Beginning in the Fall of 2004, Susan became a new addition to the GRTS Business Department. She has 11 years teaching experience and several years of experience in the industry. Susan is a graduate of Marceline R-V High School and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from University of Missouri-Columbia.

E-mail Susan with any questions you may have about these courses.

Where Do I Begin?

The program is open to all high school graduates (or equivalent), as well as high school juniors and seniors. Juniors and seniors attend 1-hour classes of their choice. Adults attend four hours per day for nine months to complete the program (720 hours of instruction). Adult classes include one hour of accounting, one hour of computer applications, and two hours of business procedures each day.

Program Benefits

• Instructors who have national certification as Microsoft Office User Specialists
• State of the Art Equipment
• Summer Internships
• Supervised Business Experience
• Great Career Opportunities

College Credit

Students who successfully complete the business technology program with a B average or above and 90% attendance may receive up to 12 hours of articulated credit through North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri. High school students may earn up to six hours of dual enrollment credit in computer applications through GRTS and NCMC.

Where Can You Go From Here?

The successful completion of the business technology program can lead to employment in entry-level positions such as office assistants, bookkeepers, receptionists, and bank tellers.

Because technology is constantly changing, students will need to continue updating their skills. Some may wish to pursue either an Associate's Degree or a Bachelor's Degree in Business on a part-time basis while working. Others may choose to continue their education n a full-time basis, pursuing degrees in areas such as accounting, international business, business administration, business education, marketing, and finance.

A solid foundation in business can lead to unlimited career opportunities, as well as help individuals organize and manage their own financial records.

Entrepreneurship

Course Rationale: Instruction in this area prepares students to understand how to organize and operate a business. All students can benefit from an understanding of and appreciation for entrepreneurship and its role in the enterprise system. (Two ways to say it: on-treh-pruh-NER-ship or on-treh-pruh-NOOR-ship)

Description

Entrepreneurship is the act or process of getting into and managing one's own business enterprise. This course is designed to help students learn what they need to know to be entrepreneurs. Lessons will focus on the characteristics of entrepreneurs and lead students through the process of setting up a business. Students will learn how to spot opportunities, how to choose one that's right for him/her, and how to minimize the risks of running a business. Event students who choose not to run their own business will still benefit from utilizing the entrepreneurial way of thinking. The knowledge and skills of entrepreneurship can assist people along any paths they choose to follow for the rest of their lives.

Local entrepreneurs will be invited to be guest speakers, and students will have the opportunity to interview business owners. Students will learn about the legal and financial aspects of starting their own businesses. They will participate in a variety of group activities and presentations and will have the opportunity to complete their own business plans.

Textbooks: Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management (Copyright 2000) and The E in Me, The Entrepreneur in You (supplemental material)

Materials Needed: Textbook, notebook paper, folder, pencils/pens, and calculator

Evaluation Structure: Specific objectives will be given at the beginning of each unit. Individually, students are expected to read assigned material and complete work on time. Frequently, they will work in groups. Group work will involve case studies, research, written assignments, and oral presentations. The most in-depth project will be the development of individual business plans.

Computer Applications

Course Rationale: This area of instruction provides content for knowledge and skills required in the technology-based workplace. The demand will continue to expand for students prepared with a knowledge of and skills in word processing, spreadsheets, database, desktop publishing, and telecommunication. This training is vital for students planning to enter the workforce or continue training for a career in business.

Description

This computer applications course is designed to help students prepare for entry-level employment in the field of computers and information services and/or to help them prepare for more advanced college computer courses.  Students will receive instruction in the field of information processing, which includes hands-on experience utilizing word processing, desktop publishing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software.  Students will be using a Windows XP platform and Office 2003 integrated software suite.

This class is articulated through North Central Missouri College in Trenton upon completion.  Students will also have the opportunity to receive up to six hours of dual credit (BT160 and BT260) from NCMC.

Textbooks: Microsoft Office 2003 Introductory Concepts & Techniques; Computer Applications for Business

Evaluation Structure: Grades for this class are based on daily work, computer projects, skills tests, and written tests. Students' grades will be determined by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible. Other factors considered in determining the final grade are attendance, punctuality, work ethic, and class participation. These factors can make a difference if a student is on the borderline between, for instance, an A- and a B+. Due to the nature of the course, good attendance is essential for success in this class.

Banking and Finance

Description

Banking & Finance curriculum is based on the Missouri Personal Finance Competencies: Income, Money Management, Spending and Credit, and Saving and Investing. The instructional units include Goals and Decision making, Careers and Planning, Budgeting, Banking Services, Saving and Investing, Credit and Consumer Skills. Completion of this course satisfies the Personal Finance credit.

Textbooks: Managing Your Personal Finances, 5th Edition; Applied Business Mathematics, 14th Edition; Banking and Financial Systems, Copyright 2003; NEFE High School Financial Planning Program, Copyright 2006; Your Personal Guide to Loans and Credit; Your Checking Account

Materials Needed: Textbooks, calculator, pen/pencil, and paper

Evaluation: Grades for this class are based on daily class work, homework, and tests. Grades will be determined by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible. Work Ethic points will also be assigned weekly. These points will be determined by student’s punctuality, behavior, contributions to class and preparedness. Late assignments will be accepted for partial credit. The following grading scale will be used.

Business Dress Day: Once a quarter, students will be given the opportunity to earn 25 bonus points by participating in “Business Dress Day.” The day will be announced by the instructor each quarter. To earn the 25 points, the student must follow the FBLA dress code guidelines. Participation is optional.

Desktop Publishing

Course Rationale: This area of instruction provides content for employment in career areas which include desktop publishing skills. Demand in this area will continue to expand as businesses utilize advanced desktop publishing skills to increase their production efficiency and improve the creativity and quality of business documents and publications.

Description

This course is designed for students to gain knowledge and proficiency in the creation of various projects such as brochures, publications, posters, invoices, business cards, flyers, advertisements, and many other functional documents. Creativity and critical thinking will play a large part in this course.

This course introduces the novice publisher to the features of Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign and Illustrator, as well as Adobe Photoshop. Photoshop will be used throughout the class and incorporated into the activities completed throughout the year. The student’s will learn an overview of the software product’s capabilities and functions.

Textbooks: Microsoft Publisher 2003 Complete Concepts and Technique, Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe InDesign CS, Adobe PhotoShop CS

Evaluation Structure: Grades for this class are based on daily work, computer projects, skills tests, and written tests. Students' grades will be determined by dividing the number of points earned by the number of points possible. Other factors considered in determining the final grade are attendance, punctuality, work ethic, and class participation. These factors can make a difference if a student is on the borderline between, for instance, an A- and a B+. Due to the nature of the course, good attendance is essential for success in this class.