Business Department

Graduation Requirements

Every student must have .5 credit of Consumer Economics to graduate. In addition, students must have .5 credit of Vocational Education to graduate. This requirement may be fulfilled with any Business class other than the Consumer courses. The vast majority of Business offerings are electives open to students freshman through senior year.

Special Note

The Business Department is divided into four separate areas of study—each independent of the others:

• Professional Business: Business Orientation, Advertising, Management, Business Law, Entrepreneurship

• Computer Applications: Computer Applications I & II , Desktop Publishing, Word Processing, Data Management, Web Page Design, Multimedia Presentations

• Financial Management: Business Mathematics, Accounting I & II, Finance

• Personal Skills: Consumer Economics, Online Consumer Economics, Advanced Placement Microeconomics, Advanced Placement Macroeconomics, Notetaking & Study Skills, College Test Prep

There is sequencing within each area, but not among them. As this guide presents the offerings available at each year, the courses will be divided along the four areas of study.

Articulated Credit with College of DuPage

Students who will attend College of DuPage (COD) after graduation may earn college credit when the following courses are completed with a grade of “B” or higher in high school. Students must be taking at least one course at College of DuPage and apply for the credit within two years of graduation from high school to receive the articulated credit.

The course descriptions that follow serve as a guide to assist students in picking the classes that best suit their needs. We encourage parents to read all the descriptions carefully and to remain an active partner in their child’s education throughout his or her high school education. If you have any questions prior to registering, please call the Business Department Chair of the high school.

Business Department Graduation Check List

Graduation Requirements: Every student must have .5 credit of Consumer Economics to graduate. In addition, students must have .5 credit of Vocational Education to graduate. This requirement may be fulfilled with any Business class other than the Consumer courses. The vast majority of Business offerings are electives open to students freshman through senior year.

Required Business Courses

Freshman

While there are no required Business courses that freshmen must take, it is recommended that interested students consider pursuing one of the four areas during the first year in high school.

Sophomore

While there are no required Business courses that sophomores must take, many students see the practical application of the four business areas to their lives and take one or more courses.

Junior

While there are no required Business courses that juniors must take, it is recommended that interested students consider pursuing one of the four areas during their junior year.

Senior

Seniors must enroll in one of the following semester courses (.5 credit each) to meet the Consumer Economics graduation requirement:

• Advanced Placement Microeconomics

• Consumer Economics

• Online Consumer Economics
   
  OR
   

• Pass the Illinois Consumer Education Proficiency Test Given Twice Each Year

Students must take one of the above courses, but are also encouraged to continue their business education by taking one or more of the elective courses.

How do I know which course to take?

Advanced Placement Microeconomics
Students can meet the Consumer Economics graduation requirement with this college-level course. This is a rigorous course that prepares students for continued studies in college as well as for passing the Advanced Placement Microeconomics test in the spring. As a rule, this course is usually taken only by students who have successfully completed Advanced Placement U.S. History. Students without previous success in Advanced Placement classes may find this option too challenging and may prefer a different option. (.5 credit)

Consumer Economics
This is the traditional course most students take to fulfill the Consumer Economics graduation requirement. Students not wishing to undergo the rigors of an Advanced Placement class or the challenge of totally independent online work will most definitely want to take this option. (.5 credit)

Online Consumer Economics
This course offers students an alternative to the traditional classroom Consumer Economics course while still meeting the graduation requirement. The course is completely online and is only for students who are self-motivated and disciplined. Strong technological skills are not a requirement, but some comfort with using the Internet would be helpful. Any student considering this option should see his or her counselor for details and advice. (.5 credit)

Electives

How do I know which course to take?

Professional Business Area

Advertising (Grades 10,11,12)
Students interested in the principles of advertising and its place in the world find this a fascinating course. The theories and purpose of advertising will be studied along with the most successful advertising techniques that students will apply through various projects. There is a fee required to take this class. Most students who take this class have suggested that having completed Business Orientation first was very helpful. (.5 credit)

Business Internship (Grades 11,12)
Students who have completed or are taking a “capstone” course (Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Accounting II, Finance, Web Page or Multimedia) may take this cooperative work program. Students enrolled in this course work outside of school and also attend a class daily. The class generates two credits—one for the class and one for the on-the-job training. Students who take this class do NOT have to have early dismissal. This is such a unique option that students are strongly encouraged to meet with the teacher before registering for this course. (Two credits)

Business Law (Grades 11,12)
As its name suggests, this course examines issues of business and personal law. Students interested in the legal implications of business ethics, criminal and civil law, contracts, the minor and the law, and the court system in general, will find this a fascinating semester’s work. Students find the practical applications of this course to be many and varied. It reveals unseen aspects of the world in which they live daily. (.5 credit)

Business Orientation (Grades 9,10,11,12)
If a student is interested in the world of business, as a possible career or simply out of curiosity, then this is the course for him or her. All other courses in the Professional Business area stem from the basic information offered in this class. Many students who take this course continue in the Advertising class and then continue their business education by taking more business electives their junior and senior years. (.5 credit)

Entrepreneurship (Grades 11,12)
Students who would like a “hands-on” experience on how to write an individual business plan, which could actually be used to establish and run a small business, will find this a remarkable course. A panel of “real-world” business advisors will assist students in designing their written plans. This “capstone” course is recommended for the gifted and vocationally oriented student considering running a small business. Success in this course is strongly based on mastery of the basics in Business Orientation as well as the contents of Management and Accounting. (.5 credit)

Management (Grades 11,12)
This elective introduces students to the principles of managerial theory and practice, looking into all aspects of business, including but not limited to, product planning, marketing functions, finance, labor relations and business ethics. Students will study current business issues and the question of community and social responsibility. The skills taught in Business Orientation are requisite to success in the Management course. Students who think they may find a career in business will find this course a “must.” (.5 credit)

Marketing (Grades 11,12)
Students who have completed Advertising and/or Management may take this year-long “capstone” course. It is, as its name suggests, a study of marketing fundamentals. Students will apply the principles of marketing to actual business examples. Students who take this course have qualified to take the final course in the Professional Business Area: Business Internship. (One credit)

Computer Applications Area (A fee is required for all computer courses)

Computer Applications I (Grades 9,10,11,12)
Computer Applications I is the foundation course for the entire Computer Applications area. It goes without saying that success in almost any course in high school assumes mastery of basic computer skills. Students who have not mastered adequate keyboarding techniques or the intricacies of MS Word need this course. Students who take this class most often go into Computer Applications II. (.5 credit)

Computer Applications II (Grades 9,10,11,12)
Students who complete Computer Applications I in the first semester often take this course in the second semester. This course must be completed before taking any other courses in the computer applications area. This course continues in the development of computer skills necessary to function in today’s high-tech world. Most students who complete this course successfully go on to an advanced class in this area. (.5 credit)

Data Management (Grades 10,11,12)
This additional option is for students who completed Computer Applications II. If a student shows any interest in working with spreadsheets or databases, then this is the course for him or her. Success in this course prepares students for MOSC (Expert) certification in Excel and Access.
(.5 credit)

Desktop Publishing (Grades 9,10,11,12)
Desktop Publishing is another option for students having completed Computer Applications II. This course prepares students to work with layout and design of publications using PageMaker and Photoshop. This is an extremely practical course since students can use these skills in all their high school classes and in college. Students who want to use scanners and digital cameras more effectively will enjoy this class. This course is required to take the last two courses in the Computer Applications Area: Multimedia Presentations and Web Page Design. (.5 credit)

Multimedia Presentations (Grades 11,12)
Anyone who has successfully completed Desktop Publishing may also consider taking this option. Students interested in developing a broader understanding of how to design and process multimedia presentations with state of the art software and hardware should take this course. Specific skills studied will include scanning techniques, use of digital cameras, and sound production. Students taking this course are being prepared for MOSC (Expert) certification in PowerPoint. (.5 credit)

Web Page Design (Grades 11,12)
Students who have successfully completed Desktop Publishing may consider taking this option. Anyone interested in more effectively using the Internet, including tips for using HTML, Microsoft Front Page, Dreamweaver, and other applications will enjoy this class. (.5 credit)

Word Processing (Grades 9,10,11,12)
This is the first option for students having completed Computer Applications II. Students looking to go beyond the basics of MS Word take this class, which features advanced techniques and projects, including work with on-line macros. This course prepares students for MOSC (Expert) certification in Word 2000. (.5 credit)

Financial Management Area

Accounting I (Grades 10,11,12)
This traditional year-long class introduces students to the principles of budgetary planning, economic management, and financial responsibility. Any student interested in a career in accounting or business should take this course. This is a necessary course to take future classes in the Financial Management area. Quite simply, Accounting I is a must for students who will enter the business field or be prepared to manage their own finances as independent adults. (One credit)

Accounting II (Grades 11,12)
This advanced year-long course is for students who successfully completed Accounting I. This continues the studies begun in the first course. Students enrolled in this class qualify for the Internship option. This is a rigorous course that challenges the students with the work expected of them. The work is sufficiently demanding that this is a weighted class. (One credit)

Business Mathematics (Grades 10,11,12)
This first course in financial management is a “catch-up” course for students who need to strengthen those math skills necessary to a business career. It is strongly recommended that students have completed Pre-Algebra I or two years of General Math. Students who have struggled in math, yet are interested in business may wish to take this class. (.5 credit)

Finance (Grades 11,12)
This “capstone” course completes the Financial Management area. Students interested in “real-world” financial issues such as the Federal Reserve System, international markets, U.S. stocks, and commodities will find this the perfect course. Any student who expects one day to be responsible for his or her own financial situation would benefit from this course. (.5 credit)

Personal Skills Area

Advanced Placement Macroeconomics (Grade 12)
This Advanced Placement class may be taken concurrently with Advanced Placement Microeconomics or in the second semester after having completed Advanced Placement Microeconomics. Advanced Placement Macroeconomics specifically prepares students for the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics exam in the spring. When students pay to take the Advanced Placement Micro exam that follows the Advanced Placement Microeconomics class, they may also take the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics exam without paying an additional fee. So it only makes sense to prepare for that free exam as well by taking this class. Like the Advanced Placement Microeconomics exam, the Advanced Placement Macroeconomics exam can generate college credit for those scoring well. As with Advanced Placement Microeconomics, Advanced Placement Macroeconomics is a rigorous, college-level course. (.5 credit)

College Test Prep (Grades 11,12)
Students interested in better preparing for the ACT and SAT tests would benefit by taking this course. The class is simply designed to help students raise their scores on these two very important examinations. Any student not satisfied with his or her scores may wish to take this class in an effort to do better on the retakes. (.5 credit)

Notetaking/Study Skills (Grades 9,10)
This is a popular course for students who wish to learn more efficient methods of taking notes and preparing for examinations. If a student could raise her or her grades by developing listening, study, and test-taking skills, then this is the class for him or her. Students who sign up for this course represent a wide swath of students from all ability levels, since almost every student can use some help in time management and organization. (.5 credit)