Business Technology Department

A cooperative work program is available for students who want to combine classroom training with on-the-job work experience. Students may earn money, obtain work experience, and earn college credit hours under this cooperative Business Technology Program.

Program Objectives

The Business Technology program offers students the opportunity to:

Ð provide technical office support to employers.

Ð develop strong human relations skills-understand the importance of Ògetting alongÓ and learn ways to build and maintain good working relationships with both coworkers and supervisor.

Ð assume responsibility for their professional development and ethical standards.

Ð develop expertise in computer software applications (WordPerfect, Word, Excel and Lotus), office procedures, and business communications.

Ð acquire specialized knowledge related to the law office*-learn basic legal terminology, prepare legal documents, and acquire specialized legal/paralegal knowledge.

Ð All A.A.S. degree students with a degree plan after 1995 must present a portfolio in Co-op.

Ð Beginning in fall 1997,

(*Refer to Articulation Agreement with local independent school districts.)

Mission

The mission of the Business Technology Department is to serve the binational, bicultural, bilingual community of the lower Rio Grande Valley with quality technical education and work experience in cooperation with area business, industry and government. The Business Technology Department seeks to prepare students to enter the workforce after one or two years of specialized training in accounting, international business, legal studies and office technology.

Business Technology Programs

UTB/TSC offers a variety of programs in Office Technology, Accounting and International Business. These technical programs offer students the opportunity to prepare for professional business careers. Additionally, a cooperative education combines classroom training with on-the-job work experience. Students may earn money, gain work experience, and earn college credit under this cooperative education class.

Graduates are employed in diverse positions in entities such as educational, governmental and service agencies; banking, legal, retailing, manufacturing, custom brokers and maquiladoras.

Student Portfolios:

A Student Portfolio is required for all A.A.S. office technology degrees as well as the Legal Assisting Certificate. The portfolio must be submitted and approved by department faculty prior to graduation.

A Student Portfolio is a systematic, organized collection that documents the knowledge, skills and specialized training students acquired in their business technology program.

This portfolio assists the student in evaluating his/her skills and abilities and gives the student an edge in todayÕs job market. A Student Portfolio Guide is distributed during advising and orientation sessions. The guide is also available in the department office. A special topics class, POFT 1192, is offered to assist students in preparing the portfolio. This class should be taken during the final semester.

Accounting

Certificate of Proficiency

Ð Accounting Technology (three semesters)

Associate in Applied Science

Ð Accounting Technology

International Business

Certificate of Proficiency

Ð International Business (two semesters)

Associate in Applied Science

Ð International Business

Legal Careers

Certificate of Proficiency

Ð Legal Assisting/Paralegal (three semesters)

Associate in Applied Science

Ð Legal Secretarial

Office Careers

Certificate of Proficiency

Ð Office Specialist (two semesters)

Associate in Applied Science

Ð Office Specialist

Ð Word Processing Specialist

Tech-Prep Business Technology

For high school course articulation information, please contact the Business Technology Department Office.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Certificate of Proficiency Ð Accounting Technology

Freshman Year

First Semester Credit hours

ACNT 1403 Introduction to Accounting I 4

BMGT 1301 Supervision 3

BMIS 11XX Select 1 one-hour BMIS course* 1

BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business 3

COSC 1310 Computer Systems 3

Total 14 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ACNT 1413 Computerized Accounting Applications 4

ACNT 1229 Payroll & Business Tax Accounting 2

ACNT 1404 Introduction to Accounting II 4

MRKG 1311 Principles of Marketing 3

BMIS 11XX Select 1 one-hour BMIS course* 1

Total 15 hours

Third Semester Credit hours

ACNT 1411 Introduction to Computerized Accounting 4

ACNT 2366 Practicum-Accounting 3

Total 7 hours

Total number of hours required 36 hours

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Certificate of Proficiency Ð International Business

First Semester Credit hours

BMIS 1XXX Select 3 one-hour BMIS course* 1

BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business 3

ACNT 1403 Introduction to Accounting I 4

BMGT 1301 Supervision 3

IBUS 2331 International Human Resource Management or

IBUS 1301 Principles of Imports-Exports I 3

Total 16 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ACNT 1404 Introduction to Accounting II 4

MRKG 1311 Principles of Marketing 3

IBUS 2341 International Comparative Management or

IBUS 2345 Import Customs Regulations 3

IBUS 2339 International Banking & Finance 3

IBUS 2366 Practicum/Field Experience-International Business 3

Total 16 hours

Total number of hours required 32 hours

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Certificate of Proficiency Ð Office Specialist

Provides students with the basic technical skills needed as an office specialist in todayÕs modern office. A department exit exam must be passed before certificate is awarded.

First Semester Credit hours

ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing 3

POFT 1329 Keyboarding and Document Formatting or 3

POFT 2303 Speed and Accuracy Building 3

POFT 1302 Business Communications I 3

POFT 1313 Professional Development for Office Personnel 3

POFT 1331 Business Machine Applications 3

Total 15 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ITSW 2331 Advanced Word Processing 3

POFT 1309 Administrative Office Procedures I 3

POFT 1319 Records & Information Management I 3

POFT 2303 Speed and Accuracy Building or

POFT 2301 Document Formatting & Skillbuilding 3

POFT 2312 Business Communications II 3

Exit Exam P=Passed Blank=Pending *

Total 15 hours

Total number of hours required 30 hours

Credit Hour Summary

Technical 30 Credit hours

Total 30 Credit hours

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Certificate of Proficiency Ð Legal Assisting Specialist (*Tech-Prep)

A certificate program to prepare students for a challenging career in the legal field as a paralegal or legal assistant.

Fall Semester Credit hours

ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing 3

LGLA 1313 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3

LGLA 1345 Civil Litigation 3

POFL 1305 Legal Terminology 3

BUSG 2317 Business Law/Commercial 3

Total 15 hours

Spring Semester Credit hours

ITSW 2331 Advanced Word Processing 3

LGLA 2303 Torts and Personal Injury Law 3

LGLA 2307 Law Office Management 3

POFL 2301 Legal Document Processing 3

LGLA 1303 Legal Research 3

Total 15 hours

Third Semester Credit hours

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts & Probate Administration 3

LGLA 1355 Family Law 3

LGLA 1305 Legal Writing 3

LGLA 2380 Cooperative Education-Paralegal/Legal Assistant 3

POFT 1192 Special Topics (Portfolio) 1

Total 13 hours

Total number of hours required 43 hours

Credit Hour Summary

Business Technology 43 Credit hours

Total 43 Credit hours

All A.A.S. degree students and three-semester certificate students must present portfolios for approval to the Business Technology faculty prior to graduation.

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Associate in Applied Science Ð Accounting Technology (*Tech-Prep)

Designed for students anticipating employment after two years of college work. Includes fundamental principles and practices of accounting. Individuals in this Program of Study should acquire the skills necessary to enter beginning clerical positions in payroll, accounts payable/receivable, or general accounting.

Freshman Year

First Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1301* Composition I 3

COSC 1310 Computer Literacy 3

BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business 3

ACNT 1403 Introduction to Accounting I 4

BMGT 1301 Supervision 3

Total 16 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1302* Composition II 3

ACNT 1229 Payroll & Business Tax Accounting 2

ACNT 1404 Introduction to Accounting II 4

MRKG 1311 Principles of Marketing 3

PSYC 2301* Introduction to Psychology 3

Total 15 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester Credit hours

MATH 1314* College Algebra 3

ACCT 2401 Principles of Accounting I 4

ACNT 1411 Introduction to Computerized Accounting 4

ECON 2301* Macroeconomics 3

BUSG 2317 Business Law/Commercial 3

Total 17 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ACNT 1413 Computerized Accounting Applications 4

SPCH 1315* Fundamentals of Speech 3

BMIS 11XX Select 3 BMIS one-hour courses* 3

ACNT 2366 Practicum Ð Accounting 3

Elective 3

Total 16 hours

Total number of hours required 64 hours

Credit Hour Summary

Accounting/Business Technology 43

General Education 18

Electives 3

Total Semester Credit hours 64

(*Refer to Articulation Agreement with local independent school districts.)

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Associate in Applied Science Ð International Business (*Tech-Prep)

Freshman Year

First Semester Credit hours

BMIS 11XX Select 3 BMIS one-hour courses 3

BUSI 1301 Introduction to Business 3

ACNT 1403 Introduction to Accounting I 4

BMGT 1301 Supervision 3

IBUS 1301 Principles of Import-Exports I or

IBUS 2331 International Human Resource Management 3

Total 16

Second Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1301* Composition I 3

ACCT 2401 Principles of Accounting I 3

MRKG 1311 Principles of Marketing 3

IBUS 2341 International Comparative Management or

IBUS 2345 Import Customs Regulations 3

GEOG 1303* General World Geography 3

Total 16

Sophomore Year

First Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1302* Composition II 3

MATH 1314* College Algebra 3

ACCT 2402 Principles of Accounting II 4

ECON 2301* Macroeconomics 3

SPAN 1373* Basic Spanish for Bilinguals I or

SPAN 1313 Elementary Spanish I 3

Total 16

Second Semester Credit hours

SPCH 1315* Fundamentals of Speech 3

BUSG 2317 Business Law/Commercial 3

IBUS 2339 International Banking & Finance 3

SPAN 2317 Business Spanish 3

IBUS 2366 Practicum/Field Experience Ð International Business 3

Total 15

Total number of hours required 63 hours

Credit Hour Summary

InternationalÕ Business/Business Technology 42

General Education 21

Total Semester Credit hours 63

(*Refer to Articulation Agreement with local independent school districts.)

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Ð Legal Secretarial (*Tech-Prep)

Provides the legal studies student the technical office skills for a career as a legal secretary.

Freshman Year

First Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1301* Composition I 3

ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing 3

POFT 1302 Business Communications I 3

POFT 1305 Legal Terminology 3

POFT 1313 Professional Development for Office Personnel 3

POFT 2301 Document Formatting & Skillbuilding 3

Total 18 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ITSW 2331 Advanced WordProcessing 3

POFL 1359 Legal Transcription 3

POFT 1309 Administrative Office Procedures I 3

POFT 1319 Records & Information Management I 3

PSYC 2301* Introduction to Psychology 3

**Elective 3

Total 18 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester Credit hours

GOVT 2301* American Government I 3

LGLA 1353 Wills, Trusts & Probate Administration 3

LGLA 1355 Family Law 3

POFL 2301 Legal Document Processing 3

POFT 2380+ Cooperative Education 3

SPCH 1315* Fundamentals of Speech or 3

SPCH 1318* Interpersonal Communication

Total 18 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

BUSG 2317 Business Law/Commercial 3

LGLA 2307 Law Office Management 3

MATH 1314* College Algebra OR

MATH 1332* Math for Liberal Arts 3

POFT 1192 Special Topics (Portfolio) 1

POFT 2381+ Cooperative Education 3

**Elective 3

Portfolio A=Acceptable U=Unacceptable

Total 16 hours

Total number of hours required 70 hours

Credit Hour Summary

Business Technology 49 Credit hours

*General Education 15 Credit hours

**Electives 6 Credit hours

Total 70 Credit hours

** Electives may be any nondevelopmental course; one must be outside the major field.

+ Prerequisite: Consent of the Co-op Coordinator.

All A.A.S degree students and three-semester certificate students must present portfolios for approval by the Business Technology Faculty prior to graduation.

(*Refer to Articulation Agreement with local independent school districts.)

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) Ð Office Specialist (*Tech-Prep)

A two-year degree offered for students seeking a career as a general office specialist with a biliterate emphasis added to the technical skills.

Freshman Year

First Semester Credit hours

POFT 2303 Speed and Accuracy Building 3

POFT 1302 Business Communications I 3

POFT 1313 Professional Development for Office Personnel 3

POFT 1331 Business Machines Applications 3

ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing 3

Total 15 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

POFT 1309 Administrative Office Procedures I 3

POFT 1319 Records & Information Management I 3

POFT 2301 Document Formatting & Skillbuilding 3

POFT 2312 Business Communications II 3

ITSW 2331 Advanced Word Processing 3

Total 15 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1301* Composition I 3

PSYC 2301* Introduction to Psychology 3

ITSW 1304 Introduction to Spreadsheets 3

SPAN 1313* Elementary Spanish I or

SPAN 1373* Basic Spanish for Bilinguals I 3

POFT 2380+ Cooperative Education 3

Total 15 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ACNT 1391 Special Topics (Accounting for Office Professionals) 3

MATH 1314* College Algebra, or

MATH 1332* Math for Liberal Arts 3

SPAN 2317 Business Spanish 3

SPCH 1315* Fundamentals of Speech or

SPCH 1318* Interpersonal Communication 3

POFT 2381+ Cooperative Education 3

POFT 1192 Special Topics (Portfolio) 1

**Elective(s) 3

Portfolio A=Acceptable U=Unacceptable

Total 16 hours

Credit Hour Summary

Business Technology 46 Credit hours

*General Education 15 Credit hours

Total 61 Credit hours

** Electives may be any nondevelopmental courses; one must be outside of major field.

+ Prerequisite: Consent of the Co-op Coordinator.

All A.A.S degree students and three-semester certificate students must present portfolios for approval by the Business Technology Faculty prior to graduation.

(*Refer to Articulation Agreement with local independent school districts.)

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Associate in Applied Science

Provides students with the communication and word processing skills necessary for a position as a software application specialist in todayÕs high technology offices.

Freshman Year

First Semester Credit hours

ITSW 1301 Introduction to Word Processing 3

POFT 1302 Business Communications I 3

POFT 1313 Professional Development for Office Personnel 3

POFT 1331 Business Machine Applications 3

POFT 2303 Speed and Accuracy Building 3

Total 15 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

ITSW 2331 Advanced Word Processing 3

POFT 1309 Administrative Office Procedures I 3

POFT 1319 Records & Information Management 3

POFT 2301 Document Formatting & Skillbuilding 3

POFT 2312 Business Communications II 3

PSYC 2301* Introduction to Psychology 3

Total 18 hours

Sophomore Year

First Semester Credit hours

ENGL 1301* Composition I 3

ITSW 1304 Introduction to Spreadsheets 3

ITSW 1310 Presentation Media Software 3

POFT 2321 Machine Transcription 3

POFT 2380+ Cooperative Education 3

Total 15 hours

Second Semester Credit hours

MATH 1314* College Algebra, or

MATH 1332* Math for Liberal Arts 3

POFI 2331 Desktop Publishing for the Office 3

SPCH 1315* Fundamentals of Speech or

SPCH 1318* Interpersonal Communication 3

POFT 2381+ Cooperative Education 3

POFT 1192 Special Topics (Portfolio) 1

**Approved Elective 3

Portfolio A=Acceptable U=Unacceptable

Total 16 hours

Total number of hours required 64 hours

Credit Hour Summary

Business Technology 49 hours

*General Education 12 hours

**Electives 3 hours

Total 64 hours

* Approved General Education/Liberal Arts courses: SPAN 1373, GOVT 2301, 1301, SOCI 1301 or other approved elective.

** Electives may be any non-developmental courses; one must be outside of major field.

+ Prerequisite: Consent of the Co-op Coordinator.

All A.A.S degree students and three-semester certificate students must present a portfolio for approval by the Business Technology Faculty prior to graduation.

(*Refer to Articulation Agreement with local independent school districts.)