(Skills Achievement Award)

El Centro only

• Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites.
• Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by the college awarding the degree.

Degree Plan Code: SA.BOSS.VIRTUAL

The BOSS Virtual Assistant (VA) Skills Achievement Award will prepare students to become a virtual business owner utilizing business and technical support specialists. The award will address topics of managing a virtual business. A VBA is an entrepreneur/business providing administrative, creative, managerial, technical, business office, and/or personal support services in a virtual affiliation as well as building relationships/partnerships in the global industry. The VBAs use the most advanced means of communication, and the newest, most efficient and time-saving office products and work delivery methods, regardless of geographic boundaries. They typically work from their own homes, often on an on-going, contractual basis. Hence, the virtual assistant award will prepare students to become virtual business owners because of the independent nature of the services provided and the need:

• To establish a plan to efficiently and effectively provide assistance to those who may need their services, and
• To establish a personal business plan for handling the marketing, organizing, operating, and financing of their virtual business.

Students can obtain the VA skills achievement award as an "entry-career ladder" and can be encouraged to pursue other certificates and awards in the BOSS program or other programs in related fields. Courses in this award will assist students in preparing and obtaining certification in a Master Virtual Assistant (MVA) or Professional Virtual Assistant (PVA) from a credentialed virtual assistance association.

SEMESTER I

NOTE: Students enrolling in this program who plan to transfer to a four-year institution should consult an advisor or counselor regarding transfer requirements and the transferability of these courses to the four-year institution of their choice.