Cont Ed Course Descriptions
Bitterroot College Program
Continuing Education
Course Descriptions
Business Courses (BUS) ~ Building Bitterroot Businesses (BBB)
BBB 1 - Business Plan I
An explanation of the business plan outline including the executive summary, the marketing, financial and operational plans.
Instructor: John Schneeberger, RCEDA
BBB 2 - Business Plan II - Financials
Learn the basics of creating Profit and Loss, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheet statements. Also includes how to create financial projections (forecasted or pro-forma financials).
Instructor: Lisa Glenn, Galusha, Higgins & Galusha
BBB 3 - Marketing
Learn the basics of messaging, positioning and the importance of consistent advertising.
Instructor: Cynthia Rademacher, CMR Marketing Strategies
BBB 4 - Choice of Business Entities on Capitalization and Taxes
Learn about different business entities such as C-corps, Sole Proprietorships, LLCs and their tax and financing implications.
Instructors: David Bjornson, PC and Nick Jones, PC of Garlington, Lohn & Robinson, and local attorney Richard A Weber, PC
BBB 5 - Human Resources
Frequently asked questions about Human Resources: wage and hour laws, hiring processes, progressive discipline, benefits of contractor vs. employee, tax credits when hiring, on-the-job training, incumbent worker training, wrongful termination, required employer posters, and more!
Instructor: Bitterroot Job Service
BBB 6 - Debt and Alternative Financing
Learn the basics of applying for a loan from banks and other lending institutions. Also learn about other sources of business financing such as development loans and grants.
Instructor: Julie Foster, ED, RCEDA
BBB Seminar - Graphic Design for Businesses
Learn the basic principles and elements of graphic design, and how to use them when creating marketing and promotional materials such as brochures, business cards, web sites, and more!
Instructor: KJ Kahnle, Beyond the Image Graphic Design
BBB Seminar - Leadership
Management training is a task often over-looked by small businesses focused on sales and operations. Effective management is as important to profitability as the right equipment and hot sales prospects. You may be skilled and knowledgeable in your line of work but still in the dark on how to manage and motivate people. This course will give you a start in obtaining this skill.
Instructor: Karl Jones, Management Consultant, Organizational Insight
BBB Seminar - Basic Design for Business Space
Learn the basics of organizing and designing your commercial and professional space for success. Create an atmosphere which works for both clients and employees. From traffic flow and elbow room to colors and waiting rooms, your business space is central to your business image. This seminar focuses on understanding the core principles of office layout and design and avoiding the common interior space errors which hurt your bottom-line.
Instructor: Karol Klakken May, In Form Interior Design
BBB Seminar - Succession Planning
Don't miss this introduction to planning for the future of your company! Are you prepared for the time when you are no longer able or willing to continue operating the business you have devoted your life to? Whether your plan is to sell or transfer to a family member, there is key information you need. This course will help you to start thinking about your business strategically, from evaluating your present position to managing your exit plan.
Instructor: Mike Tobiason, CPA, CVA, Vice President at Anderson Zurmehlen
Computer Courses (COMP)
Keyboarding Basics
Need to type a letter at work, a college paper, or a resume? This course teaches the fundamentals of computer keyboarding by touch. Topics include learning the keyboard and building keyboarding accuracy and speed. The availability of home practice is strongly recommended.
Instructor: Lee Tickell, Certified Microsoft Trainer
Computer Basics
What do you need to know about computers for your business, to get a job in today's world or to start college? What can a computer do for you at home? This class is a hands-on, very basic computer operations course covering: using a mouse, navigating through computer screens, creating and managing files, sending and receiving emails, attaching files to emails, and basic internet searching.
Instructor: Lee Tickell, Certified Microsoft Trainer
MS Word Basics
Learn the basics of how to create professional-looking Word documents. Topics include text and page formatting, bullet and table creation, and understanding the ribbon. Prerequisite: basic computer knowledge
Instructor: Lee Tickell, Certified Microsoft Trainer
MS Excel Basics
Explore the basics of spreadsheet functions. Learn short cuts to assist in data entry, how to create formulas and basic formatting. Learn how to print in Excel and how to manage an Excel workbook, cross sheet formulas and viewing multiple sheets. Prerequisite: basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: Lee Tickell, Certified Microsoft Trainer
QuickBooks Basics
A complete overview for setting up your business - chart of accounts, accounts receivable, accounts payable, bank reconciliation, memorizing reports/transactions. Will be taught on QB 2008, but content applies to earlier versions; instructor can speak on any version. First class will be a primer on essential accounting concepts and terminology. Includes pre-loaded flash drive. Prerequisite: basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: TBA
QuickBooks - Payroll Basics
Learn to properly set up a payroll system in QuickBooks - create paychecks, pay tax liabilities, and generate payroll forms and reports. Find out how to track employee time, create job cost data, and troubleshoot common problems and mistakes. Includes pre-loaded flash drive. Prerequisites: basic computer knowledge and basic QuickBooks knowledge.
Instructor: TBA
Photoshop Basics
This course is a hands-on photo editing and "collage" class using Photoshop CS5. Learn how to: make color adjustments and sharpen photos, "clone out" small things that "shouldn't be there," and crop photos. Instruction will also include: the type tool, making selections, an introduction to layers, an introduction to masking, resizing for print and web, and managing your photos files. Prerequisite: basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: KJ Kahnle, Beyond the Image Graphic Design
Mac Basics
Have a new MacBook? Need a tour to get you started? This class is a hands-on, basic Mac operations course covering: desktop, dock, and program navigation, creating and managing files, sending and receiving emails, attaching files to emails, and basic internet searching using Mac software and the Mac operating system (OS). Prerequisite: student must supply his/her own MacBook.
Instructor: KJ Kahnle, Beyond the Image Graphic Design
iWork - Pages
Learn the basics behind iWork - Pages — Mac's streamlined word processing program. Topics include the essentials of document format and layout. Prerequisite: student must supply his/her own MacBook and must have basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: Karol Klakken May, In Form Interior Design
iWork - Numbers
Learn the basics behind iWork - Numbers — Mac's state-of-the-art spreadsheet program. Topics include the essentials of formulas, templates, and charts & tables. Prerequisite: student must supply his/her own MacBook and must have basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: Karol Klakken May, In Form Interior Design
iWork - Keynote
Learn the basics behind iWork - Keynote — Mac's crowd-pleasing presentation software. Topics include formatting text and charts, importing graphics, and adding animation and effects. Prerequisite: student must supply his/her own MacBook and must have basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: Karol Klakken May, In Form Interior Design
CompTIA A+ Certification Course
This course prepares students to take the CompTIA A+ Certification exam. CompTIA A+ certification validates foundation-level knowledge and skills necessary for a career in PC support. It is the starting point for a technical career. The international, vendor-neutral certification proves competence in areas such as installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting. Prerequisite: basic computer knowledge.
Instructor: Lee Tickell ~ 10 years with Microsoft in various technical and Program Manager functions; real world, hands-on experience as an IT Manager and Network Administrator; Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) with experience teaching technical and application programs at Microsoft, as a consultant, and at Highline Community College in Washington; CompTIA A+ Certified, Microsoft Certified System Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE), and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator (MCDBA).
Electronics (ELEC)
Foundational Electronics
Course begins with relevant scientific history, followed by basic electrical theory, with emphasis upon how such theory is applied to common electrical disciplines, like electrical power generation, motors and electrical power distribution. Topics covered include electromagnetic wave radiation, its properties and measurement, alternating current (AC) principles, direct current (DC) circuits, Ohm's Law, the properties of capacitive and inductive electrical reactance, pulse and resonant circuits, and voltage transformation. Knowledge of these essential concepts will lead to the comprehension of television, AM/FM radio, and today's wireless communication and an understanding of electricity's role in medical electronics and other applications common to today's consumer and industrial devices. This elementary course is designed for persons engaged in electrical trades, and also students who wish to prepare themselves for college level electrical engineering curriculum. Prerequisites: A working knowledge of basic mathematical operations and simple mathematical equations.
Instructor: Glenn Kimball is a retired electrical engineer with a comprehensive background in electronic teaching fundamentals, hands-on experience in widely varied electronic equipment maintenance, detail circuit design, and engineering management. He is a graduate of the US Navy's former 36-week Electronics Technician school. He spent 3 years aboard ship maintaining all varied electronic, radar and radio equipment, and teaching classes for technician 'Strikers' aboard ship. Following his US Navy experience, Kimball attended community college and then transferred to UCLA where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering. He was subsequently employed by International Telemeter, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures Corp, where he participated in the development of subscription TV systems, forerunners of today's cable and satellite TV systems. Later he was employed as a Project Manager for Bunker-Ramo Corporation, a Vice-President-Technical-Director for Autologic, Inc, and Vice President-Engineering for two startup electronic companies which he also co-founded.
Medical & Healthcare Courses (MED)
EMT-BASIC – offered by Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital
This course prepares students to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification examination required for EMT-BASIC licensure in Montana. The series is designed to teach students the full range of Basic Life Support skills from simple bleeding control to cardiac arrest procedures.
To Register for EMT-BASIC course, download and complete the EMT-BASIC APPLICATION PACKET and return with full fee payment to the Bitterroot College Program Business Office.
Applicant Requirements: students must be 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or GED certificate by the NREMT exam date.
Questions? Contact Lead Instructor Jeff Welch via email at .
To learn more about becoming a licensed Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Montana, visit the Montana Board of Medical Examiners/Emergency Medical Technicians
Veterans' Upward Bound (VUB)
Veterans' Upward Bound (VUB) is a free U.S. Department of Education program designed to help eligible U.S. military veterans refresh their academic skills so that they can successfully complete the postsecondary school. The Bitterroot College Program is proud to bring FREE VUB college preparatory courses to Ravalli County.
To Register for Veterans' Upward Bound courses or for more information, call 1-877-356-VETS (8387) or visit www.vubmt.com.
Download printable Veterans' Upward Bound Winter 2012 flyer