The administrative professional option offers a full associate's degree and two different certificate programs — clerical office and medical office. These programs are designed for the student seeking an office management career in a multitude of private or public settings. Employers increasingly require extensive knowledge of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, and database management. Administrative assistants should be proficient in keyboarding and good at spelling, punctuation, grammar, and oral communication. Because administrative assistants must be tactful in their dealings with people, employers also look for good customer service and interpersonal skills. Discretion, good judgment, organizational or management ability, initiative, and the ability to work independently are especially important for higher-level administrative positions. As office automation continues to evolve, retraining and continuing education will remain an integral part of administrative assistant job opportunities. Changes in office environments have increased the demand for administrative assistants who are adaptable and versatile. Administrative assistants may have to attend classes or participate in online education in order to learn how to operate new office technologies, such as information storage systems, scanners, the Internet, or new updated software packages. They may also get involved in selecting and maintaining equipment.
Courses
Semester 1
Medical Law and Ethics
or E-Business Law & Ethics or
Introduction to Law & Paralegal Practice
Keyboarding Applications
Introduction to Microcomputer Applications
Introduction to English Composition**
Math Elective
Semester 2
Financial Accounting I
Medical Office Administration I or
Business Office Procedures
Advanced Microcomputer Applications
Web Page Development I
English Composition & Literature I
Semester 3
Medical/ Dental Billing and Insurance
English Composition & Literature II
Internet Communications
Elective
Science Elective
Semester 4
Administrative Professional Cooperative Work Experience
Database Management Application Development
Principles of Macroeconomics
Technical and Workplace Writing
Human Relations in Organizations