2021-2022 Catalog

Office Assistant Certificate of Completion

45 credits

The Office Assistant Certificate of Completion is provided by the Office Professions Department.

Program Description

The Office Assistant Certificate of Completion prepares students for general office employment. The certificate focuses on skills & knowledge needed for entry-level office employment including records management and filing, math and calculator skills, word processing, presentation, database, and spreadsheet applications, customer service skills, business writing skills, and general workplace competencies necessary for office employment. Students also complete a practicum consisting of experience in a local office.

Career Opportunities

Students who complete the Office Assistant Certificate of Completion will be prepared for employment in entry-level general office positions. According to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, for Office and Administrative Support Occupations the current average salary in Montana is $34,990.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Certificate of Completion in Office Assistant, graduates will be able to:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic office skills, including record management, writing meeting minutes, and operating a 10-key calculator.
  • Exhibit competency in basic office skills and professionalism in a practicum setting.
  • Demonstrate appropriate workplace relationships and communication skills.
  • Create and maintain spreadsheets, database, presentations and word processing documents.
  • Understand skills related to job seeking, interviewing, and job retention.
  • Demonstrate the ability to write business messages.
  • Discuss considerations for Native American/Alaska Native populations in the workplace.

Curriculum

Fall First Year

BUMG100Introduction to Business

3

BUMG160Personal Finance

3

CAPP105Computers for College Success

1

IDST101SKC Seminar

3

OFED130Office Essentials

3

Total Credit Hours:13

Winter First Year

CAPP140Word Processing

3

CAPP162Data Management Systems

3

ENGL101English Composition I

3

MATH103Contemporary Math

5

OFED142Professional Relationships in the Workplace

3

Total Credit Hours:17

Spring First Year

CAPP161Electronic Spreadsheets

3

CAPP170Electronic Presentations

2

NASD101History of Indians in the United States

3

OFED171Customer Service

2

OFED261Office Communication and Procedures

3

OFED290Office Practicum

2

Total Credit Hours:15

The Office Professions Department has designated the following courses as meeting the "4 Cs Competencies" in the Office Assistant Certificate of Completion:  Communication: OFED 261 and OFED 142. Critical Thinking: OFED 130 and CAPP 105. Cultural Understanding: CAPP 140 and CAPP 170. Citizenship: OFED 142. Information Literacy is taught in CAPP 105.

Total Credit Hours: 45