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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 section of the Administrative Professional with Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training Program, the student should:

• Identify changes that are occurring in the workplace.
• Define common types of business organizational structures.
• Determine major challenges confronting both management and administrative professionals.
• Explain crucial skills and qualities for an administrative professional.
• Determine how an effective administrative professional sets goals and makes decisions.
• Identify virtual workplace considerations including personal characteristics, virtual workforce skills, and challenges.
• Describe an effective work environment for virtual workers.
• Describe the personal characteristics and work characteristics that contribute to a positive professional image.
• Identify the components of a professional appearance.
• Understand the conventions of business etiquette.
• Determine the effects of stress in the • Compose written communications.
• Apply characteristics of effective correspondence.
• Apply appropriate planning and writing guidelines.
• Engage in collaborative writing and research.
• Identify elements of effective verbal communication.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Explain how effective communication can help resolve conflicts.
• Prepare and deliver a verbal presentation using visuals.
• Describe the importance of effective customer service to an organization.
• Identify characteristics of companies that value customer service.
• Develop effective customer service skills.
• Describe types of computers, input devices, storage devices, and networks commonly found in businesses.
• Describe the function of applications software and systems software.
• Understand threats and solutions related to computer security and privacy.
• Identify telecommunications messaging services and the etiquette associated with their use.
• Understand the importance of records management.
• Describe the considerations in managing paper and electronic records.
• Identify the factors associated with records retention, transfer, and disposal.
• Describe the characteristics of effective meetings and the wide variety of meeting formats.
• Implement organizational travel procedures.
• Understand your skills, interests, and abilities as they relate to a career.
• Determine a job search plan.
• Identify sources of job information and research organizations of interest.
• Prepare a resume and letter of application.
• Demonstrate effective interview skills.
• Develop job advancement strategies.
• Define leadership and describe leadership traits.
• Define management and describe the functions of management.
• Determine the administrative professional’s job responsibilities.
• Discuss the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet and physical exercise.


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


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 Access.

Length: 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

I. The Dynamic Workplace

A. The Workplace - Constantly Changing
B. Workplace Team and Environment
C. The Virtual Workplace

II. Workforce Behaviors

A. Your Professional Image
B. Anger, Stress, and Time Management
C. Ethical Theories and Behaviors

III. Communication Essentials

A. Written Communications
B. Verbal Communication and Presentations
C. Customer Service

IV. Technology Basics

A. Technology Update
B. Workplace Mail and Copying
C. Telecommunications — Technology and Etiquette

V. Records and Financial Management

A. Managing Records
B. Personal Finance

VI. Meetings and Travel

A. Event Planning
B. Travel Arrangements

VII. Career Advancement

A. Job Search and Advancement
B. Leadership

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.