Program Overview

The Administrative Assistant degree is a two-year professional program.  Students may participate in online or on-ground classes.  The program offers expert business technology instruction giving students the diversified training and background needed to hold positions of responsibility and importance in many areas of the business world.  The Administrative Assistant degree gives students a technical background through completion of computer application courses, provides students an understanding of professional responsibilities, and offers additional on-the-job training.  Students develop competencies in office procedures; software applications; business writing and presentations; accounting and business math; organizational and supervisory skills; office, time, and calendar management; desktop publishing and project management.  Students practice customer relations and the "soft" skills employers demand.  Students will also have a strong foundation in Microsoft Office and other commonly used business software applications.  Students will complete capstone courses which will integrate classroom learning into "real-world" office situations.

In order to earn an Administrative Assistant AAS degree, a student must maintain a 2.0 GPA in all individual courses.

Learning Outcomes

• Acquire comprehensive knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook software.
• Handle multiple deadlines and priorities in an office setting.
• Think critically and act logically to evaluate situations, solve problems, and make decisions.
• Compose drafts and final responses to inquiries, letters, and questionnaires.
• Handle a variety of internal and external business forms and understand their purpose.
• Compile and analyze data and prepare brief and concise reports and presentations utilizing information processing technology and software.
• Demonstrate organizational, planning, and project management skills.
• Exhibit management initiative, dependability, and flexibility; follow directions; and take pride in quality work.
• Appreciate the scope of business operations and economic systems.
• Take meeting minutes and transcribe them into proper form.
• Organize and plan office work and exercise leadership skills that make the employee a successful member of a dynamic team.
• Operate a variety of business machines including computers, copy machines and scanners, transcribing equipment, facsimiles, printers, telephones, and calculating machines.