Office Administration Pathways

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Click on each office administration pathway to see the recommended quarter-by-quarter classes and other recommendations.

These pathways assume:

  • You will be a full-time student.
  • You will start in the fall.
  • You are ready to take 100- and 200-level classes.

If not, you can still complete the pathway! You will just need to make adjustments. Talk with your advisor to customize your plan.

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION, CERTIFICATE (45-57 CREDITS)

This certificate prepares the student to be skilled in the job duties relating to the front office professional. Interpersonal, organizational, and technical skills are addressed to meet the demands for both small and large businesses, as well as government agencies. Graduates may find employment in the following occupations: office clerks, administrative assistants, information and records clerks, executive secretaries, and front office managers.

Talk with your advisor about adapting this pathway for your individual goals.

Quarter 1
BTEC 101 Introduction to Business Computing (5 credits)
Description Formerly BIS 101. This course is an introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel programs used in the business environment. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of MATH 87 or MATH 097 or concurrent enrollment or permission of instructor.
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BUS 100 Business Math (5 credits)
Description Formerly BUSAD 100. Mathematical applications in business involving word problems. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
Description This course helps students become more effective writers in academic and professional settings. Students learn to enter ongoing academic conversations, analyze and use secondary sources to formulate, develop, revise, and communicate ideas in writing, and shape their message to different purposes, audiences, and media. (CC)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of ENGL 95 or placement in ENGL& 101.
Course Attributes
  • Composition Commun Skills

 
Total credits this quarter: 13-15

 

Quarter 2
ACCT& 201 Principles of Accounting I (5 credits)
Description Introduction to the theory and principles of the accounting cycle and accounting concepts. Covers typical general journal transactions, posting transactions to the ledgers, principles of adjusting and closing entries, the process of completing the appropriate financial statements, various inventory valuation methods, and cash policies using both manual forms and computerized methods. Recommended preparation: basic proficiency in Excel. (LE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of Math 97 or higher
Course Attributes
  • Listed elective
or ACCT 100 Introduction to Accounting (3 credits )
Description This course is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of accounting as applied to bookkeeping systems of small businesses and professional organizations. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BTEC 104 Advanced Keyboarding & Microsoft Outlook (3 credits)
Description Formerly OFFAD 104. Advanced skill building in keyboarding and 10-key.In-depth study of PIM (personal information manager) software using Microsoft Outlook: e-mail, calendar, contact manager, and note taking. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 103 with a minimum grade of C.
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BTEC 121 Word Processing I (3 credits)
Description Formerly BIS 121. Introductory course in word processing. Covers basics of document creation, formatting, and editing; introduces 'styles', graphics, and various types of standard formats. Recommended preparation: BTEC 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
CMST& 230 Small Group Communication (5 credits)
Description Introduces students to the theory and practice of small group communication. Course covers interpersonal relationships in groups, leadership, decision-making, problem solving, and presentations speaking in a variety of settings. Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Oral Communication Skills
or CMST 245 Introduction to Organizational Communication (5 credits )
Description Formerly CMST 145. This course is designed to introduce students to the field of organizational communication. Students will examine a range of perspectives, theories, and issues exploring the ways communication affects and is affected by the organizational context. Topics will include technology, diversity, and ethics in organizations; sexual harassment, negotiating/conflict management. The course involves theory application with a primary focus on the development of effective communication skills (e.g., interviewing, professional presentations, teamwork, responding non-defensively to criticism, leadership). Recommended preparation: placement in ENGL& 101. (OC)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Oral Communication Skills
or BUS 170 Customer Service for Professionals (3 credits )
Description Formerly BUSAD 170. Designed to help students understand the needs andrequirements for superior customer service. Customer service forms the basis for how we do our jobs with the objective of exceeding the expectations of our customers. Topics covered include defining customer service, basic communication techniques, customer relations, problem solving, conflict resolution, and anger and stress management. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Placement in ENGL& 101
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective

 
Total credits this quarter: 12-16

 

Quarter 3
ACCT 130 Quickbooks (3 credits)
Description This course is designed to present accounting concepts and their relationship to QuickBooks by completing transactions for a business. This will be accomplished by recording transactions, preparing a multitude of financial reports, closing an accounting period, compiling charts and graphs, and preparing payroll. Recommended preparation of ACCT 100 or ACCT& 201 with a minimum grade of C. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BTEC 122 Business Document Design (5 credits)
Description Formerly BIS 122. Advanced word processing and business document design techniques. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 121
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
or BTEC 161 Database Management I (3 credits )
Description Formerly BIS 161. Introductory course in databases. Covers basics of database creation including tables, forms, queries, and reports; introduces database management tools such as sorting, querying, and calculating. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 101
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
or BTEC 181 Introduction to Presentation Software (3 credits )
Description Formerly BIS 181. Introductory course in presentation software. Covers basics of presentation creation, revision, enhancement and delivery. Includes tips and tricks for ease in public speaking. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 101
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
OFFAD 105 Records Management (3 credits)
Description Introductory course stressing managerial considerations and systems thinking. Records organization, updating, processing, and retrieval are investigated. Recommended preparation: ENGL& 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
OFFAD 150 Office Procedures (5 credits)
Description This course introduces a variety of practical skills, knowledge, and abilities required for effectively completing daily office tasks, including time management, filing, reception, formatting interoffice memos and correspondence, basic business research, travel and meeting planning, selecting, ordering and maintaining office supplies and equipment, understanding business terminology, processing mail, and effective use of phone, fax, and email. Recommended preparation: ENGL& 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective

 
Total credits this quarter: 14-16

 Action item: Apply to graduate.
 Action item: Attend the spring job fair.

 

Quarter 4
CO-OP 180 Preparing for Career Work Experience (2 credits)
Description This course is designed for students to prepare for obtaining an internship or job, while fostering career readiness skills. Students will research careers of interest, employing community and market data. They will highlight their own strengths and skills within a professional application, including resume, cover letter, and conducting an interview for an internship or job. Finally they will analyze job retention and career readiness skills while creating a plan for ongoing professional development. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • None
or OFFAD 190 Office Administration Internship (5 credits )
Description The student will complete an academic internship that offers experience-based learning, in a structured, supervised, and career-related setting. Measurable internship learning outcomes are collaboratively created by the student, internship supervisor, and faculty mentor. The student will develop professional readiness by fostering skills necessary to work in an office environment. Repeatable with program permission. Co-op courses above 5 credits may be arranged with permission from theco-op coordinator. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • None
OFFAD 160 Office Management (5 credits)
Description This is a comprehensive course covering business organization and relationships; supervisory styles and responsibilities; employee/employer relations; office systems analysis, including work measurement, standards, and simplification; scheduling and managing multiple priorities; budgeting; advanced meeting planning; managing reprographics and mail services; and managing the office environment. Recommended preparation: ENGL& 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective

 
Total credits this quarter: 6-10

 

CLERICAL ASSISTANT, CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY (31 CREDITS)

This training endorsement provides office skills appropriate to entry-level positions requiring specialized knowledge of payroll and benefits record keeping methods. Coursework may be applied toward a one-year certificate in office administration or an AAS in business administration.

Talk with your advisor about adapting this pathway for your individual goals.

Quarter 1
BTEC 101 Introduction to Business Computing (5 credits)
Description Formerly BIS 101. This course is an introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint, Word and Excel programs used in the business environment. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of MATH 87 or MATH 097 or concurrent enrollment or permission of instructor.
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BTEC 104 Advanced Keyboarding & Microsoft Outlook (3 credits)
Description Formerly OFFAD 104. Advanced skill building in keyboarding and 10-key.In-depth study of PIM (personal information manager) software using Microsoft Outlook: e-mail, calendar, contact manager, and note taking. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 103 with a minimum grade of C.
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BUS 170 Customer Service for Professionals (3 credits)
Description Formerly BUSAD 170. Designed to help students understand the needs andrequirements for superior customer service. Customer service forms the basis for how we do our jobs with the objective of exceeding the expectations of our customers. Topics covered include defining customer service, basic communication techniques, customer relations, problem solving, conflict resolution, and anger and stress management. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Placement in ENGL& 101
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective

 
Total credits this quarter: 11

 

Quarter 2
ACCT 100 Introduction to Accounting (3 credits)
Description This course is designed to help students learn the fundamentals of accounting as applied to bookkeeping systems of small businesses and professional organizations. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BTEC 121 Word Processing I (3 credits)
Description Formerly BIS 121. Introductory course in word processing. Covers basics of document creation, formatting, and editing; introduces 'styles', graphics, and various types of standard formats. Recommended preparation: BTEC 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
OFFAD 105 Records Management (3 credits)
Description Introductory course stressing managerial considerations and systems thinking. Records organization, updating, processing, and retrieval are investigated. Recommended preparation: ENGL& 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective

 
Total credits this quarter: 9

 Action item: Apply to graduate.

 

Quarter 3
ACCT 130 Quickbooks (3 credits)
Description This course is designed to present accounting concepts and their relationship to QuickBooks by completing transactions for a business. This will be accomplished by recording transactions, preparing a multitude of financial reports, closing an accounting period, compiling charts and graphs, and preparing payroll. Recommended preparation of ACCT 100 or ACCT& 201 with a minimum grade of C. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
BTEC 161 Database Management I (3 credits)
Description Formerly BIS 161. Introductory course in databases. Covers basics of database creation including tables, forms, queries, and reports; introduces database management tools such as sorting, querying, and calculating. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 101
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
or BTEC 181 Introduction to Presentation Software (3 credits )
Description Formerly BIS 181. Introductory course in presentation software. Covers basics of presentation creation, revision, enhancement and delivery. Includes tips and tricks for ease in public speaking. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements Completion of BTEC 101
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective
OFFAD 150 Office Procedures (5 credits)
Description This course introduces a variety of practical skills, knowledge, and abilities required for effectively completing daily office tasks, including time management, filing, reception, formatting interoffice memos and correspondence, basic business research, travel and meeting planning, selecting, ordering and maintaining office supplies and equipment, understanding business terminology, processing mail, and effective use of phone, fax, and email. Recommended preparation: ENGL& 101. (UE)
Enrollment Requirements None
Course Attributes
  • Unlisted elective

 
Total credits this quarter: 11