The goal of the CATS program is to prepare students to take the CompTIA  A+ (Core and Operating Systems) certification exam, and all four Microsoft Office User Specialist certification exams.

Graduates will be prepared for careers demanding hands-on experience building, maintaining, and troubleshooting computer hardware and software.

These include computer support specialist, software support specialist, help desk specialist, customer service representative, and assistant network administrator.

The CATS program track incorporates both core computer skills and advanced, hands-on skills acquired as students build a computer from its component parts, configure its software, and learn to network it to other computers.

Students complete the "Core" curriculum in this semester, learning Microsoft Office suite, Windows, customer service, and career planning.

The goal for this semester is to prepare students to take four Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOS) certification exams.

Word Processing (Microsoft Word)

• Font and Paragraph Formatting
• Headers/Footers
• Mail Merge
• Outlines
• Inserting and Manipulating Graphics
• Business Correspondence

• Cell Formatting
• Entering and Calculating Data
• Formulas
• Charts
• Linking and Updating

• Tables
• Queries
• Forms
• Reports
• Linking and Updating Data
• Integration with Word and Excel

• Slide Show Formatting
• Slide Transitions
• Custom Animations
• Graphics Usage and Customization
• Tables
• Presentation Options, Styles and Layouts

• Telephone Skills
• Problem Resolution
• Handling Difficult Situations

• Resume Preparation
• Portfolio Development
• Interview Technique
• Keyboarding I

Students will build a computer and configure it with various OS software in preparation for the A+ exams in core hardware and operating systems.

Technical Support

• Tear Down and Rebuild Computers
• Troubleshooting and Repair
• Hardware Settings
• Maintenance

• Server Installation
• Software Configuration
• Client/Server Relationships
• Peer-to-Peer Relationships
• Network Protocols
• Network Security
• Network Topologies
• Troubleshooting

• Windows 2000
• Windows XP
• Windows VISTA
• Windows 7

• Interviewing Skills
• Job-Hunting Techniques
• Business Presentations