Business Tech
Questions? Contact Us.
Lori Ferguson
Technology Complex (Building 24), Room 100H
Program Coordinator
lferguson@yvcc.edu
509-574-6810
Business Technology
The Business Technology (BT) program provides an interactive business and professional partnership to enhance student-centered education for career office opportunities that match business needs to student outcomes. Program faculty members constantly update curriculum and course offerings to meet student and industry needs. Bilingual degrees are also available. Most classes are offered daily in the classroom or in a combination of online and classroom; a few are offered entirely online.
While obtaining one of these degrees, students will learn the following skills: typing, ten-key electronic math, word processing, filing, office procedures, spelling, and English grammar. Teamwork, critical thinking, problem solving, and human relations are a focus of the program and are integrated into the curriculum.
This program prepares students to enter the business world with high-level business technology skills. Graduates from this program will be prepared to be professional assistants in businesses; proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access), understand standard business documentation, assist in decision-making, develop processes and procedures, and have a high level of competence in hardware and software. Graduates can work in positions such as executive assistant, administrative professional, administrative assistant, office specialist, office professional, and office coordinator.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This program prepares students to enter the business world with high-level business technology skills. Graduates from this program will be prepared to be bilingual professional assistants in businesses; proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access), understand standard business documentation, assist in decision-making, develop processes and procedures, and have a high level of competence in hardware and software. Graduates can work in positions such as executive assistant, administrative professional, administrative assistant, office specialist, office professional, and office coordinator.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This program prepares students to enter the legal business community with a high-level of skill in office technology. Graduates from this program will be prepared to perform as bilingual assistants in a legal organization; proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access), understand standard business/legal documents, assist in decision-making, and develop processes and procedures. Graduates can work in positions such as legal administrative assistants with both private and public sector law offices, legal departments in nonprofit organizations and court systems.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This program prepares students to enter the medical business community with high-level skills in business technology. Graduates from this program will be prepared to be bilingual healthcare administrative professionals in medical institutions, proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access), understand standard business/medical documentation, assist in decision-making, develop processes and procedures, and understand medical terminology, filing, and coding. Graduates can work in positions as healthcare administrative professionals with private and public medical offices, clinics and hospitals.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This program prepares students to enter the legal business community with a high-level of skill in office technology. Graduates from this program will be prepared to perform as assistants in a legal organization; proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access), understand standard business/legal documents, assist in decision-making, and develop processes and procedures. Graduates can work in positions such as legal administrative assistants with both private and public sector law offices, legal departments in nonprofit organizations and court systems.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This program prepares students to enter the medical business community with high-level skills in business technology. Graduates from this program will be prepared to be healthcare administrative professionals in medical institutions, proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access), understand standard business/medical documentation, assist in decision-making, develop processes and procedures, and understand medical terminology, filing, and coding. Graduates can work in positions as healthcare administrative professionals with private and public medical offices, clinics and hospitals.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
Certificates
This certificate prepares students for bilingual entry-level positions in the business world. This certificate is appropriate for those students who desire a few basic office skills necessary to start a career or are planning to pursue an Associate of Applied Science or higher degree. Students completing this certificate can work in positions such as receptionists, office assistants or clerks. The certificate is fully transferable to the Administrative Assistant AAS degree.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This certificate prepares students for entry-level positions in the business world. This certificate is appropriate for those students who desire a few basic office skills necessary to start a career or are planning to pursue an Associate of Applied Science or higher degree. Students completing this certificate can work in positions such as receptionists, office assistants or clerks. The certificate is fully transferable to the Administrative Assistant AAS degree.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
This program prepares students to enter the legal business community with a high-level of skill in office technology. Graduates from this program will be prepared to perform as receptionists in a legal organization; proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, & Access) and understand standard business/legal documents.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
Prepares students for jobs such as medical records clerks, medical secretaries, etc. Certificates are also available in the program that lead toward employment and can be a pathway to one of the BT associate of applied science degrees. Certificates can range from one to five quarters.
The information above reflects the 2024-2025 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
Degrees and Certificates
To obtain a certificate or degree, students must earn at least a grade of C- (1.7) in all required classes. The degree or certificate will be awarded if the overall GPA for the required classes is a 2.0 (C) or higher. Courses taken outside the degree or certificate requirements are not considered in the 2.0 (C) GPA or C- (1.7) requirements.
Additionally, students must complete the keyboarding competency of 45 wpm (words per minute) for five minutes with four or fewer errors in order to be awarded an associate in applied science degree in BT. Students who do not meet the keyboarding competency will be eligible for a BT certificate. Certificate applicants do not need to meet this keyboarding competency. Students may take BT 103 twice in order to meet their competency.
All BT degree and certificate students should complete BT 100 before enrolling in their 21st credit toward a BT degree or certificate.
Students should be aware that legal and medical offices often require criminal background checks.
More Information
Department Contacts
| Name | Job Title | Phone | Office Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Cousens | Program Chair Yakima Campus |
hcousens@yvcc.edu | 509.574.6800 ext. 3130 | Technology Complex Building 24, Room 200C |
| Lori Ferguson | Program Coordinator Yakima Campus | lferguson@yvcc.edu | 509.574.6810 | Technology Complex Building 24, Room 100H |