Business/Computer Courses

Portage High School and Ivy Tech have partnered in a dual-credit agreement for students enrolled in Advanced Accounting, Marketing Fundamentals, Digital Applications and Responsibility (Microsoft IT Academy), Accounting Fundamentals, Management Fundamentals, Strategic Marketing, and Principles of Business Management. Three free college credits are available through Ivy Tech upon achieving a passing score on the Ivy Tech KA Assessment test and by earning a grade of C or better in the course. Juniors and Seniors, with a GPA of 2.6 or higher, are exempt from taking the KA Assessment test. These credits earned are transferable to many Indiana state colleges.

Accounting Fundamentals, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 4524

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Sophomores are required to have an overall GPA of a 2.0 or better

Accounting Fundamentals is a basic requirement of any business curriculum. The course introduces the language of business using Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and procedures for proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations using double-entry accounting. Emphasis is placed on accounting principles as they relate to both manual and automated financial systems. This course involves understanding, analyzing, and recording business transactions and preparing, analyzing, and interpreting financial reports as a basis for decision-making. Your enrollment in Introduction to Accounting will give you a competitive edge in college accounting.

Advanced Accounting, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 4522

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Introduction to Accounting with a grade of C or better is required

Advanced Accounting expands on the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and procedures covered in Introduction to Accounting. It is career-oriented with a dual purpose: (a) to provide increased knowledge and competence for students who will be seeking entry-level employment after graduation, and (b) to provide a more firm, broad base of understanding for those desiring to continue the study of accounting. Additional topics covered include an introduction to cost accounting and auditing as well as Intuit Quickbooks Software.

Dual Credit: Three free college credits are available through Ivy Tech upon achieving a passing score on the Ivy Tech KA Assessment test and by earning a grade of C or better in the course. Juniors and Seniors, with a GPA of 2.6 or higher, are exempt from taking the KA Assessment test.

Business Office Communications 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 7144

Grades 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: Principles of Business Operations & Technology

Business Office Communications emphasizes the analysis of communication to direct the choice of oral, written and visual technique methods. It includes composing a variety of messages used to communicate in business with an emphasis on the message impact on the receiver as a basis to plan and deliver effective business communications. Students will practice and gain confidence in public speaking, giving presentations, and crafting strategies to effectively reach their intended audience. Through completing projects and gaining good preparation skills, students will further develop their knowledge while using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Publisher.

Digital Applications & Responsibility, 1 Semester, 1 Credit 4528

Grade 10, 11, 12

Prerequisite: All students are required to have an overall GPA of 2.5 or better

Portage High School is in an agreement with Microsoft that provides students with real world technology skills through digital curriculum and certifications. The Microsoft (NGL Cengage) IT Academy consists of web-based modules and instructions, which allow students to learn Microsoft computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) at their own pace. The Microsoft IT Academy allows students to achieve a greater mastery of productivity and technological skills that are validated through certifications through Certiport. Since this class is run as a working lab, it is a self-directed course where students are expected to work on their own in achieving unlimited opportunities.

Introduction to Business, 1 Semester, 1 Credit 4518

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

Introduction to Business is a course that provides the groundwork for future business courses. This course introduces students to economics, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, risk management, ethics, and law. Students begin exploring roles and functions that business and marketing play in a global society, develop an understanding of the market place, as well as understanding product placement and promotion.This course focuses on developing knowledge and skills around marketing, pricing, distribution and management, while also focusing on economics and interpersonal skills. In addition, it provides the student with a basic understanding some initial business formation requirements. Students will actively participate in projects that will help them understand how to start and plan a business, present their plan to gain financing, and ultimately start a business.

Management Fundamentals, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 7143

Grades 11 & 12. Grade 10 enrollment requires instructor permission or a referral.

Prerequisite: All students are required to have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better

Management Fundamentals describes the functions of managers, including the management of activities and personnel. Describes the judicial system and the nature and sources of law affecting business. Explores contemporary and historical management theory. Case studies and group projects are used to refine leadership and management skills. The role of collective bargaining and its impact on management is also discussed.

Marketing Fundamentals, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 5914

Grades 11 & 12. Grade 10 enrollment requires instructor permission or a referral.

Prerequisite: All students are required to have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better

Principles of Marketing is a course designed to introduce students to the different activities that comprise the many aspects and functions of marketing. Product management, distribution, selling, marketing-information management, financing, pricing, and promotion occur every time a product or service is developed, advertised and sold. Marketing is a very complex part of business and is very important to the success of businesses and to the satisfaction of customers. Students will prepare an advertising campaign for a business and/or complete a computer simulation.

Personal Financial Responsibility*, 1 Semester, 1 Credit 4540

Grades 10, 11, 12

*Graduation requirement

Personal Financial Responsibility focuses on planning your financial future. The course explains how to make money by getting the career you want, how to earn money and grow it through investing, and how to protect your money and assets once you have them. The content includes financial planning, budgets, checking accounts, personal insurance, as well as spending and credit management. Students will learn the financial concepts and principles that provide a basis for avoiding common financial pitfalls. This course prepares students for their roles and responsibilities as consumers and citizens through in class projects and computer simulations of real-life activities including: job hunting, getting an apartment, time management, shopping, credit, and insurance.

Preparing for College and Careers*, 1 Semester, 1 Credit 5394

Grades 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

*Graduation requirement

Preparing for College and Careers addresses the knowledge, skills and behaviors all students need in preparation for success in college, trade schools, their careers, and life. The course focus is the impact of today’s choices on tomorrow’s possibilities. Topics addressed include 21st century life and career skills; higher order thinking, communication, leadership and management processes; exploration of personal aptitudes, interests, values and goals; examining multiple life roles and responsibilities as individuals and family members; planning and guiding employability skills; transferring school skills to life and work; and managing career pathways, an in-depth investigation of one career pathway, reviewing graduation plans, developing career plans and developing personal and career portfolios.

Principles of Business Management, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 4562

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: All students are required to have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better

Principles of Business Management is the initial business course that provides the groundwork for future business courses and a Next Level Program of Study graduation pathway. This course introduces students to economics, entrepreneurship, management, marketing, risk management, ethics, and law. Students begin exploring roles and functions that business and marketing play in a global society, develop an understanding of the market place, as well as understanding product placement and promotion.This course focuses on developing knowledge and skills around marketing, pricing, distribution and management, while also focusing on economics and interpersonal skills. In addition, Portage High School is in an agreement with Microsoft that provides students with real world technology skills through digital curriculum and certifications. The Microsoft (NGL Cengage) IT Academy consists of web-based modules and instructions, which allow students to learn Microsoft computer programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access) at their own pace. The Microsoft IT Academy allows students to achieve a greater mastery of productivity and technological skills that are validated through certifications through Certiport.

Principles of Business Operations & Technology, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 7153

Grades 9, 10

Prerequisite: None

The Principles of Business Operations and Technology course will prepare students to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization and be successful in a work environment. Students are provided opportunities to develop attitudes and apply skills and knowledge in the areas of business, management, Microsoft Office, and basic finance. This course will also simulate the workplace of today, including learning about employee onboarding, ethics, meeting protocols, proper business communication, scheduling, and time-management. The course prepares students to enter the workforce with the skills that any employer will require.

Strategic Marketing, 2 Semesters, 2 Credits 5918

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Principles of Marketing. Dual Credit through Ivy Tech pending approval.

Strategic Marketing builds upon the foundations of marketing and applies the functions of marketing at an advanced level. Students will study the basic principles of consumer behavior and examine the application of theories from psychology, social psychology and economics. The relationship between consumer behavior and marketing activities are reviewed.

Digital Data Applications, 2 semesters, 2 credits 7146

Grades 11, 12

Prerequisite: Principles of Business Operations & Technology; Business Office Communications. Dual Credit through Ivy Tech pending approval.
In Digital Data Applications, students will study activities required for records filing and storage, methods for managing records systems, and managing the administration of the life-cycle of business essential records. Understanding different types of data and their importance to potential users will be discussed. Students will use Microsoft Excel to sort and search records, combine files, produce reports, and to extract data from file will be presented. This course is designed to include creating and formatting worksheets, using formulas and basic functions, creating charts, and printing professional-looking reports. Additionally, students will use Microsoft Access to create a
database and to manage a database through the creation and modification of a query. Students will also be expected to produce reports from the information.