Office Assistant
Certificate of Completion
Credits: 65-67 |
Length of Program: 4 quarters
Subject: Office Technology and Administration
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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
- Identify and adjust to workplace differences in order to operate collaboratively and effectively
- Recognize ethical dilemmas in the workplace and evaluate the consequences
- Demonstrate the ability to maintain proficiency with evolving technologies
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.
-OR-
OFTEC100
Introduction to Computer Concepts & Applications
5 Credits Search Schedule
Designed for the novice computer user. Students will receive integrated computer instruction on word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation graphics software as well as the use of the Internet and web-based tools to achieve basic skills and knowledge in using a computer. Prerequisite: Instructor's permission.
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
An introduction to Excel for worksheet applications. Creating simple worksheets using numbers, dates, text, formulas, desktop features, formatting, charting, printing, and file handling. Techniques include copying, moving, relative, and absolutes cell references, using functions in formulas, file linking, multiple windows, and range naming. More advanced topics such as database and macros will also be introduced. Prerequisite: OFTEC 108 or OFTEC 100 and MATH 092.
OFTEC150
Formatting I
4 Credits Search Schedule
Basic formatting techniques in keyboarding skill development using a personal computer with word processing software. Provides an introduction to business letters, memorandums, tables, and reports. 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.
-OR-
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, COMMUNICATION, AAS-SPEAKING-LISTENING, GER-CIS, AA-AAS-T-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
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 2019-2020
The Office Assistant certificate program takes a minimum of four quarters of full-time studies for the certificate.
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.
