Administrative Professional
Degrees & Certificates in this major: Associate of Applied Science Degree
Department Website: Business Technology
Program Contact:
Mary Ann Lammers
Additional Faculty:
Twila Lehman, Nancy Noe, Sally Stouder
Administrative professionals work in all types of organizations and firms, performing a variety of clerical and administrative duties. They spend some of their day answering the phone and giving information to callers. They schedule appointments, make travel arrangements, place orders, organize files, compose letters, produce documents, and compile lists or other data from various sources. In addition, they may conduct research on the Internet and write reports of their findings or manage projects using database management software.
Administrative professionals use a variety of office equipment to do their work. They use fax machines, copiers, and complex phone systems. They may use complex computer software to run spreadsheets or do desktop publishing. Because of these tools, managers and executives often perform much of their own word processing. Administrative professionals in these offices are freed to support several members of the professional staff, often working as part of a team.
The Administrative Professional program offers new class formats and new teaching methodologies designed to attain proficiencies and outcomes formulated from local, as well as national, standards. The program emphasizes working in a high-performance environment, incorporating the new workplace standards of teamwork and collaborative projects. Students develop software, computer, and general office-related skills, with additional emphasis on accounting and law. They are part of a learning community that provides the opportunity to network, collaborate with other classmates in completing assigned projects, and develop high standards of quality and participation. The advanced skills and certification opportunities offered by this program will put the student a step above other applicants upon graduation.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Professional will:
- Function effectively as a team member and/or leader, including virtual partners.
- Interact effectively in oral and written communications.
- Use computers and other technology proficiently for administrative tasks.
- Demonstrate positive interpersonal interactions and diplomacy.
- Manage multi-tasks efficiently.
- Model professional and ethical behaviors.
- Participate in ongoing professional development.
- Solve problems using a variety of appropriate tools.
- Demonstrate proficiency in content areas.
Program Requirements
Students in the Administrative Professional program develop new skills for new roles and responsibilities needed in today’s fast-paced business settings. As a part of the program, students work for 240 hours in a variety of offices. Upon completion, the students are eligible to sit for the Certified Administrative Professional or Certified Professional Secretary examinations sponsored by the International Association of Administrative Professionals. If they pass the written exam, they will become credentialed as Certified Administrative Professionals or Certified Professional Secretaries after working full time for one year.
The Administrative Professional program is designed to be completed in two years. This assumes, however, that the entering student knows how to type by touch and has been placed at or above the following levels on the Computerized Placement Test: WR 121 English Composition and MTH 065 Elementary Algebra. It is advisable to take the test as early as possible. If developmental coursework is required, we recommend that it be taken the summer term prior to enrolling in the regular degree program. Pre-training might include some or all of the following courses: OA 121 Keyboarding (2 credits), RD 090 Strategies for Effective Reading (3 credits), WR 090 The Write Course (required if writing score is less than 40th percentile) (4 credits), MTH 060 Introduction to Algebra (4 credits), WR 115 Introduction to College Writing (3 credits).
Facilities
Skills classes are taught in self-paced office laboratory classrooms. New technology is introduced both through concept courses and hands-on experience with modern equipment.
