Office Support Specialist

Overview

The Office Support Specialist (OSS) Certificate program offers students training in the latest technological advances in order to keep skills current, as well as provide those traditional job skills needed for reentry into the office job markets.

The Office Support Specialist Certificate includes courses in the use of microcomputer and in-depth training on popular software packages such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, and PowerPoint. It also includes courses in keyboarding, transcription, and written communication.

Basic keyboarding is a skill necessary for successful course completion in the Office Support Specialist Certificate program; therefore, AOT 105 is a prerequisite course for most AOT courses. Students are required to take AOT 105 or score 25 net words per minute on the keyboarding placement test.

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

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Questions?

Print Plan

Sample Program Plan and Costs

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all of the courses offered within the Business/Public Service and Information Systems Technology Departments for the grade to be counted toward graduation. Specifically, theses included courses with the following prefixes: ACC, AOT, BAF, BUS, CPT, EGR, HUS, IST, LEG, MGT, and MKT.

Students must meet all exit program competencies for graduation from this program.

Class Delivery Methods

View current courses offered via our online course directory.

On-Campus	Traditional. Classes meet on campus.
Virtual	100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom.
Hybrid	Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual.
Online	100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time.

Full Time Schedule
Part Time Schedule

Full Time Schedule

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Semester 1 (12 Credit Hours)	CPT-170	Microcomputer Applications Microcomputer Applications ID: CPT-170 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces microcomputer applications software, including word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration.	•	•		3
	AOT-110	Document Formatting Document Formatting ID: AOT-110 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes speed, accuracy, and developing document formatting skills using keyboarding competencies.		•		3
	AOT-161	Records Management Records Management ID: AOT-161 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes records management functions and various types of storage methods, technology, and procedures.	•			3
	CPT-179	Microcomputer Word Processing Microcomputer Word Processing ID: CPT-179 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces microcomputer word processing. Topics include creating, editing, formatting, and printing documents.	•			3
Semester 2 (12 Credit Hours)	AOT-134	Office Communications Office Communications ID: AOT-134 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of grammar, punctuation, and written communication skills for the office environment.		•	•	3
	AOT-143	Office Systems and Procedures Office Systems and Procedures ID: AOT-143 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes procedures and applications used in the office environment.	•			3
	CPT-172	Computer Database Computer Database ID: CPT-172 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces computer database concepts, including generating reports from database, creating, maintaining, and modifying databases.	•	•		3
	CPT-174	Computer Spreadsheets Computer Spreadsheets ID: CPT-174 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces the use of spreadsheet software on the microcomputer. Topics include creating, editing, using formulas, using functions, and producing graphs.	•	•		3
Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-279	Advanced Microcomputer Word Processing Advanced Microcomputer Word Processing ID: CPT-279 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes complex applications of word processing software for the microcomputer using advanced concepts.	•			3
Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours)	AOT-234	Administrative Office Communications Administrative Office Communications ID: AOT-234 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes communication skills necessary in the business environment. It includes composing business correspondence, developing and giving oral presentations, practicing recording and translating information using the latest technology, and developing effective communication skills.	•			3
			Total Credit Hours		30
			Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$5,640.00 Not including fees and equipment

Part Time Schedule

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Semester 1 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-170	Microcomputer Applications Microcomputer Applications ID: CPT-170 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces microcomputer applications software, including word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration.	•	•		3
Semester 1 (6 Credit Hours)	AOT-110	Document Formatting Document Formatting ID: AOT-110 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes speed, accuracy, and developing document formatting skills using keyboarding competencies.		•		3
Semester 2 (6 Credit Hours)	AOT-161	Records Management Records Management ID: AOT-161 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes records management functions and various types of storage methods, technology, and procedures.	•			3
Semester 2 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-179	Microcomputer Word Processing Microcomputer Word Processing ID: CPT-179 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces microcomputer word processing. Topics include creating, editing, formatting, and printing documents.	•			3
Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours)	AOT-134	Office Communications Office Communications ID: AOT-134 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of grammar, punctuation, and written communication skills for the office environment.		•	•	3
Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours)	AOT-143	Office Systems and Procedures Office Systems and Procedures ID: AOT-143 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes procedures and applications used in the office environment.	•			3
Semester 4 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-172	Computer Database Computer Database ID: CPT-172 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces computer database concepts, including generating reports from database, creating, maintaining, and modifying databases.	•	•		3
Semester 4 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-174	Computer Spreadsheets Computer Spreadsheets ID: CPT-174 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces the use of spreadsheet software on the microcomputer. Topics include creating, editing, using formulas, using functions, and producing graphs.	•	•		3
Semester 5 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-279	Advanced Microcomputer Word Processing Advanced Microcomputer Word Processing ID: CPT-279 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes complex applications of word processing software for the microcomputer using advanced concepts.	•			3
Semester 5 (6 Credit Hours)	AOT-234	Administrative Office Communications Administrative Office Communications ID: AOT-234 Credit Hours: 3 This course emphasizes communication skills necessary in the business environment. It includes composing business correspondence, developing and giving oral presentations, practicing recording and translating information using the latest technology, and developing effective communication skills.	•			3
			Total Credit Hours		30
			Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$5,640.00 Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Administrative Specialist

An Administrative Specialist may greet visitors, route and resolve information requests, supervise support clerical staff, review, track and prepare budgets; maintain records and databases, coordinate space and office organization; purchase and manage supplies and equipment, and coordinate office and/or departmental operations.

Projected Job Growth

+2.3%

Average Annual Salary

$48,081

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Government Agencies
Educational Institutions
Insurance Companies

Careers

Executive Administrative Assistant

The Executive Administrative Assistant provides high-level administrative support for an office and for top executives of an organization. They often handle more complex responsibilities, such as reviewing incoming documents, conducting research, and preparing reports. Executive Administrative Assistants also receive visitors, arrange conference calls, and schedule meetings. Training and supervising lower-level clerical staff is another possible duty.

Average Annual Salary

$59,862

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Government Agencies
Educational Institutions
Insurance Companies

Careers

Office Clerk

The Office Clerk will be able to handle phone calls, schedule appointments, type, format, and edit routine messages, use verbal and written communication skills effectively, handle confidential information discretely, and use standard office equipment and software in a professional manner.

Average Annual Salary

$29,922

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Government Agencies
Educational Institutions
Insurance Companies

What’s next after I complete this program?

Further Your Education

The Office Support Specialist certificate graduates can use credits obtained in this program to further their education in the Administrative Office Technology degree program.

Start Your Career

After earning your Office Support Specialist certificate, be ready to enter the workforce equipped with the necessary skills to excel in this administrative office support field. Advance in your career path with your Office Support Specialist certificate proudly displayed.

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