Why Study Business?

  • In college and university, business programs are one of the most popular choices for students in Canada. The most common major field of study for adults aged 25 to 64 with either a college diploma or university degree was “business, management, marketing and related support services.” (Stats Canada)
     
  • Because you engage in business transactions daily, your knowledge of business will enable you to make intelligent financial decisions.
     
  • A working knowledge of business can also enable you to start your own business!

Business courses are essential for students who are considering taking a business program at college or university, or who just want to be better prepared for the world after high school. Students who successfully complete at least one business class will have the opportunity to compete for cash and scholarships in business case competitions in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

All Business courses are worth at least five credits. As they have no prerequisites or course streams, these courses can be taken by students in any grade level.

Course List

The following Business courses are available at MCHS. Click on the name of the course to read its description.

Accounting

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 6

This fast-paced course introduces students to the fundamental principles and procedures of accounting. Students will develop financial analysis and decision-making skills that will assist them in future studies and/or career opportunities in business.

Students can take Accounting to:

  • Gain background knowledge for running their own business
  • Improve their investing knowledge
  • Learn about taxes
  • Get a head start on post-secondary study
  • Learn how to use accounting software

Accounting students will:

  • Become familiar with financial statements, International Financial Reporting Standards and how to prepare for the process of starting up a business
  • Complete the accounting cycle for a service and merchandising business
  • Complete transactions and procedures typically used by an individual or a business
  • Apply specialized accounting procedures associated with buying and selling goods in a retail system
  • Learn and demonstrate the use of an accounting software package for personal or business use

Highlights of the class include:

  • Using industry software, such as Microsoft Excel and Sage 50
  • Interacting with a guest speaker from the Chartered Professional Accountants - Alberta (CPA)

Legal Studies

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 6

"If I slip on a sidewalk while jogging in a blizzard, can I sue the homeowner?"

"I bought a pair of jeans and wore them to the mall but then I decided I didn’t like them. Can I legally return them afterwards?"

"While walking home from school, a kid bullied me. He swore at me and threatened me. Can I charge him with assault?"

Legal Studies focuses on the legal system and the rights of individuals. Legal Studies is essential for students who plan to enter a business program at the post-secondary level or who hope to have a career in law.

Students can take Legal Studies to:

  • Expand their knowledge of the Canadian Legal System
  • Introduce themselves to a career in Law
  • Learn how the law applies to real life using case studies
  • Participate in a mock trial in a real courtroom at the University of Alberta
  • Visit the court house and see law in action
  • Hear from guest speakers who discuss their experience with the law, such as a crown prosecutor, corrections officer and/or an RCMP officer

Legal Studies students will examine:

  • Workplace and consumer law, with a focus on basic rights and responsibilities at work
  • The legal relationship between the government and the citizen ,with an emphasis on criminal law
  • The criminal justice system, including the criminal process and the roles and responsibilities of the participants
  • Challenging issues and law-related careers
  • Laws affecting family members
  • The issues and legal considerations that may arise when individuals travel domestically and internationally

Explore areas of the law, including:

  • Private law
  • Public law
  • Family law
  • Law and the traveler
  • Criminal law
  • Business and contract law

Marketing (Advertising and Promotion)

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 6

How do companies figure out who is most likely to buy their product/service? Why do companies choose a certain location for their business? How do companies decide whether to advertise on the radio, television, internet, in the newspaper, or a combination of all of them?

Students will learn and explore the fundamentals of retail marketing. The use of technology will be integrated into this course.

Students can take Marketing to:

  • Understand how a company knows what products consumers are likely to buy
  • Find out why products are located in certain parts of a store
  • Learn how to sell goods and services
  • Learn the best type of advertising to reach a variety of customers
  • Put learning into practice using an online business simulation
  • Use multimedia to make print, radio and television commercials
  • Visit various local business to see how they use marketing, such as:
    • Freson Bros
    • Knighton Men's Wear
    • NOW Radio
    • Strong Coffee Marketing
    • Rogers' Place
  • Learn from marketing specialists who come in as guest speakers

Marketing students will have the opportunity to:

  • Use a virtual business simulation to operate a business
  • Choose a company/product and create the elements of a marketing plan
  • Create a merchandising display for their selected business
  • Use Trimble Sketchup to design their storefront and interior
  • Use Adobe Audition to create a radio advertisement
  • Use Adobe Photoshop and CorelDRAW to create a print advertisement
  • Learn how businesses use color, scent, lighting, and floor arrangement to increase sales
  • Learn how to target their specific customer
  • Use CorelDraw to create a logo for their company

Office Computer Skills

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 5

The ability to use Office software is essential to many management and office positions. It is also very valuable for managing personal records for any entrepreneur or small business owner.

Most students think they know how to use this software, but are surprised of the power of spreadsheets, how little they know about databases, or how quick a mail merge can produce multiple individualized documents.

Learn the basics of:
  • Spreadsheets
  • Presentation software
  • Databases
  • Word processing

This course will focus on Microsoft Office and file management, but will also show the connections to Google software and incorporate some old school touch typing drills.

This is a must-have course for entering the work force or post secondary.

Business Innovations

Prerequisite: None
Credits: 5

Are you curious about the world of business and eager to explore your options? Business Innovations is the perfect starting point. This introductory course lets you dive into key areas like management, entrepreneurship, marketing, technology, and finance—giving you a well-rounded view of the business world.

Throughout the course, you'll engage in hands-on projects and simulations, applying what you learn to real-world business scenarios. Plus, you'll hear from guest speakers from local businesses, offering valuable insights into the industry. Whether you're interested in starting your own company or working in the business field, this course will spark your creativity and help you build essential skills for the future.

Business Innovations is the perfect first step for anyone interested in pursuing further studies in business and commerce.

Get ready to explore, innovate, and set the stage for your career in business!

Note: This course replaces Entrepreneurship. Students who have already completed Entrepreneurship cannot retake Business Innovations or earn credits for both courses.