Is Interactive/Online Career Training Right for You? Take The Quiz
Get the Skills to Be a Business Professional
Prepare for a career in business with the Professional Business Systems degree program at Laurus College and enjoy our full support
Professional Business Systems Training in 2 Years*
Do you possess self-motivation, good time management skills, and a desire to succeed?
There’s a good chance you’re cut out for a career in numerous business fields if you get the right skills! You just need to develop your knowledge of accounting, marketing, and office management.
With your initiative and our support, we thrive.
Our Occupational Associate Degree program in Professional Business Systems prepares you for a career in business, whether that be working for a corporation, startup, or following your own entrepreneurial ambitions.
All the Things You’ll Learn
The Professional Business Systems program gives students the opportunity to build a strong foundation for understanding business operations while also enhancing their skills in communication, digital presentations and business software.
Course List
This course is designed as a survey course that explores the functions of modern business, including an overview of marketing, management, ethics, social responsibility, and human resources management. The course introduces common terminology, concepts, topical readings and current issues in business, while fostering critical and analytical thinking skills. Credits: 5
In this course students gain an understanding of the word processing software Microsoft Word. Students in this course create numerous Microsoft Word documents, and apply various techniques such as editing and proofing, formatting text, cutting and pasting, saving and deleting. Students use tables, styles, and graphics to build documents such as business letters, letterhead, envelopes, and flyers. Students also learn how to perform a mail merge using Word’s powerful Mail Merge feature. This course gives students the foundation to work effectively with this software and to market their acquired skills to potential employers. Credits: 5
This course covers the fundamentals of financial accounting, including double-entry accounting and the accounting cycle. Other topics include cash, receivables, inventories, plant assets, liabilities, partnerships, corporation, investments, statement of cash flows, and interpretation of financial statements. Credits: 5
This course covers basic Microsoft Excel skills that include creating, modifying, and formatting a worksheet, and turning the data into highly functional charts. Students begin to experiment with basic functions and formulas and learn to automate spreadsheet tasks. Students build and edit worksheets, work with cells and cell ranges, format cell contents and values, and manage workbooks. Credits: 5
Students in this course are exposed to basic issues in starting a business. Topics may include capitalization, staffing, subcontracting, permits, facilities, and basic business planning. The course offers students practical exercises to begin strategic development of a business and offers practical problems and issues in the startup phase of building a successful organization. Credits: 5
Students in this course gain an understanding for creating electronic presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. Topics in this course may include working with template slides, formatting slides, working with layouts, working with graphics, creating charts, and adding animation. Students also study methods and techniques for giving presentations using this exciting software. Credits: 5
Students in this course study the responsibilities for managing a business. Topics studied in this course may include making a business plan, cost planning and budgeting, development of the business and the business accounts, and the basics of buying and selling a business. This course introduces students to the foundations of business management, and how to apply those foundations to open a new business or to improve upon an already existing business. Credits: 5
In this course, students study the nuances of promotion, advertising, and consumer spending, and how those concepts can be applied to getting the word out about a company, product or service. Students learn about planning effective advertising campaigns by analyzing public demand for a particular product or service, and the products offered by the competition. Students also learn about the different methods of marketing, and how technology has impacted the way marketing is handled for both big and small companies. Credits: 5
In this course, students study the nature of Human Relationships. This includes group and individual behaviors, improving productivity and quality through correct motivation, developing employees, correctly rewarding employees, and dealing with a variety of job related conflicts. Students learn about the human element related to the work environment and methods to achieve an effective fit between people and the organizational systems. Credits: 5
In this course, students study the nuances of the legal environments including law, business strategy, and business ethics. Topics covered in this course include administrative law, international law, business crime, torts, contracts, and business related legal issues. Students also learn about antitrust law, intellectual property, agency law, employee regulations, business associations, and securities law that apply to small and big business alike. Credits: 5
This course prepares students to develop and implement project plans when working to complete assigned projects. Topics in this course may include defining project goals and objectives, specifying tasks or how goals will be achieved, establishing needed resources for project completion, and associating budgets and completion timelines. Students study the major phases of project management including project feasibility, planning, implementation, evaluation, and support. Project management software will be used by students to gain an understanding of how to best organize and delegate their project. Students gain an understanding of how to manage projects and how these skills may be applied to an individual project or a group project. Credits: 5
This course focuses on the management of personal finance. Broad coverage of personal financial decisions, including basic financial planning, use of credit, purchasing an automobile and home, insurance, tax issues, investing, retirement, and estate planning. Credits: 5
This course examines decision making, strategic thinking, and communications for complex issues. Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize different approaches to developing written action plans for solving today’s issues in the modern age. Credits: 5
This course serves as an introduction to the necessary core skills needed to be successful at an academic, professional and personal level. Students will identify core skills, values and interest to assist in their path to success. Topics covered in this course may include time management, effective study skills, written and oral communication, improving critical thinking to enhance problem-solving skills. Other topics may include job search techniques and job etiquette, and on-the-job behavior. Students will work towards building their professional development through various assignments and topics throughout the course. Students will explore Laurus College resources for success inside and outside the classroom. Credits: 5
Students in this course explore written and oral communication as a skill to be mastered and applied. Instruction covers communication strategies and conventions of written expression including idea generation, paragraph development, and essay construction. The writing portion of this course concentrates on the development of clear and organized sentences, paragraphs, and compositions, and their applications to real world documents such as cover letters, resumes, and memos. Students examine grammar, vocabulary and the writing process, and may apply the skills learned to multiple forms of writing. Students also explore oral communication skills used in a business setting, and how to effectively communicate written ideas. Other topics may include presentation skills, etiquette, interpersonal skills and delivery techniques. Students will be expected to deliver oral and written presentations to the instructor and classmates. Credits: 5
Students in this course explore written and oral communication as a skill to be mastered and applied at a more sophisticated level. Instruction covers complex communication strategies and conventions of written expression focusing on concept development, report construction. The writing portion of this course concentrates on the development of clear and organized complex structures and their applications to real world documents. Students will be expected to deliver oral and written presentations to the instructor and classmates. Credits: 5
This math course is a thorough review and study of algebraic concepts, functions, and operations, utilizing a balanced approach of basic algebraic theories with practical applications and conceptual understanding. Students review mathematical concepts including addition, subtraction, multiplication, fractions and decimals as it applies to business operations. Students gain an understanding of basic mathematical and algebraic concepts and functions needed for the world of business including but not limited to account balancing, payroll, depreciation, profit and loss calculations, interest calculations, problem solving, probability theory, and decision making. Credits: 5
This course focuses on professional communication in the 21st workplace. Students in this course will hone their communication skills by working on various assignments and projects, including: face-to-face conversations, collaborative work groups, presentations, and interviews. Lectures include topics in nonverbal communication, cultural differences, organizational fit, and networking within specific industries through face-to-face interactions and via social networking sites, such as Facebook and LinkedIn. By the end of the course, students will have prepared industry specific portfolios and taken part in mock interviews specific to their field of study. Credits: 5
This course introduces students to the World Wide Web. Students examine the history of the web and how its development has shaped the ways people do business and advertise. Students gain an understanding for the complexity of the web and how servers, users, and databases all work, search, access information, and download simultaneously. Topics in this course may include the basics of HTTP, FTP, HTML language and tags, coding styles, links, image placement, and image maps. Students learn the importance of web page appearance and navigation. Students are introduced to the basics of initial web page planning and production, and learn key terminology applied to web page creation and implementation. Credits: 5
This course introduces students to the World Wide Web. Students examine the history of the web and how its development has shaped the ways people do business and advertise. Students gain an understanding for the complexity of the web and how servers, users, and databases all work, search, access information, and download simultaneously. Topics in this course may include the basics of HTTP, FTP, HTML language and tags, coding styles, links, image placement, and image maps. Students learn the importance of web page appearance and navigation. Students are introduced to the basics of initial web page planning and production, and learn key terminology applied to web page creation and implementation. Credits: 5
* General Education Course
Among the topics covered in this Occupational Associate Degree program are:
Financial Accounting
Principles of Marketing
Business Start-up Strategies
Digital Presentations
Principles of Management
Business Communications
Digital Graphics
Internet Fundamentals
Personal Finance
Project Management
Here’s How You’ll Grow with Us
Upon completion of the Professional Business Systems Occupational Associate degree, students should be able to:
Demonstrate an understanding of the key functions of business, including accounting, economics, management, marketing, and regulations
Understand the role of human motivation and relationships in an organization
Show proficiency in effective leadership skills, including communication and problem solving skills
Identify the basics for starting a business, including legal structure, local and state regulations, and the dilemmas faced by entrepreneurs
Apply the basic principles of marketing and develop a marketing plan
Create and edit documents using Microsoft Office, presentation and desktop publishing software
Create and work with spreadsheets, charts, data and databases
Perform scholarly research
Is a Career in Business Right for You? Find Out!
Take the "Laurus College Business Career Training Readiness Quiz"
This fun, online quiz takes 3 minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for.
Business Systems professionals plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, human resources, accounting, marketing, facilities planning and maintenance, purchasing and event planning.
Grads with Professional Business Systems training may find employment in a wide range of interesting and rewarding positions, including
Administrative Services Manager
Marketing Specialist
Receptionist and Information Clerk
Executive Administrative Assistant
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk
File Clerk
and more!
With so many professional opportunities available to people with the right qualifications, Laurus can prepare you for a career that will take you to that next level in life.
The Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system is used by Federal statistical agencies to classify workers into occupational categories for the purpose of collecting, calculating, or disseminating data. The Professional Business Systems Occupational Associate Degree Program offered at Laurus College can help prepare graduates for a variety of careers that include, but are not limited to the list of careers that may be listed under the following SOC codes (for more information on a particular SOC code, visit www.onetonline.org):
SOC List
Compile data, compute fees and charges, and prepare invoices for billing purposes. Duties include computing costs and calculating rates for goods, services, and shipment of goods; posting data; and keeping other relevant records. May involve use of computer or typewriter, calculator, and adding and bookkeeping machines.
Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customer's account; preparing statements to credit department if customer fails to respond; initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection; and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, facilities planning and maintenance, custodial operations, and other office support services.
Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers.
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.
File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.
Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.
Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, stenography, office machine operation, and filing.
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
You already have a life. We appreciate that!
If you’re juggling work and a family, you’re busy. Our learning model gives you greater freedom and flexibility to learn on your own schedule.
That means you’re in control of your learning experience. All you have to do is make that crucial first move. And training with Laurus for a career in the business world, with all our dedicated support from Day 1 till you land that dream job, is always a smart choice.
With a program led by experienced professionals from the field, Laurus helps motivated people get the skills and experience to pursue careers in the challenging business world.
The best way to see if Laurus College is the right fit for you is to see it for yourself. You can tour our facilities by coming in to any of our campus locations, or we’re happy to set up a virtual tour with you. Book a Tour Now or Get more info.
Practical, Career-Focused Training that prepares you for an in-demand career.
Supportive Learning Environment where instructors care about your success.
Flexible Scheduling Options that include both day and evening classes.
Technology Included – Students attending classes in an Associate or Bachelor's Degree program are given the opportunity to receive hardware and software specific to audio production needed to complete their program.
Job Search Assistance through our Career Services Department, including resume & portfolio creation, interview preparation and live workshops.
* Program length when completed in normal time.
Get the Skills for the Rewarding Career You Want
Is a fulfilling career and a brighter future right for you? Get more info...
