MICROSOFT OFFICE USER SPECIALIST (MOUS) PROGRAM

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

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

This is the in MOUS certification

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

Computer Skills

The world is ready to get specific about computer skills:

      • Employers want to know that temporary or new hires can work in a computerized environment.

      • Employees want to know what skills they can take into the job market.

      • Schools want to graduate students with valuable core computer skills.

      • Buyers of training services want to know if their investment translated into usable skills.

      • Computer support staff want to know the skill level of a user calling a help desk.

Training

Microsoft Office User Specialist Training is available at Cyber Networks

MOUS Tests

Course Title	Certification
MS Windows 98/ 2000 Professional / XP	MOUS Prerequisite
MS Word 2000	MOUS Expert*
MS Excel 2000	MOUS Expert*
MS PowerPoint 2000	MOUS*
MS Access 2000	MOUS*
MS Outlook 2000	MOUS*
MS Internet Explorer 5.0	N/A
MS Publisher 2000	N/A
MS FrontPage 2000	N/A
MS Project 2000	MOUS

*Refers to the exams required to certify as a MOUS Master.

The MOUS tests are oriented to end users who work with the products in Microsoft Office. 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 perform the actions required. There are no yes/no or multiple-choice questions or guess test of memorization ability.  A combination of book study and hands on practice is necessary to pass. There’s very little time allowed, so you need to know the application.

Performance Focus

Users will create and edit real documents using the actual programs. 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 you give them the Microsoft Word screen, they will quickly explore their way to a familiar prompt and dive right into the process.  This certification process honors the reality of how computer users access their 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:

• Budgets
• Marketing and sales reports
• Expense reports
• Invoices and purchase orders
• Basic financial statements
• Spreadsheet information for use on the Internet or an intranet.

An Expert needs to know how to work with:

• Accounting/financial statements
• Data analysis
• Statistical tables
• Amortization schedules
• Forecasts
• Personnel records
• Lists.

One distinction between the two sets of skills might be the difference between entering simple data and constructing more complex formulas and worksheets.

From an employer’s perspective, the Proficient 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.

Remember Cost of Ownership

Studies of the cost of ownership of a desktop computer in the workplace highlight the high price of support.  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.