A Student Working in an Office.

Administrative Office Specialist

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Does the idea of a career with diverse job responsibilities and being the go-to person in an organization appeal to you?

The Anoka Technical College Administrative Office Specialist program prepares students with the broad range of technical and communications skills needed for success in today’s office work environment.

Students will gain skills and competence in:

  • word processing
  • spreadsheet, database, and presentation software
  • keyboarding speed and accuracy
  • grammar, punctuation and writing skills
  • bookkeeping theory and general accounting software
Learningoptions Blk

 Offered completely online with part-time options

Opportunities Blk

Career opportunities in virtually any industry

Growthpotential Blk

Foundation for advancement to office management

Potential Jobs:

  • Administrative Assistant
  • Administrative Office Specialist  
  • Business Operations Coordinator
  • Customer Service Representative

Salary Information:
Median Wage: $23.81 per hour
Top Earners: $24.05 per hour

Information provided is for Minnesota. See current data at careerwise.minnstate.edu.

Profile Mplaster 192X192

"Anoka Tech is a great place to learn. The Administrative Specialist program is a great program where I learned many things that help me in the work force. I took online courses but teachers were more then happy to arrange in person meetings or online meetings to help when needed."

Megan Plaster '20
Administrative Office Specialist AAS degree

Program Details

Program Details (pdf)

The Anoka Technical College Administrative Office Specialist program offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree is a 60-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.

  1. 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. 
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding speed and accuracy and knowledge of correct document formatting.
  5. 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.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of roles and functions of various professionals; collaborate and problem-solve as part of the office team.   
  7. Demonstrate ability to set priorities, organize work, and sequence tasks appropriately, and consistently complete projects on a schedule. 
  8. 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.
  9. Develop and evaluate customer service skills by ascertaining the characteristics of a customer service organization and using customer service skills in servicing customers professionally.
  10. The Administrative Office Specialist AAS degree includes all technical courses along with 15 Minnesota Transfer Curriculum general education credits to help provide a well-rounded education. The completion of a degree shows commitment and dedication and can be advantageous for students seeking jobs beyond entry level or with employers who require a degree.    

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.

MnTC General Education Requirements

This program requires completion of the following fifteen credits of general education from at least three goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). Refer to the MnTC course list for elective courses:

INTS 1000 Critical Thinking Applications for College (Goal 2) 3
MnTC Electives   12

Program Sequence

Fall Semester 15
ADSC 1003 Introduction to Keyboarding and Speedbuilding 2
ADSC 1197 Microsoft Word 4
COMP 1002 Computer Technologies for Communication 2
INTS 1000 Critical Thinking Applications for College 3
MnTC Elective   4
Spring Semester 15
ADSC 1010 Keyboarding I 3
ADSC 1031 Business English Skills 3
ADSC 1181 Microsoft Access 2
ADSC 1206 Written Business Communications 4
Technical Elective See technical elective list below 3
Fall Semester 15
ADSC 1045 Administrative Office Procedures 4
ADSC 1054 Office Bookkeeping 4
ADSC 1162 Microsoft PowerPoint 2
ADSC 1171 Microsoft Excel 2
Technical Elective See technical elective list below 3
Spring Semester 13
ADSC 1142 Integrated Software Applications 4
MnTC Electives   8
Technical Elective See elective list below 3
Course Electives
Any SMGT courses    
ADSC 1006 Business Law 4
ADSC 1115 Legal Procedures 5
ADSC 1451 Technology Tools for the Workplace 3

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. 

Faculty

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

Current Students

register for classes

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

Apply to Graduate

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.
Profile 20C01AT 192X192

"I worked in the Administrative Office while I was attending Anoka Tech. I loved what I was doing there and everything I was learning from my supervisor and mentors was contributing to what I was studying at Anoka Tech."

Angie Genchi '20
Administrative Office Specialist diploma

Program Details

Program Details (pdf)

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in keyboarding speed and accuracy and knowledge of correct document formatting.
  5. 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.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of roles and functions of various professionals; collaborate and problem-solve as part of the office team.
  7. Demonstrate ability to set priorities, organize work, and sequence tasks appropriately, and consistently complete projects on a schedule.
  8. 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.
  9. Develop and evaluate customer service skills by ascertaining the characteristics of a customer service organization and using customer service skills in servicing customers professionally.

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

Fall Semester 13
ADSC 1003 Introduction to Keyboarding and Speedbuilding 2
ADSC 1162 Microsoft PowerPoint 2
ADSC 1197 Microsoft Word 4
COMP 1002 Computer Technologies for Communication 2
INTS 1000 Critical Thinking Applications for College (Goal 2) 3
Spring Semester 16
ADSC 1010 Keyboarding I 3
ADSC 1031 Business English Skills 3
ADSC 1142 Integrated Software Applications 4
ADSC 1181 Microsoft Access 2
ADSC 1206 Written Business Communications 4
Fall Semester 10
ADSC 1045 Administrative Office Procedures 4
ADSC 1054 Office Bookkeeping 4
ADSC 1171 Microsoft Excel 2

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.

Faculty

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

Start Dates:

Fall semester: August
Spring semester: January
Summer semester: May

Upcoming Events:

Mar
22
Apr
04
Spring Open House
  4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
RSVP

Important Dates:

Contact

Enrollment Services
EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu
763-576-7710

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