Description:

This nationally recognized Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS) online certification preparation training program is comprehensive, practical, and effective. The Comma Method of Microsoft Office® training was designed to meet the needs of college students, educators, administrators, and business professionals. This course uses real-life examples to teach the skills that employers want their employees to have.

The Microsoft Certified Application Specialist Training program is the only performance-based certification program approved by Microsoft to assess and validate computer skills using Microsoft Office 2007® Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook, as well as Microsoft Windows Vista. This online certificate program is offered in partnership with major colleges, universities, and other accredited education providers. If you are currently using Windows XP and the Microsoft Office 2003 suite of programs, please click here to read the MOS 2003 program overview.

Goals:

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.

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.

This course teaches the exam objectives for the following certification tests:

• Exam 77-600: Windows Vista
• Exam 77-601: Microsoft Word 2007
• Exam 77-602: Microsoft Excel 2007
• Exam 77-603: Microsoft PowerPoint 2007
• Exam 77-604: Microsoft Outlook 2007
• Exam 77-605: Microsoft Access 2007

Grading System:

Confirmation of Completion awarded with passing score.

School Description:

Offered in connection with a college or university near you, our self-paced, online career courses are designed to launch you into your dream job.

Begin your course anytime. Textbooks are included, and you will have access to student support via phone, email, and chat 24 hours a day.

Click "Enroll Now" to find the partner school for the career course you want to take.

Instructor Bio: Elizabeth Ann Nofs

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 is a breakthrough in producing gender balanced training with outstanding student completion, retention, and mastery rates.

She is the author of 38 computer certification Guides including: The Complete Guide to Microsoft Office 2007 (2007), The Complete Computer Guide (2005), The Comma Method of Computer Training (2003), and The Comma Teachers Edition (2003).

Elizabeth received her B.A. degree in Biology from the University of Michigan., Ann Arbor. She is a Microsoft Certified Professional.

Clair E. Dickson earned her BS 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 Dickson 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.