Description

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) program is the only comprehensive, performance-based certification program approved by Microsoft to validate business computer skills using Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007: Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, and Outlook.  MCAS certification is the globally recognized standard for validating expertise with the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of programs.

Certification can help you differentiate yourself in today's competitive job market, broaden your employment opportunities, and garner greater earning potential. Certification can also help you advance in your current job. Mastering more skills increases your effectiveness and efficiency. Research indicates that certified professionals are more confident and productive with Microsoft programs.

Many employers consider certification when determining who to hire. Certification can be the difference in whether or not you get a job or get a better job. Students who complete MOS or MCAS certification training earn more (about 12% more) than employees who aren't certified. In addition, 82% of the students who get certified report getting a bonus upon receiving their certification.

Microsoft Approved Courseware
When you use Approved Courseware for the Microsoft Certified Application Specialist and Microsoft Office Specialist programs to help prepare for Microsoft Office certification exams, you know you're using the very best study materials available.

In order for courseware to receive the Approved Courseware distinction, it must go through a rigorous review to ensure it meets the skill standards set forth by Microsoft. This is the first online Microsoft Office 2007 MCAS certification training course approved by Microsoft.

Outline

1. Getting Started: Beginning Word
2. Mice and Men: Beginning Word
3. WYSIWYG: Beginning Word
4. Save it for a Rainy Day: Beginning Excel
5. Open for Business: Beginning Excel
6. Be My Neighbor: Intermediate Word
7. Charlotte's Web Site: Intermediate Word
8. The Paperless Office: Outlook
9. What Time Is It? Intermediate Excel
10. Sound Advice: Intermediate Excel
11. Get Smart: Advanced Word and Excel
12. The Good, The Bad, and the Really Ugly: Advanced Word and Excel
13. Reach for the Stars: Beginning PowerPoint
14. Show Me: Advanced PowerPoint
15. The Opening Scene: Beginning Access
16. The Director's Cut: Intermediate Access
17. The Indie Scene: Advanced Access

Demo

Additional Info

Languages

English

Course Length

240.00 hours

Duration of Access

All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. When you register for a program, you are given 90 days (three months) to complete the program. If you need more time, three-month extensions are available.

Instructor

Clair Dickinson earned her B.S. in secondary English at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and is certified to teach English and history at the high school level. She also met all of the standards for teaching with technology as outlined by COATT (Consortium for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching with Technology.) Clair is considered highly qualified to teach computer courses, including Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

Clair is currently working on a Master's degree in educational media and technology through Eastern Michigan University's online distance learning program. The program explores ways to infuse technology into the learning experience so that learning is interactive.

Elizabeth Ann Nofs is co-founder and the creative director for Comma Project, LLC. Her research on how men and women approach computer learning provided the foundation for the Comma Method of training, as well as The Computer Mama Show, a pilot produced with WFUM/TV28 (PBS), Flint, Michigan.

Elizabeth is the designer and developer of the Complete Computer Guide series. The teaching methodology incorporated into the guide series is a breakthrough in producing gender-balanced training with outstanding student completion, retention, and mastery rates.

Elizabeth has been a network administrator for many businesses as well as a Microsoft course instructor. Elizabeth has taught several thousand men and women from government, manufacturing, small business, and education. She has developed Microsoft Office solutions and databases since 1993.

She's the author of several books, including: The Computer Mama Guide to Computers (2001), The Comma Method of Computer Training (2003), The Comma Teachers Edition (2003), and The Complete Computer Guide (2005).

Elizabeth received her B.A. degree in Biology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Prerequisites/Audience

To enroll in this program, you should have basic computer skills and be comfortable using an Internet browser and selecting commands from a menu or toolbar.

This program is for you if you're an office worker, manager, entrepreneur, or other professional who wants to start using advanced Microsoft skills immediately. This program is also suitable for you if you're looking to learn about this software and expand your job possibilities.

Requirements/Materials Included

You'll need the following Microsoft products already installed on your computer in order to take this program: Windows XP or Windows Vista, and Microsoft Word 2007.

Hardware requirements:

• IBM-compatible (PC) computer
• Processor: 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64)
• RAM: 1 GB of system memory
• Hard Drive: 40 GB with at least 15 GB of available space
• Video: support for DirectX 9 graphics with WDDM Driver
• 128 MB of graphics memory
• Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware
• 32 bits per pixel
• DVD-ROM drive
• Audio output
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Flash Player

Internet connectivity: if your Internet service provider uses only dial-up, a minimum of 56K connection rate is recommended; however, high-speed access (cable or DSL) is preferred.

This program cannot be taken from a Mac computer.

Books included with this program:

• The Beginning Guide to Microsoft Word 2007
• The Intermediate Guide to Microsoft Word 2007
• The Advanced Guide to Microsoft Word 2007
• The Beginning Guide to Microsoft Excel 2007
• The Intermediate Guide to Microsoft Excel 2007
• The Advanced Guide to Microsoft Excel 2007
• The Complete Guide to Microsoft Outlook 2007
• The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
• The Beginning Guide to Microsoft Access 2007
• The Intermediate Guide to Microsoft Access 2007
• The Advanced Guide to Microsoft Access 2007
• The Complete Guide to Windows Vista

This program also includes 180-day FREE trial of Microsoft Office 2007 Professional and Microsoft Office 2007 and Windows Vista CourseNotes from Course Technology.