MICROSOFT OFFICE SPECIALIST (MOUS) PROGRAM

MS Word :: MS Excel :: MS Access :: MS PowerPoint :: MS Outlook

The Microsoft Office Specialist Program is an important evolutionary step in the world's adoption of computers in the workplace.  As the computer becomes an accepted and integrated tool of every office, the focus is shifting to workforce technical competency.

MOUS® is the only Certification made by Microsoft for the Microsoft Office group of software products. All major corporations worldwide recognize Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) as the only certificate that truly proves skills in Microsoft Software on the Computer Desktop.

This basic MOUS course covers MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, MS Access and MS Outlook. Additional courses and tests can also be taken but are not required for the basic certification.

MOUS certification progams:

Certification of user skills provides much-needed specificity in the training, hiring, placement, development and support process. 

CyberNetworks offers training leading to the MOUS certification. There are several other Microsoft application programs offered besides those that lead to MOUS certification. The table below lists some of them.

	MOUS Course Title	Function	Certification
	MS Word XP/2003	Word processing	MOUS, CyberNetworks
	MS Excel XP/2003	Spreadsheet	MOUS, CyberNetworks
	MS PowerPoint XP/2003	Presentation	MOUS, CyberNetworks
	MS Access XP/2003	Database design	MOUS, CyberNetworks
	MS Outlook XP/2003	Personal manager	MOUS, CyberNetworks
	MS Project 2003	Project management	MOUS, CyberNetworks

The MOUS tests are tailored to End Users who work with Microsoft productivty tools on Microsoft Windows and Office platforms. If you want to demonstrate your competence in the use of the five core products Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, or Outlook, then the MOUS series is for you.

The MOUS tests are completely hands-on. You actually get tested as you perform the actions required. There are no yes/no or multiple-choice questions or guess tests. A combination of book study and hands on practice is necessary to pass these exams. There is little time allowed, so you need to know the application. And we help you get there.

CyberNetworks also offers non MOUS courses that are part of the Microsoft Office Suite of Applications. These are shown in the table below.

	Non MOUS Course Title	Function	Certification
	MS Windows XP/2003	File management	CyberNetworks
	MS Internet Explorer 6.0	Internet browsing	CyberNetworks
	MS Publisher XP/2003	Desktop publishing	CyberNetworks
	MS FrontPage XP/2003	Web page design	CyberNetworks

Performance Focus

Users will create and edit real documents using the software programs they are trained and tested on. When a worker has the skills to use to perform work tasks on a program, they will be able to pass the certification exam.

Core Tasks Focus

The user certification tests focus on the core tasks that are performed with these very robust packages. The exams have been designed to measure workforce productivity with the products.  Training programs that map to these certifications will create high value learning objectives.

Computer Learning Uses Stimulated Memory

Most computer users' memories are continually refreshed by the screen images. One may not be able to name the steps in conducting a mail merge but if given the Microsoft Word screen, they will quickly find their way out to a familiar prompt and get right into the process. This certification process realy stimulates the user's knowledge.

Different Strokes for Different Jobs

The Microsoft Office User Specialist program includes both proficient and expert levels.  The performance competencies for each of these levels reflect a clear distinction in the complexity of document handling skills.  As organizations standardize on desktop products, there continues to be a wide range of how the application is used in different jobs or offices.  The proficient and expert levels are both high value skill designations that are clearly distinct for training, placement and even compensation purposes.

Proficient User Exams or Expert User Exams?

The exams are independent. You don’t have to pass Proficient exam before you take the Expert test. The two tests are geared toward different levels of know-how. The Proficient test is for someone rather new to the application but comfortable with the standard commands and procedures.

The Proficient user isn’t, however, somebody who has been just a casual user. The Proficient user in Excel is expected to produce these kinds of documents:

An Expert will be able to perform the following tasks among other things:

One distinction between the two sets of skills is the difference between entering simple data and constructing more complex formulas and worksheets in collaborative environments. From an employer’s perspective, the specialist certification would be sufficient for most entry-level or non-financial positions.

An Expert user will be able to set up a pivot table, analyze data, and attach to an external database. That person should be able to handle almost all spreadsheet solutions. He or she can record or write simple VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) code for macros, but won’t be expected to use VBA in complex problems.

Cost of Ownership

Studies of the cost of ownership of a desktop computer in the workplace indicate the high price of support for unskilled workers. When users don't know how to use their key desktop tools, the costs start rising. Informal support (from peers and over the cubicle wall) and formal support (from help desks and other IS groups) are the largest portion of the price of a PC. Many support requests are really teaching moments in disguise. Users that attain certification levels will often require a significantly lower cost of support.