Business

The Business Education Department at Shenendehowa High School provides an excellent opportunity for students to begin to develop the 21st Century skills, abilities, and understandings that will allow them to handle many professional and personal business affairs upon graduation. 

Financial literacy classes teach students the basics of money management: budgeting, saving, debt, investing, and giving.  That knowledge lays a foundation for students to build strong money habits early on and avoid many of the mistakes that lead to lifelong money struggles.  In addition, do you realize that about 20% of all college students major in business or a computer-related field of study and another 25% earn an advanced degree in business? This is not surprising when you consider most 21st century jobs will require a business and/or computer background.

These course offerings include a variety of learning experiences that will give students the basic skills and knowledge to be a successful participant in today’s society as a consumer, a citizen, and an employee. Whether they are planning to continue their formal education in college, at a vocational trade school, in the military, or enter directly into the workforce, the skills and abilities learned in these elective courses will be a valuable asset.

A large number of Shenendehowa High School students who pursue two or four-year college degrees will major in some aspect of business. Therefore, several of the business courses offered provide students the option to earn college credit through articulation agreements with some of the area’s finest colleges and universities, providing students who elect this option with an excellent head start in their college careers.

The department strives to prepare students for the fast-changing world by offering several courses essential to their personal, educational, and future employment success. 

The following information, in addition to the course descriptions that follow, should be helpful to students in planning their business course selections at Shenendehowa High School. 

• CEIP (Career Exploration Internship Program) is open to seniors only.  

• Students seeking an Advanced Regents Diploma may use a 5-unit business program as a substitute for the foreign language requirement.

• College Accounting, College Entrepreneur, College Personal Finance & Investment and College Marketing all are offered with an opportunity to take for college credit.

• College Finance & Investments can lead to a certification in financial literacy.

• Many of our Business Education classes feature presentations by local and regional business people who present practical applications to the theory presented in the classroom.

Business Courses 

Financial Literacy:  Money Matters

1 Semester .5 Unit

Course Description

Are you thinking about life after Shen?  Do you think you need a little help understanding all of the “money” related issues that you might be facing?  Banking? Credit Cards?  Taxes?  Insurance? Loans for school, home, and automobiles?  The list goes on and on.  If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, how about taking the new ½ year “Financial Literacy:  Money Matters” course.  We have designed this course for those of you who may not have had the chance or desire to take a business course but now realize that you need some guidance before you graduate.  We’ll give you the tools and experiences that will better prepare you for the world ahead of you.

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADE: 11 and 12

*This course has no prerequisites and is designed to fit flexibly into the schedule of students in any course or career progression.  This course is part of the NYSED approved CTE pathways: Child and Family Studies, Building Sciences, and Transportation Systems.

Computer Applications

1 Semester/ .5 Unit

Course description

This course is designed to fully utilize the capabilities of the Microsoft Office Suite – Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Access - and demonstrate to students how they are used to enhance productivity in their personal, academic, and professional lives. In addition, students are introduced to the basics of the Google productivity apps available on their Chromebooks:  Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms, Drawings, and Sites.  Students move from easy step-by-step learning to projects-based activities and exercises, building their competency, and developing a solid foundation in 21st Century technical literacy. An excellent opportunity to learn valuable and relevant computer skills required for future educational and work related tasks.

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 10-12.

Management and Leadership

1 Semester/ .5 Unit

Course description

This course explores the fundamental principles of management and leadership. It covers key topics such as organizational behavior, strategic planning, decision-making, team dynamics, and effective communication. Students will develop essential skills to lead and manage teams, drive organizational success, and adapt to an ever-changing business environment. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

Priority is given to students in grades 11 and 12.

Introduction to Business

1 Year/ 1 Unit

Course description

This course focuses on introducing students to a number of basic business concepts, and is designed to help students understand the fundamental importance of financial literacy, and prepare them for making sound personal business, economic, and career related decisions. Students learn to appreciate how business impacts their lives at the local, state, national, and world level. Topics include the economy, international trade, ethics, marketing, finance, and management. In addition, students are introduced to many personal finance topics such as the importance of becoming a wise and knowledgeable consumer, how banking and credit/loan services work, budgeting, insurance, and the career search process including resumes and interviewing skills. An introductory course that could lead to further study within the Business Education Program at Shenendehowa.

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 10-12

Principles of Accounting 

1 Year/ 1 Unit

Course description

Principles of Accounting is a comprehensive one-year course which presents accounting theory and practice. It is designed to provide basic accounting skills to those who plan immediate entry into the workforce or to those who plan to pursue a college degree in the areas of business, finance, accounting or management. Principles and techniques of double-entry accounting are taught. The nine step accounting cycle is presented; i.e. journalizing and posting of business transactions, completion of the trial balance and worksheet, the preparation of financial statements, and the adjusting of closing entries. Career opportunities in accounting and related fields are also discussed. Accounting is the “language of business”, and this skill-level course is of value to all students pursuing a strong background in business, marketing, and management. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 10-12

College Accounting/ACTG 110

1 Year/ 1 Unit

Course description

If you are thinking of pursuing a business degree in college, you should consider taking College Accounting in high school. It introduces students to the challenging and rewarding field of accounting and provides them with the opportunity to earn college credit. Students who register with Hudson Valley Community College will earn 3 college credits upon successful completion of the course.  General topics covered in this course revolve around corporate accounting and include the accounting cycle, internal controls, inventory, cash flows and analyzing financial statements. Accounting is one of the top majors and is a highly recruited career field. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 10-12

† College Credit: HVCC (ACTG110) 3 Credits

† HVCC charges students who register for college credit. Approximate cost is $210. Tuition assistance is available to those that qualify.

† Student may opt to take the course for only high school credit

College Principles of Marketing/MKTG 120 

1 Year/ 1 Unit

Course description

College Principles of Marketing is an introduction to marketing and the role it plays in our world. Specialized areas such as advertising, personal  selling, product development, physical distribution, pricing, marketing research, and international markets will be explored. This class is considered a foundation for all business classes, providing skills that can be applied in a variety of business and professional situations. College Principles of Marketing is an essential course for anyone interested in pursuing a career in business and marketing. This course can be taken for college credit through Hudson Valley Community College. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 11-12

College Credit: Hudson Valley Community College  (Mktg 120) 3 credits– Approximate cost of registration is $210.  Tuition assistance is available to those that qualify.

College Personal Finance and Investment/ACTG 120

1 year/ 1 unit

Course description

A vital course intended to help students understand the fundamentals of money management. Topics will include developing and managing personal financial resources, becoming familiar with financial institutions, consumer credit, college and career financial planning, the stock and bond markets, mutual funds, real estate, insurance, tax preparation, and successful financial planning for the future. Guest speakers from area banking, investment, real estate, and insurance companies will be invited to address current topics in their respective fields. Personal Finance and Investment is an essential course for anyone who will be managing money and investments in the future.  The W!SE Financial Literacy Certification Test is administered at the end of the course. Students who pass this exam become "Certified Financially Literate" indicating that student has met current national standards for knowledge of personal finance.  

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 10-12

† College Credit: Hudson Valley Community College (ACTG 120) 3 credits

† Hudson Valley Community College charges students who register for college credit. Approximate cost is $210. Tuition assistance is available to those that qualify.

† Student may opt to take the course for only high school credit

Business and Personal Law (NCAA Core) 

1 Semester/ .5 Unit

Course description

This course is intended to offer a core overview of Business and Personal Law. Topics to be covered will include, but are not limited to, foundation of law, contracts, civil law, criminal law, employment law, and entrepreneurial law.

Course Requirements/Recommendations

OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 10 -12

Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP)

1 Semester/ .5 Unit (Seniors only)

Course description

What is it like to be an accountant, doctor, graphic artist, auto mechanic or physical therapist? Why not find out before going to college or starting a career.  The Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP) is a non-paid internship experience that provides a link between school and career options. CEIP provides valuable hands-on experiences in a variety of career choices.  Working alongside their mentors, students discover the varying aspects of a prospective career, while learning what specific skills and education are needed for success. By interning in the professional world, students gain an understanding of the importance of positive work ethics, timeliness, and good study habits. In addition, they will have an opportunity to improve teamwork and human relations skills. Career related topics such as resume writing, interviewing, teamwork, time-management and health & safety in the workplace are introduced during the classroom component of the program. Emphasis is placed on strengthening written and oral communication skills needed in the workplace. 

Course Requirements/Recommendations

Students who plan to enroll in CEIP must meet the following criteria: 

• MUST provide their own TRANSPORTATION to internship assignments.

• No more than five referrals for violation of the Shenendehowa High School Code of Conduct in their junior year. Appeals may be considered on an individual basis.

• No more than 20 absences and/or tardies from school in their junior year. Consideration may be granted to students with extenuating circumstances.

• Parents and students will sign a contract documenting their understanding of the course expectations.

• Complete a minimum of 54 hours at their internship placement(s) (Required by NY State).

• Complete an equivalent of 27 hours of coursework through classroom experience or online instruction (Required by NY State).

• Interns may choose one or two career fields to explore.

• OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADE 12 ONLY