The Anoka Technical College Administrative Office Specialist diploma is a 39-credit program that prepares students with the broad range of technical and communications skills needed for success in today’s office work environment. Students will gain competence in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation software. Keyboarding speed and accuracy is developed while grammar, punctuation and writing skills are polished. Students study bookkeeping theory and learn general ledger software in order to prepare them for general bookkeeping or accounts receivable or accounts payable positions. Students are well prepared to fulfill any office support position and may advance to office management.
Admissions Requirements
Students are required to have an Next-Gen reading score of 250 or higher or appropriate test score for admittance to the program. If students do not achieve 250 or higher, they may take ATC READ 0960 or ATC READ 0900 achieving a C or higher for admittance to the program.
Course Prerequisites
See Credits:
[A] The prerequisite to ADSC1010 Keyboarding I is ADSC1003 Introduction to Keyboarding and Speedbuilding.
Some courses may require appropriate test score or completing basic math, basic English and/or reading courses with a “C” or better.
Program Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will achieve the following learning outcomes.
- Exhibit effective interpersonal skills and professional attitudes by demonstrating the ability to communicate with authority figures and peers; follow work rules and expectations appropriately; maintain confidentiality; and recognize an appropriate business appearance.
- Demonstrate the ability to express thoughts clearly, concisely, and appropriately in verbal and written format by consistently using correct mechanics, grammar, format, and message approach (direct, indirect).
- Demonstrate the use of critical thinking skills to analyze and solve business problems by demonstrating the ability to define problems, find relevant information, synthesize and evaluate information, and implement decisions.
- Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding speed and accuracy and knowledge of correct document formatting.
- Demonstrate technical competency by utilizing a wide range of software applications necessary for business office operations; demonstrates initiative in learning to use new technology, and applies new technology accurately in office settings.
- Demonstrate knowledge of roles and functions of various professionals; collaborate and problem-solve as part of the office team.
- Demonstrate ability to set priorities, organize work, and sequence tasks appropriately, and consistently complete projects on a schedule.
- Demonstrate the ability to perform mathematical calculations necessary in business applications including accounting, by working with percentages; decimals and fractions; understanding accounting principles as they are applied to business office bookkeeping; and using formulas for creating spreadsheets and databases.
- Develop and evaluate customer service skills by ascertaining the characteristics of a customer service organization and using customer service skills in servicing customers professionally.
Program Sequence
First Semester
|
12
|
ADSC 1003 |
Introduction to Keyboarding and Speedbuilding
|
2
|
ADSC 1031 |
Business English Skills |
3
|
ADSC 1162 |
Microsoft PowerPoint
|
2
|
COMP 1002
|
Computer Technologies for Communication
|
2
|
INTS 1000
|
Critical Thinking Applications for College
|
3
|
Second Semester
|
15
|
ADSC 1010 |
Keyboarding I [A]
|
3
|
ACCT 1171 |
Microsoft Excel
|
2 |
ADSC 1181 |
Microsoft Access
|
2
|
ADSC 1197 |
Microsoft Word |
4 |
ADSC 1206
|
Written Business Communications
|
4
|
Third Semester
|
12
|
ADSC 1045 |
Administrative Office Procedures |
4
|
ADSC 1154 |
Microsoft PowerPoint
|
4
|
ADSC 1142 |
Microsoft Excel
|
4
|
Part-Time Options
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 (see the program guide PDF under the LINKS section to the right). 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 (contact info can be found under the “Contact” section on the top right portion of this page).
Graduation Requirements
All Anoka Technical College students seeking an Associate in Applied Science (AAS), diploma, or certificate must meet the cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher.
Transfer Opportunities
To see how this may transfer into other Anoka Technical College program or into another college, visit:
Industry Information
Administrative office specialists perform a full range of office tasks. They use a variety of software packages (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, graphics, desktop publishing, multi-media, etc.) to creates, record, edit, and store correspondence, reports, tables and forms from many sources.
They may also read and route incoming mail, file and retrieve correspondence and other records manually or electronically, transcribe business correspondence from machine dictation, answer telephones and give information to callers or route calls to the appropriate individual, operate copying and faxing equipment, perform bookkeeping duties, transactions and make travel arrangements.
Wage/Outlook/Advancement
Faculty