2021-22 Catalog (Archived Catalog)
Commercial Drivers License-Truck Driving Entrepreneurship
Commercial Drivers License-Truck Driving Entrepreneurship - Certificate (T20)
SEE UPDATES/CLARIFICATIONS to 2021-2022 CATALOG: This program is no longer offered.
This certificate has been designed to expand the traditional truck driving training to include learning principles of business, marketing, personal selling, advertising, and entrepreneurship. Students completing the certificate will have the basic skills required to open, manage, and grow their own truck driving business.
Work and Employment
According to the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association (OOIDA), there are approximately 350,000 owner-operators making this one of the largest groups of business owners in the United States. Nearly 45% of these owner-operators have received some sort of college education. Tractor-trailer truck drivers are expected to grow five percent from 2014-2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Sauk Valley region, with numerous industries and distribution centers, along with its position on the I-88 corridor, offers many truck driving opportunities for owner-operators.
Special Considerations
To obtain employment as a commercial driver, individuals must be at least 18 years of age (there is no top age restriction), possess a safe driving record, be able to pass regular drug screenings and a Department of Transportation physical exam, and not have been convicted of any felonies.
Follow this link for career information.
Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
- Josh West, 815-835-6334
Total Hours Required - 18 Hours
Major Field Requirements - 15 Hours
BUS260 - Entrepreneurship Principles ( 3 Semester Hours)
Entrepreneurship Principles examines the various skills, habits and mindset essential for a successful entrepreneurial venture. Real world case studies will provide opportunities to analyze why certain businesses fail while others succeed. Students will also encounter exposure to a variety of entrepreneurship ventures through lectures, group discussions, and research that support growth in problem recognition, solution development, and the exploration of career options. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekCIS220 - Computer Accounting ( 2 Semester Hours)
This course covers small business accounting using computer software. Topics include creating a chart of accounts, recording customer and vendor transactions, processing payroll, and printing reports. In addition, setting up a new company is covered as well as advanced topics such as exporting to spreadsheet software and using the computer software audit trail. Prerequisite: None. Recommend CIS 100 or CIS 109 and ACC 101. 2 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 2 lec, 0 lab/weekGSV100 - Commercial Drivers License ( 4 Semester Hours)
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) has placed more stringent requirements on licensing of all commercial truck drivers. This three credit hour course is designed to deliver all of the needed information to take and pass the commercial Driver's License General Knowledge Written Exams in the states of Illinois and Iowa. Along with the Commercial Driver's License required, units on log books and first aid training will be covered. Prerequisite: Students must provide the institution with a copy of their driving record for the past five (5) years. Students must provide the institution with a physical form verifying completion of a Department of Transportation physical. 4 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/weekGSV102 - Commercial Vehicle Operation ( 8 Semester Hours)
Professional Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators not only need the necessary information to be successful, but they must be able to operate the tractor-trailer combination in a proficient and safe manner. Students will gain the knowledge necessary to become a commercial vehicle operator and develop the skills and techniques essential to the safe and professional operation of a commercial vehicle. Prerequisite: GSV 100. 8 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 16 lab/week
Electives - 3 Hours
Choose one of the following:
BUS103 - Intro to Business ( 3 Semester Hours)
Introduction to Business provides a foundation of knowledge in business including an understanding of the basic processes of marketing, finance, production, accounting, information technology, human resource management and the relationships of business to our society and government and the global economy. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekBUS105 - Fundamentals Personal Selling ( 3 Semester Hours)
An introduction to personal selling for those students whose main interest is in the field of marketing. This course will also provide the necessary skills of personal selling to potential salespeople so they may develop their growing responsibilities more efficiently and effectively to manage the entire value chain within their own organizations, with their suppliers, and with their customers. Potential salespeople will learn the sound skills of partnering and communication in order to develop and maintain strategic alliances within the regional, national, and international business communities. Integration of materials from other business and non-business disciplines will illustrate the application of theories in the practice of selling to deliver total quality. Potential salespeople will examine various methods in which salespeople employ technology to learn about, to connect with, and to build relationships with customers. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekBUS210 - Marketing ( 3 Semester Hours)
An examination of the fundamental principles and functions of marketing, with emphasis on the tools and techniques by which goods are transferred from producer to consumer, notforprofit marketing, consumer behavior, organizational buying behavior and the relation of marketing to the economic and business structure. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekBUS216 - Advertising ( 3 Semester Hours)
The basic principles of advertising, planning and management as it relates to marketing, sequence, including a survey of the major groups of advertising media (printed, broadcast, positive and point-of purchase media) and their application. Emphasis will be placed on the campaign approach to advertising program. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week
Suggested Program
First Semester - 13 Hours
BUS260 - Entrepreneurship Principles ( 3 Semester Hours)
Entrepreneurship Principles examines the various skills, habits and mindset essential for a successful entrepreneurial venture. Real world case studies will provide opportunities to analyze why certain businesses fail while others succeed. Students will also encounter exposure to a variety of entrepreneurship ventures through lectures, group discussions, and research that support growth in problem recognition, solution development, and the exploration of career options. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekGSV100 - Commercial Drivers License ( 4 Semester Hours)
The Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1986 (CMVSA) has placed more stringent requirements on licensing of all commercial truck drivers. This three credit hour course is designed to deliver all of the needed information to take and pass the commercial Driver's License General Knowledge Written Exams in the states of Illinois and Iowa. Along with the Commercial Driver's License required, units on log books and first aid training will be covered. Prerequisite: Students must provide the institution with a copy of their driving record for the past five (5) years. Students must provide the institution with a physical form verifying completion of a Department of Transportation physical. 4 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 4 lec/weekGSV102 - Commercial Vehicle Operation ( 8 Semester Hours)
Professional Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators not only need the necessary information to be successful, but they must be able to operate the tractor-trailer combination in a proficient and safe manner. Students will gain the knowledge necessary to become a commercial vehicle operator and develop the skills and techniques essential to the safe and professional operation of a commercial vehicle. Prerequisite: GSV 100. 8 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 16 lab/week
Second Semester - 5 Hours
- CIS 220 Computer Accounting (2 Semester Hours) AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
BUS103 - Intro to Business ( 3 Semester Hours)
Introduction to Business provides a foundation of knowledge in business including an understanding of the basic processes of marketing, finance, production, accounting, information technology, human resource management and the relationships of business to our society and government and the global economy. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekBUS105 - Fundamentals Personal Selling ( 3 Semester Hours)
An introduction to personal selling for those students whose main interest is in the field of marketing. This course will also provide the necessary skills of personal selling to potential salespeople so they may develop their growing responsibilities more efficiently and effectively to manage the entire value chain within their own organizations, with their suppliers, and with their customers. Potential salespeople will learn the sound skills of partnering and communication in order to develop and maintain strategic alliances within the regional, national, and international business communities. Integration of materials from other business and non-business disciplines will illustrate the application of theories in the practice of selling to deliver total quality. Potential salespeople will examine various methods in which salespeople employ technology to learn about, to connect with, and to build relationships with customers. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekBUS210 - Marketing ( 3 Semester Hours)
An examination of the fundamental principles and functions of marketing, with emphasis on the tools and techniques by which goods are transferred from producer to consumer, notforprofit marketing, consumer behavior, organizational buying behavior and the relation of marketing to the economic and business structure. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/weekBUS216 - Advertising ( 3 Semester Hours)
The basic principles of advertising, planning and management as it relates to marketing, sequence, including a survey of the major groups of advertising media (printed, broadcast, positive and point-of purchase media) and their application. Emphasis will be placed on the campaign approach to advertising program. 3 Semester hour(s) Lecture/Lab Hours: 3 lec/week