Niskayuna Central School District > Academics > Niskayuna High School Program of Studies 2024-25 > NHS Program of Studies: Business Education

NHS Program of Studies: Business Education

The Business Education curriculum has a three-fold purpose: to provide knowledge and skills as a foundation for college, to give students information helpful in carrying on personal business affairs more efficiently, and to prepare students for making informed economic decisions in life. A 5-credit business sequence (which must include CFM1 and CFM2) can be used to pursue an Advanced Regents Diploma.

Earning College Credit

A partnership between Niskayuna High School and Schenectady County Community College enables students to earn college credit through the College in the High School (UHS) program upon successfully completing designated full-year business classes. Students have the option of signing up for the college credit at the beginning of the school year, which requires a tuition fee. Students should see a Business Education faculty member for additional information.

Business Education Courses

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72020 CAREER and FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT I

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12

The purpose of this one-half unit course is to provide students with the opportunity to learn about features of our economy, explore a variety of careers, learn the skills and competencies needed for success in the workplace and to become financially literate. Employment practices from a personal perspective will be explored and an understanding of the job selection processes will be developed. This course seeks to develop progressive skills and behaviors that help young people integrate their role within the workplace, home and the community.

72040 CAREER and FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT II

1 semester, 1/2 credit, Grades 9-12

This half year course provides students the opportunity to study a range of financial alternatives and explore basic decisions necessary to become informed employees, consumers, and citizens. General principles will be combined with practical applications to develop personal financial literacy. Finance topics include consumer credit, taxes, life and health insurance, as well as investments. In addition, a heavy emphasis is placed on student awareness of working conditions and important factors involved with employee-benefit packages. Students will make actual preparations for entering the workforce while developing skills in communication, interviewing, critical thinking, and decision making. Students must complete a job shadow experience during the semester as part of the course requirements.

72060 CAREER EXPLORATION INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (CEIP)

1 year, 1/2 credit, Grade 12

This elective course combines in-school instruction with workplace internships. It is designed for students who wish to explore career opportunities by observing, working alongside and dialoguing with adult role models in the workplace. CEIP was created to better prepare students to make responsible career choices while becoming active, contributing members of their community. Students will spend most of their time working in the field. Individual student interests will be accommodated as much as possible. Internships may occur outside of the school day. STUDENTS WILL NEED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN TRANSPORTATION. This program provides an excellent opportunity to explore individual interests and skills. Credit is awarded based on the successful completion of in-school instruction and 54 internship hours. (CEIP can only count as 1/2 credit toward the calculation of a student’s course load.) No prerequisite.

72100 BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT (College in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

This course offers students a global overview of modern business organization and operation. Through analysis and computer applications, the student will learn the overall workings of business. Areas discussed include: management skills, finance, marketing, evolution of American business, business ethics and business careers. Microsoft Office Professional is used for the computer applications segment. It includes Excel, Publisher and PowerPoint. Students will have the opportunity to visit area businesses and speak with professionals in the business field. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a business degree in college.

72150 BUSINESS LAW (College in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

This course emphasizes the relationship of business law to an individual’s personal life and career. Business and Personal Law concentrates on several areas: ethics and the law, criminal law, tort law, consumer law, contract law, cyber law, and planning for the future. A variety of experiences will be provided for the student, such as discussions of current and historic case studies and a mock trial. Students will also have the opportunity to visit the courthouse, attend an actual trial, visit the county jail, and interact with professionals from the criminal justice or legal system. This course is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in criminal justice or a degree in business and/or law.

72200 ACCOUNTING I (College in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12

This course is designed to develop competence in the application of accounting theory. The course introduces the current procedures of financial accounting and generally accepted accounting principles. The course emphasizes the analysis of business transactions and the study of the accounting cycle. Accrued based accounting concepts, internal controls, and financial statement preparation are addressed as well as the accounting elements of a corporate business entity. Practice sets are used to give practical application of the accounting theory. The course is highly recommended for students pursuing a two- or four-year business program in college.

72250 ACCOUNTING II

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 11-12

This course is a continuation of Accounting I. The complete accounting cycle will be reviewed. Emphasis is placed on completing the accounting cycle for a merchandising business and partnerships. Prerequisite: Accounting I

72300 MARKETING (College in the High School Program)

1 year, 1 credit, Grades 10-12

Designed to teach students about one of today’s fastest growing fields, this course introduces the student to an understanding of both the consumer and business marketplaces. Topics covered include: skills in marketing, product planning, consumer behavior, market research, marketing strategies, principles of economic systems, promotion, advertising, social media marketing, visual merchandising, and sports and entertainment marketing. Students will have an opportunity to film an advertisement and participate in a number of real-life promotion and advertising campaigns. This is an excellent course for those who have an interest in business and marketing studies in college.

72010 GENERAL EDUCATION WORK EXPERIENCE PROGRAM

Flexible Timeframe

1/2 – 2 credits, Grades 11-12

This elective course combines in-school instruction with workplace apprenticeships. It is designed for students who wish to explore and gain work experience by observing, working alongside of and dialoguing with adult role models in the workplace. GEWEP was created to better prepare students to make responsible career choices while becoming active, contributing members of their community. Students will obtain a basic knowledge of tools, methods, materials, and technologies currently used in the construction industry; emphasis is placed on theory, as well as related math concepts. NO Prerequisite.

72310 Sports Marketing/Management

1/2 Year, 1/2 Credit, Grades 11-12

Course Description: Sport Marketing/Management is a one-semester business elective. The course outline was developed as a collaborative effort involving business/marketing education staff from many New York State School Districts. This course is designed so students will learn to think like a sports manager and solve problems relating to the sports industry with an emphasis on events planning, scheduling, budgeting, and promotion. Sports theories and philosophies as well as leadership styles will be explored. Topics to be covered include basic management principles, intercollegiate sports, professional sports, press conferences, ethics, and NCAA guidelines. Careers in sports marketing and management will also be discussed. This course will provide students with an understanding of sports as a business.

Pre-requisite: Students must have completed either Marketing or Business Organization and Management prior to enrolling in this course. 

72320 International Business

1/2 Year, 1/2 Credit, Grades 10-12

International Business is a one-semester business elective that is growing in relevance due to the increase of global competition. The course will focus on the economic, legal, political, governmental, financial and cultural issues related to the international business environment and the multidisciplinary development of strategies to address it. The course will also address theories that can be applied to doing business with any country outside the US and the specific culture, etiquette, protocol, and behavior styles of countries around the world.