Microsoft Applications Certificate
The Microsoft Applications Certificate provides students with comprehensive skills in the Microsoft Office suite and advanced business productivity tools. This program emphasizes practical, hands-on experience with Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Power BI, while introducing generative AI to enhance document creation, data analysis, and presentation workflows. Students will learn to create professional documents, manage data, design impactful presentations, and build interactive dashboards, preparing them for roles that require advanced digital proficiency and AI integration.
Microsoft Applications Certificate
NC State’s Microsoft Applications Certificate program allows students to complete a series of coordinated courses in a shorter period of time than an associate degree. Students in associate degree programs may benefit from adding a certificate to their areas of expertise. A minimum of a 2.00 grade-point average must be obtained for all required courses in order to receive a certificate.
Upon successful completion of a certificate program, a Certificate Request form must be completed in the Student Records Office in order to receive a certificate.
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Courses
CISS 1210 - Microsoft Word
This course is an introductory course in word processing using Microsoft Word for Windows. Through a series of hands-on exercises, the student will create, edit, format, and print documents. Topics include: creating, saving, retrieving, formatting, editing, printing, inserting graphic elements, merging, maintaining file organization, and using the help system.Â
CISS 1220 - Microsoft Excel
This course is an introductory course in spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for Windows. Through a series of hands-on exercises, the student will create, edit, format, and print worksheets. Topics include: creating, saving, retrieving, formatting, editing, printing, creating formulas, using functions, naming cells and ranges, creating tables, creating charts, defining range names, validating data, sorting and filtering data, maintaining file organization, and using templates.Â
CISS 1230 - Microsoft Access
This course is an introductory course in databases using Microsoft Access for Windows. Through a series of hands-on exercises, the student will create and manage databases. Topics include: creating, saving, formatting, and editing tables; designing reports; creating formulas; working with records; creating forms; writing queries; and establishing table relations.Â
CISS 1250 - Microsoft PowerPoint
This course is an introductory course in presentation software using Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows. Through a series of hands-on exercises, the student will create, edit, format, and print presentations. Topics include: creating, saving, retrieving, formatting, editing, printing, and running presentations; inserting graphic elements; applying transitions and animation effects; linking and embedding; and using the Help system.Â
Spring Semester
Courses
CISS 1270 - Microsoft Word Advanced
This second-level course covers advanced Word features including formatting with special features, enhancing the visual display and clarity of documents, working with multiple documents, creating and merging main documents with data source documents, creating forms, linking and embedding objects, using macros, and modifying the document layout.Â
CISS 1280 - Microsoft Excel Advanced
This second level course covers expert Excel features, including formatting with advanced techniques, working with templates and workbooks, working with lists, using analysis tools, managing and auditing worksheets, collaborating with workgroups, and using advanced format functions.Â
CISS 1290 - Microsoft Power BI and AI
This course introduces the concepts and application of data analytics in business. A hands-on approach using Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools is employed for data analysis, data visualization, modeling, and creating dashboards with direct connectivity to data sources. Students will explore how AI enhances business intelligence through predictive insights and automation within analytics workflows.
CISS 1295 - Generative AI
This course introduces students to generative artificial intelligence technologies and their applications in business analytics. Students will explore tools such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and other AI platforms to create content, automate workflows, and generate predictive insights. Emphasis is placed on ethical use, prompt engineering, and integrating generative AI into data analysis and visualization processes.