Microsoft Office Specialist (0.5)
Course Number: 335191
EXAMPLE SYLLABUS | Resource Folder | Office 365 Directions (Optional)
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MSDE Business Administration Pathway
Grades 10 - 12 Prerequisite: Principles of Business Management or Principles of Finance and Accounting
This course is designed to prepare students for Microsoft Office certifications by providing comprehensive training and practical application in key Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or Office 365. Through structured lessons, hands-on exercises, and simulated assessments, students will develop the technical skills necessary for professional document creation, data analysis, presentation design, and effective communication. The course concludes with the opportunity for students to test for one or more Microsoft Office Certifications, validating their proficiency in these essential workplace tools. This certification serves as a valuable asset for career advancement and professional recognition that supports students to be career and college ready.
A computer lab is required for this course.
New for SY25
The CTE is pleased to share the edition of a new CTE course for SY25. This course serves the purpose of providing students with the opportunity to gain technical skills and earn a Microsoft Office industry certification. This course would be offered in 11th grade as a way to support existing Business Ed programming with a robust, certification aligned course while giving schools additional options for courses to pair with the 0.5 Health class that occurs in 11th grade. Students would have the opportunity to learn, practice, and test for one or more Microsoft certifications in Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
The goal of this course is to provide students and schools with scheduling options where an additional 0.5 credit is needed, expand the industry certification opportunities, and support our existing curriculum with extension and enrichment opportunities in this area. This course is not a substitute for any CTE courses within a CTE Pathway but complements all four pathways, Business Administration, Business Management, Marketing, and Finance & Accounting, aligning to the embedded standards and skills. An existing 1.0 credit class, Office Systems Management, has been truncated to a 0.5 credit, with only the Microsoft Office standards being used to create a course that has a defined focus on preparing students to be successful on the certifications. This industry certification course aligns with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future goal of 45% of high school graduates earning an industry certification by 2030-31
Performance Indicators
Performance Indicators
Students will demonstrate proficiency in creating, formatting, and managing professional documents in Microsoft Word, including the use of styles, tables, references, and collaboration tools aligned to the MOS Word Associate certification standards.
Students will develop and deliver visually effective presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, utilizing advanced features such as transitions, animations, multimedia elements, and slide masters to communicate ideas clearly and professionally.
Students will apply Microsoft Excel tools to organize, analyze, and visualize data, using formulas, functions, charts, and formatting techniques consistent with MOS Excel Associate exam requirements.
Students will integrate content across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to complete a capstone project, demonstrating the ability to transfer and apply skills across multiple Microsoft Office applications.
Students will prepare for and complete practice and/or official Microsoft Office Specialist Associate certification exams, demonstrating mastery of required technical competencies in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Students will explore digital workplace readiness skills, including file management, cloud collaboration, and the ethical use of productivity software, to support academic, career, and personal success.
Resources:
Course Goal: Prepare students to pass the MOS Associate certification exams in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Resource Folder
Resource Folder
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