Office Assistant

Certificate of Completion

Credits: 65-67 | Length of Program: 4 quarters

Subject: Office Technology and Administration

Office Assistant - Certificate of Completion

The Office Assistant performs a wide range of clerical tasks and other staff services to facilitate the operation of the office. This program prepares the student to be able to create business correspondence, reports, and forms; to follow verbal and written instructions; to work with and to develop decision-making skills. Office administration techniques and accurate document preparation are emphasized.

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Career Opportunities

Graduates may work with state, county, or other municipal agencies as well as private industry. Typical duties may include formatting documents, composing business correspondence, filing, and performing receptionist functions. See Business, Finance & Office Administration » Office Technology and Administration for more career and employment information.

Length of Program

The Office Assistant certificate program takes a minimum of four quarters of full-time studies for the certificate.

Application Process / How to Apply

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Program Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the Office Assistant Certificate, the successful student will be able to:

Apply critical thinking, professional practices, and efficient techniques to complete job tasks
Communicate clearly and professionally with clients, supervisor, and coworkers
Evaluate a workplace problem and apply appropriate strategies and valid reasoning to process quantitative and symbolic data
Recognize ethical dilemmas in the workplace and evaluate the consequences
Identify and adjust to workplace differences in order to operate collaboratively and effectively

In addition, students who complete the program will demonstrate the following skills standards:

Demonstrate the ability to maintain proficiency with evolving technologies

Ed Plan / Class List

Required Courses

CCS101 Pathways to Success 3 Credits Search Schedule

Cultivates the mind-set and skills necessary for students to become confident, reflective, self-directing, and successful learners. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 090 or higher.

OFTEC111 Keyboarding 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the alphabetic, numeric, and symbol keys by touch. Focuses on wellness and ergonomic issues while developing keyboarding skills. Students can test out of this class by demonstrating proficiency on a placement test. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC112 Skill Building 2 Credits Search Schedule

Continues development of keyboarding skills with an emphasis on ergonomically correct technique. Students can test out of this class by demonstrating proficiency on a placement test. Prerequisite: OFTEC 111.

OFTEC105 Filing 2 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces basic indexing and filing rules as they relate to alphabetic, geographic, subject, and numeric filing systems for records management. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC108 Introduction to Microsoft Office 3 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces the software components of Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access. Prerequisite: None.

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OFTEC100 Introduction to Computer Concepts & Applications 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces basic computer concepts for a new computer user. Students will receive computer instruction on word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics software. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC125 Digital Productivity Tools 4 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces web-based tools used for office productivity and workflow management. Includes personal information systems and file sharing. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC136 Microsoft Word I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Prepares students to use the features of Microsoft Word software to create a variety of documents for business or personal use. The ability to type at least 25 words per minute (wpm) is recommended. Prerequisite: OFTEC 100 or OFTEC 108.

OFTEC141 Excel 5 Credits Search Schedule

Covers Excel worksheet and workbook concepts and functions. Advanced topics such as database functions and macros will be introduced. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108 or OFTEC 100 and MATH 092.

OFTEC150 Formatting I 4 Credits Search Schedule

Covers basic formatting of business letters, memorandums, tables, and reports using word processing software, including keyboarding skill development and language arts concepts. The ability to type 30 words per minute (wpm) by touch is recommended. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108 or OFTEC 136.

OFTEC160 Business English 5 Credits Search Schedule

Examines language arts skills applied to proper business writing. Prerequisite: Eligible for ENGL 098 or ENGL& 101.

OFTEC165 Office Procedures 5 Credits Search Schedule

Covers managing day-to-day activities to keep an office running efficiently and effectively. Discusses professional and ethical scenarios. OFTEC 108 recommended prior to enrollment or taken concurrently. Prerequisite: None.

OFTEC170 Practical Accounting 5 Credits Search Schedule

Covers the fundamentals of accounting for the office worker who will assist in accounting procedures. Prerequisite: MATH 092 or BUS 104.

OFTEC260 Business Communication 5 Credits Search Schedule

Explores the principles of effective communication in business emphasizing the human relations factor, through correspondence, report writing, and an oral presentation. OFTEC 160 recommended. Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a "C" or better.
Distribution: AAS-ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION

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ENGL&235 Technical Writing 5 Credits Search Schedule

Introduces technical writing skills necessary to communicate effectively in the workplace. Emphasizes written documents, successful teamwork strategies, and ethical considerations in workplace communication. Prerequisite: ENGL& 101 with a "C" or better.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, AAS-SPEAKING-LISTENING, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-ADDITIONAL COMMUNICATION

General Education Requirements

ENGL&101 English Composition I 5 Credits Search Schedule

Develops writing skills by focusing on strategies and techniques writers use to convey ideas, evaluate information, make a point, and participate in multiple discourse communities. Emphasizes both the process and the product of writing. This course was formerly known as WRIT 101, College Writing I. Prerequisite: Appropriate placement test scores OR appropriate completion of ENGL 095, ENGL 095X, or ENGL 098 OR concurrent enrollment in ENGL 110 with instructor's permission.
Distribution: AA, AAS, AS, DTA, COMMUNICATION, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-COMMUNICATION, AAS-COMMUNICATION: Reading/Writing, AAS-READING-WRITING

BUS104 Business Math 5 Credits Search Schedule

Emphasizes solving practical problems in business, including percentages, payroll, simple and compound interest, annuities, discounts, and markups using a calculator. Prerequisite: MATH 092.
Distribution: AAS, AAS-COMPUTATION

Human Relations

5 Credits in HUMAN RELATIONS

Diversity Requirement
Diversity-designated courses at South Puget Sound Community College provide opportunities for students to develop awareness of their own social and cultural identities, seek understanding of others, and cultivate skills to communicate across cultures and differences. All programs require the completion of a diversity course.

Effective Catalog Year 2020-2021

Additional Information

An Office Assistant Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon successful completion of all required courses. Courses used to complete the certificates apply directly to the Office Administration AAS degree.

Special Program Note: Students should take enough keyboarding classes (OFTEC 111, 112, and 113) to achieve a minimum typing speed for their certificate program: Office Assistant Certificate – 40 words per minute. Students who can keyboard by touch may be eligible to bypass this class and still receive credit through the college’s advanced standing process. See a faculty advisor to discuss this option.

Revision Date:

May 1, 2020