Degrees

OFFICE ADMINISTRATION CONCENTRATION
Associate in Applied Science Degree

• Objectives
• Degree Information
• Recommended Course of Study
• Course Descriptions

Objectives:

Content

1. To provide students with knowledge of keyboarding principles used in an office technology environment.
2. To acquaint students with selected word processing application packages.
3. To prepare students to master a legible writing system that will enable them to develop notemaking skill.
4. To provide students with information concerning the proper utilization of transcribing equipment and various types of correspondence.
5. To help students recognize the importance of ethical behavior within a business environment.
6. To provide students with the mathematical concepts that relate to business activities.

Essential Skills

1. To master keyboarding skills in formatting business documents.
2. To develop a mastery of computer skills by utilizing correct formatting techniques in preparing business documents.
3. To produce integrated compound documents through the use of specific software.
4. To prepare effective messages for a culturally diverse audience.
5. To be skilled in operating transcribers, word processing software, and computers.
6. To develop job search and interviewing skills including proper formatting of employment documents.
7. To prepare for the Microsoft Office User Specialist certification tests.
8. To develop decision-making skills in carrying out tasks.

Degree Information

Maximizing the efficiency of today's hectic office environment requires effective management.  Therefore, executives are increasingly relying on administrative assistants to expand the productivity of their offices.  The Office Administration curriculum has been designed to develop those fundamental skills and personal qualifications required of a person able to "take charge" of administrative responsibilities involving anticipation of needs, the use of tact and ability to plan.

An Office Administration student will not only master administrative office skills such as speedwriting, computerized keyboarding, word processing, and transcription utilizing the computer, but also gain a working knowledge of effective management and accounting principles.  A graduate may be employed in a variety of positions in industry, banking, education, government or other fields requiring highly developed office administration abilities.

Recommended Course of Study

*Developmental courses may be required as prerequisites
**Courses listed in blue are described below. Other course descriptions are listed with Core Requirements

Course Descriptions - Office Technology

OT 103 - Speedwriting
This course introduces the basic principles of an abbreviated longhand writing system based on phonetics and lays the foundation for vocabulary and speed in taking dictation.   It is designed to help students increase their speed in making legible notes and to teach note taking skills for personal, educational and business use (3 Credits).  Click here to view OT 103 course objectives.

OT 105 - Introduction to Keyboarding
This course stresses a thorough knowledge of the computer keyboard with the development of speed and accuracy. Exercises are provided for the perfecting of techniques and control. Students type business letters, personal letters, tabulations and reports (3 Credits).    Click here to view OT 105 course objectives.

OT 106 - Intermediate Keyboarding
This course builds directly on the competencies developed in the Introduction to Keyboarding course, leading students toward higher speed, greater accuracy, improved communication skills and refinement of formatting ability. Emphasis is placed on features, form letters and memos from a variety of source copy. To provide realism and promote transfer of learning, students prepare documents from script and rough-draft copy (3 Credits). Prerequisite: OT 105  Click here to view OT 106 course objectives.

OT 203 - Machine Transcription
This course is a beginning course that teaches basic transcribing skills. Students are taught to transcribe mailable copy from a transcribing unit with emphasis on spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and proofreading. Effective use of the dictionary and other reference books is also covered (3 Credits). Prerequisite: OT 105  Click here to view OT 203 course objectives.

OT 221 Integrated Computer Applications

This course offers emphasis on the integration of software by utilizing tools that facilitate communication. Students will build on their word processing experience and also learn the basics in a suite of software that includes presentations, word processing, spreadsheet, and database. The combination of software information will enable the student to integrate the knowledge they have gained and apply it in meaningful applications.  (3 Credits).  Click here to view OT 221 course objectives.

OT 213 - Medical Terminology/Medical Transcription I
Terminology/Transcription is a two-part course designed for the prospective medical secretary/transcriptionist. Students learn 350 medical word elements that are used to form thousands of medical terms. This vocabulary is emphasized in the transcription of histories and physicals, radiology reports and operative reports relating to various medical specialties (3 Credits). Prerequisite: OT 105  Click here to view OT 213 course objectives.

OT 215 - Medical Terminology/Medical Transcription II
This course is designed to strengthen transcription skills through realistic medical office reports. It develops accuracy and speed in transcribing medical dictation pertaining to specialized areas of medicine. A broad knowledge of medical terms, drugs, instruments and procedures is developed as students transcribe histories and physicals, pathology and operation reports, discharge summaries, x-ray reports and consultation findings. The tapes used have been prepared by the American Medical Records Association and have been drawn from actual case histories (3 Credits). Prerequisite: OT 213 Click here to view OT 215 course objectives.

OT 220 – Microsoft Office
Utilizing a Windows-based application software program, the Microsoft Office course will teach the student the fundamental skills necessary to operate one of the more popular software packages used in business today. The fundamentals of word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation graphics through the use of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access and Microsoft PowerPoint will be emphasized, with hands-on experience provided by using practical problems to illustrate personal computer applications (3 Credits). Prerequisite: IS 100