Administrative Office Specialist

1. Define and recognize business etiquette and professionalism in the workplace and exhibit these skills in class interactions and communications such as e-mail and the discussion board.
2. Show basic keyboarding competency.
3. Utilize software applications necessary for business office operations including file management, e-mail, calendaring, search engines, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
4. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Word skills to create and edit flyers, letters, and reports using templates, mail merge, and building blocks.
5. Employ intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills to create business presentations that demonstrate appropriate design techniques.
6. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills to use formulas and functions to create and edit worksheets, workbooks, charts and graphics, lookup tables, pivot tables, and charts as used in business scenarios.
7. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Access skills to practice how to plan, design, create, and query a database, generate reports, and produce input user forms while recognizing correct database design concepts.
8. Apply accounting principles as they pertain to business office bookkeeping scenarios. Complete an accounting simulation by applying bookkeeping functions using QuickBooks.
9. Practice methods to integrate Office 365 software to achieve efficiency in office operations.
10. Recognize and use correct mechanics, grammar, punctuation, and usage appropriate for professional business communications.
11. Express thoughts clearly, concisely, and appropriately in verbal and written format by consistently using correct formatting and message approach (direct, indirect).
12. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding speed and accuracy and knowledge of correct document formatting.
13. Demonstrate knowledge of roles and functions of various professionals; collaborate and problem-solve as part of the office team.

Administrative office specialists perform a full range of office responsibilities. They collaborate with administrators and other support personnel to ensure efficiency and accuracy in all office tasks.  This includes employing a variety of software packages which may include word processing, database, presentation, desktop publishing, electronic calendaring and meeting, and bookkeeping software.   
 
Other types of responsibilities include executing mail procedures, preparing communications, such as emails, invoices, reports, and other correspondence, maintain filing systems, both electronic and physical, managing accounts and performing bookkeeping duties. In some offices, administrative office specialists may be responsible for one or two of these areas. In a small office, they may be responsible for all of them.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Education and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

Program Sequence

Students can choose to complete this program part-time. Part-time students will take longer to complete their program than students who follow the full-time sequence listed on the official program guide. Because every course may not be offered each semester, it is important for part-time students to reach out to their faculty advisors for help in planning their long-term, part-time course sequence.

If you need help picking out your first semester courses, reach out to your faculty advisor or enrollment services.

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Office Communication Specialist
Certificate

Office Software Specialist
Certificate

1. Define and recognize business etiquette and professionalism in the workplace and exhibit these skills in class interactions and communications such as e-mail and the discussion board.
2. Show basic keyboarding competency.
3.  Utilize software applications necessary for business office operations including file management, e-mail, calendaring, search engines, word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
4. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Word skills to create and edit flyers, letters, and reports using templates, mail merge and building blocks.
5. Employ intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills to create business presentations that demonstrate appropriate design techniques.
6. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills to use formulas and functions to create and edit worksheets, workbooks, charts and graphics, lookup tables, pivot tables, and charts as used in business scenarios.

Administrative office support specialists are needed in virtually every industry. In this technology-intensive economy, support professionals with keyboarding and productivity software skills are highly sought after by employers. Having the knowledge and skills to perform word processing as well as create and manipulate Excel worksheets are a must. The ability to create dynamic presentations for bosses and colleagues in PowerPoint is essential.

The ideal candidate should have excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work independently and possess an attention to detail. The ability to work as part of a team and project a professional image is also important.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Some courses in this program may require a prerequisite. Please see course descriptions for more details.

Program Sequence

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Office Communication Specialist
Certificate

Office Software Specialist
Certificate