2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog 
    
    Dec 02, 2024  
2022-2023 Pierce College Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Administrative Office Assistant Certificate Course Map


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Created by Pierce faculty, this map outlines the initial coursework for this career field. It provides you a clear path to complete your certificate by listing a specific set of courses relevant to your program and career. The map is designed with the appropriate number of credits and meets certificate requirements. Courses are organized in a recommended sequence; please schedule accordingly. If a course is unavailable, select the next appropriate course within the sequence. For each course, a purpose statement explains how the content relates to your career field. On this map, there may be instances when you will be required to select a course from several options. Use these purpose statements and notes to choose the course that best aligns with your interests and needs. You will also find action items to complete to assure you progress and graduate on time. While this map is a great guide to courses required to complete the Administrative Office Assistant Certificate, you are responsible for fulfilling all certificate requirements. Questions? Your Success Network is ready to help you!

 

Action Item: Meet with advisor to create educational plan 

Meet with your advisor to choose the courses that meet your workplace goals.

CIP Code: 52.0408


ctcLink Plan Code: OOCOAC45


Total Credits: 64


Introduction to Keyboarding


(Only needed if no previous keyboarding experience.)

1. Business English I


  • Course purpose: This course will help you build the skills needed to prepare grammatically correct business documents. You will develop skill in editing documents for grammatical correctness. Job applicants must be able to write coherent messages with correct grammar for internal and external communication.

2. Computer Application Lab


A total of 10 Computer Application Lab credits will be required in order to meet the requirements of this certificate. These courses can be taken throughout the certificate. Meet with advisor for placement of these courses in educational plan.

3. College Success


  • Course purpose:  A foundational course to explore and affirm a career choice and build upon the skills, knowledge, and resources that will support you at Pierce College and beyond.

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  • Note: The College Success course you select will depend on the Career Pathway Map you are following. Your advisor will assist you in selecting either the 3- or 5- credit version of the course. Should you choose to repeat a College Success course you must enroll in a College Success course with the same credit amount as the original course; a COLLG 110 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 110 course and a COLLG 115 course grade can only be replaced with a grade from another COLLG 115 course.

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Use your Success Network! In your first quarter, meet with your advisor to revisit your career and transfer path, make adjustments to your goals as needed, and plan for your next steps.

4. Keyboard Development & Document Formatting


Take two credits one quarter followed by the remaining two credits the following quarter. All four courses are required to complete the certificate.  

5. Ten-Key Mastery


  • Course purpose: Proficient in 10-key by touch so you have skills for data entry. Employees are often required to enter data in spreadsheets or in other software. Speed and accuracy of this skill are highly desired by employers.

6. Business English II


  • Course purpose: Further study and practice with the writing process to create effective business memoranda, letters, and short reports. You will continue to build a strong business vocabulary and fluency with punctuation and rules. Job applicants must be able to write coherent messages with correct grammar for internal and external communication.

7. Business Math


  • Course purpose: You will practice skills in banking such as keeping a checkbook and balancing it. Solving for equations for the unknown. Practicing percent and fractions. Understanding discounts, markups, and markdowns. Insight into perishables, simple interest promissory notes, discount notes, and the discount process, compound interest and present value. Installment buying and revolving credit, basic statistics, metric supplement depreciation, inventory, and overhead. Industry often requires basic bookkeeping and collection of funds from invoices and calculation of purchase orders. Math knowledge is necessary to write correct formulas in often used Excel spreadsheets for budgeting and other financial purposes.

8. Office Procedures


  • Course purpose: This course prepares you with hard and soft skills necessary for success in an office. In addition, you will synthesize and apply content previously acquired while role playing scenarios that will occur during an average office workday.

9. Records Management


  • Course purpose: Teaches you the lifecycle and management of paper and electronic records in an office setting. You need to learn to manage records to keep an office organized and for individuals to retrieve records quickly and maintain integrity of data.

10. Accounting Course Options


Choose one

  • Course purpose: Industry often requires basic bookkeeping and collection of funds from accounts receivable and calculation of accounts payable. Accounting knowledge is necessary in order to prepare balance sheets, income statements, and other financial documents. 

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  • Or

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  • Course purpose: First accounting course required for students transferring to a four-year school to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Covers basic accounting concepts and procedures with a focus on financial statement preparation. 

Action Item: Meet with Advisor


Meet with internship course instructor to prepare for BTECA 246.

Action Item: Apply for Graduation


Way to go! It is time to apply for graduation. Visit the Pierce College Graduation website for details.

11. Microsoft Outlook


12. Intercultural Communications


13. Business Communications


  • Course purpose: This course prepares you with advanced writing skills necessary for success in an office. In addition, you will synthesize and apply content previously acquired while learning how to write messages that build goodwill and positive relationships with clients and co-workers and writing for a specific purpose and audience.

14. Cooperative Work Experience


  • Course purpose: You will gain practice in a workplace setting, while networking, establishing work experience for their resume, and hopefully ultimately gaining a job, which is what most students in the professional technical field want. 

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  • Or

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  • Course purpose: This course is an option for students in lieu of the Cooperative Work-based Learning Experience (BTECA 246). This course is designed to prepare students for a job in their specific field of study whether it be a medical office or a general office. Students will implement a variety of the skills they have learned throughout their degree such as job searching skills, teamwork, communication skills, goal setting, time management, and leadership.

Total Credits: 64


CIP Code: 52.0408


ctcLink Plan Code: OOCOAC45


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