This program prepares students for careers in administrative support and first-line supervision. Depending upon a student’s area of concentration, graduates will qualify for positions as administrative assistant, legal office assistant, medical secretary, graphics and desktop publisher, web design assistant, office manager, or help desk specialist.
Students completing this program are expected to possess excellent keyboarding, proofreading, and document formatting skills; advanced computer application skills; strong communication skills; broad administrative support skills; excellent interpersonal skills; flexibility; and professionalism. Students completing this program may be expected to supervise lower-level clerical staff.
Students with work experience and advanced skills should contact the program coordinator for assessment and course substitution information. Students without prerequisite skills are expected to take the necessary additional courses. An important feature of this program is the internship/seminar component that provides on-the-job training and offers the student new to the field an opportunity to work in and evaluate a professional setting. The employer also can evaluate the student for possible full-time employment upon graduation. The internship component takes place during each spring semester. Office Technology partners with the Job Resource Center to provide on-campus internship opportunities with five departments on the Palos Hills campus, and one at Blue Island. It is not required to be work-study eligible. The internship is mandatory for those in the program pursuing a degree, but is an elective for those earning a certificate. However, it is strongly encouraged so students can gain real-world experience and become better acclimated to their future work environment.
Program prerequisite: keyboarding skill of 40 net words per minute by touch. Students who need to reach this skill level must enroll in OSA-100 Keyboarding & Basic Formatting (3 credit hours).
Small Business Owners
Acquire skill sets that will support small businesses with success. Learn how to use Microsoft office suites to manage your day-to-day activity.
Learn:
- Excel - manage inventory, create schedules
- QuickBooks - balance books and budgets
- Outlook - organize meetings and calendars
- PowerPoint - create business presentations
- Soft skills classes - train you or employees on customer service.
Professional and Administrative
Brush up on or learn new skills that will help you in the workforce. . Learn the skills needed and earn a certificate to enter these job fields.
- Earn a MOS Microsoft Office Specialist certification
- Keyboarding for accuracy
- Accurately prepare documents
Students Preparing to Enter the Workforce
Set yourself apart by preparing to enter the workforce early.
- Get resume help
- Participate in mock interviews and internships on campus
- Explore business communication classes that help you navigate the professional world
$19.08
Media Hourly Pay
$39,680
Median Annual Salary
This program prepares students for careers in administrative support and first-line supervision. Depending upon a student’s area of concentration, graduates will qualify for positions as an administrative assistant, legal office assistant, medical secretary, graphics and desktop publisher, web design assistant, or office manager.
About 354,000 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
About 900 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics
Stackable Certificates
This program prepares students for positions as administrative assistants, executive assistants, and secretaries. Graduates acquire strong skills in computer applications, written communications, and office procedures. Keyboarding, proofreading, document formatting, and language skills are emphasized.
Program prerequisite: keyboarding skill of 40 net words per minute by touch. Students who need to reach this skill level must enroll in OSA-100 Keyboarding & Basic Formatting (3 credit hours).
This program prepares students to utilize a keyboard to enter data from source documents into a computer, with students completing tasks such as entering alphabetic, numeric, or symbolic keystrokes. Students learn to compile, sort, and verify the accuracy of data to be entered. Keyboarding accuracy is stressed.
This program prepares students for positions as administrative assistants in a legal office. Graduates are skilled in office applications with an emphasis on advanced word processing, legal terminology and legal procedures. Graduates of this program must possess a high degree of professionalism, as well as superior keyboarding, word processing, language skills, and proofreading skills.
Program prerequisite: keyboarding skill of 40 net words per minute by touch. Students who need to reach this skill level must enroll in OSA-100 Keyboarding & Basic Formatting (3 credit hours).
This program is appropriate for any individual who wishes to become proficient in computer applications to further advance his or her current position or to open doors to new opportunities in the workplace. This certificate may be applied to the Administrative Assistant certificate and the A.A.S. degree in Office Systems and Applications. Students pursuing certificates and degrees in business should consider this certificate as well. Courses in this certificate prepare students for Microsoft Office Specialist certification.
Program prerequisites: keyboarding skill of 40 wpm by touch. Students who need to reach this skill level must enroll in OSA-100 (3 credit), Keyboarding & Basic Formatting. Students with little or no knowledge of microcomputers should also enroll in IMS-100, Personal Computer Basics.
This program prepares students for administrative assistant positions in medical offices or in health-related industries. Students gain knowledge of administrative and receptionist duties, medical transcription, and data entry. They will be prepared to produce reports, schedule appointments, answer telephones, and interact with vendors and patients. Familiarity with medical terminology, filing procedures, and computer applications is included.
This program prepares students for positions as receptionists and office assistants. Students learn proper techniques and procedures for greeting visitors, handling incoming calls, sorting and routing incoming materials, and performing general administrative duties. Filing, document formatting, and language skills are emphasized.
Program prerequisite: keyboarding skill of 40 wpm by touch. Students who need to reach this skill level must enroll in OSA-100 Keyboarding & Basic Formatting (3 credit hours).
Program Details
| Program Name | Type of Credential | Curriculum Code | Department or Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| Administrative Professional | Certificate | 1315 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
| Data Entry | Certificate | 1317 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
| Legal Office Professional | Certificate | 1316 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
| Medical Office Professional | Certificate | 1318 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
| Microsoft Office Specialist | Certificate | 1456 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
| Office Technology | A.A.S. | 1257 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
| Office Assistant | Certificate | 1214 | Computer Information & Office Technology |
Questions?
Contact the program director Cathi Predl using this form.
