accounting, general business, economics, management, marketing, real estate, and supervision. Computer Applications and Office Technologies programs are designed to provide students with computer competencies, specific technical skills, and the necessary tools for communicating, problem solving, and decision-making. The program includes courses that are integral to many different fields, and most courses include computer applications. Computer Information Systems offers courses to meet the demand for persons with solid knowledge in microcomputers, and the students who gain expertise in programming, networking, and Internet programming are highly marketable. Students enroll in Business / Office Administration / CIS courses for personal enrichment, for retraining or upgrading job skills, to obtain a degree or certificate, or to meet transfer requirements. Several factors have affected course offerings in recent years, including changes in the environment, population, economic conditions, students' basic skill levels, student interests and the increasing use of technology in the workplace and in the classroom.

Degrees and Certificates - In Business Administration, Associate in Arts degrees are offered in Accounting, General Business, Management/ Supervision, Marketing/Public Relations, Merchandising, Real Estate, and Retail Merchandising. Certificates are offered in Accounting, Accounting Clerk, General Business, Governmental Supervision, Management/ Supervision, Marketing/Public Relations, Real Estate, and Small Business Entrepreneurship. Associate in Arts degrees and Certificates of Completion also are offered in Computer Applications and Office Technologies, including Administrative Assistant, Information Processing, Medical Office Assistant and Office Assistant - Clerical. An Associate in Science degree and a Certificate of Completion are offered in Computer Information Systems.

Personnel - There are 15 full-time faculty members and six part-time faculty members at this time.

Teaching Methodologies - Lecture/lab, lecture/demonstration, large lecture/study groups, labs, service based and computerized learning are the predominant methods of teaching, although straight lecture, some self-paced learning and some distance learning also takes place.

Technology - At this time two courses are taught online in the department.

Equipment - Computers in classrooms need to be replaced every year. There is an immediate need for a laptop computer with overhead projection capabilities.

Facilities - Facilities are adequate and in good condition at this time.

Future Program

The program will need to adapt to meet changes in curriculum development, technology, student academic preparation and new college recruiting strategies. It is expected that enrollment in class offerings will increase at the same rate as overall college enrollment in both the mid term and the long term. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - New degrees and/or certificates may be offered to accommodate new systems and applications if indicated through the program review process.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - Changes in teaching methods will occur as more technology is brought into use in the classroom.

Technology - As technology in the classroom increases, more distance education will occur.

Equipment - In the next five years or so, existing computers will need to be replaced and additional new computers purchased as the programs grow and as changes in applications and software occur. Computerized overhead projection systems are needed in some classrooms

Facilities - As the programs grow, two or three additional classrooms will be needed, along with four or five additional labs. At least one large lecture room and three electronic classrooms will be needed, as well as five to seven additional faculty offices and a prep room for part-time faculty.

Staff Development - Workshops should be available on current office application technology techniques, effective teaching methods, and the use of presentation software such as PowerPoint; faculty need retraining and upgrading of skills in areas such as computer science.