Office Technology

The Office Technology two-year program prepares students for careers in a variety of office environments. A core curriculum is offered in office, accounting, and computer skills utilizing advanced office applications and software that are applicable to future employment. The Office Technology program offers two-year degree options in Medical Administrative Specialist and Administrative Office Management Specialist.

Certificates of Applied Science are offered in the areas of Computer Skills Specialist, Legal Support Specialist, and Medical Assisting (beginning on page 103 for details).

Computer Competency: Students must have a computer competency equal to CAPP131 Basic MS Office (basic Windows, Internet, Word, and Excel) to be determined through placement testing at enrollment. Students who do not meet these requirements will be required to take CAPP131 Basic MS Office at the beginning of their program, and the credits may be used to meet the elective requirements in later semesters.

Gainful Employment

Office Technology
Associate of Applied Science
Administrative Office Management

Career Outlook: According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth, however, will differ by occupational specialty.

Employment of executive secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to grow 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations, as these workers continue to provide high-level support for executives.

Employment of medical secretaries is projected to grow 41 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by rapid growth of the healthcare and social assistance industries. An anticipated increase in the use of medical services by an aging population will require many additional medical secretaries. Employment of legal secretaries is expected to grow 4 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. This slow employment growth is due primarily to the slower-than-average growth of the legal industry overall.

Employment of secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive, is expected to grow 6 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average for all occupations. Although developments in office technology are certain to continue, many secretarial and administrative duties are of a personal, interactive nature and are not easily automated. Responsibilities such as planning meetings, working with clients, and instructing staff require tact and communication skills. Because technology cannot currently substitute for these interpersonal skills, secretaries and administrative assistants will continue to play a key role in most organizations.

Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to grow 12 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment growth, however, will differ by occupational specialty.

In addition to jobs coming from employment growth, numerous job openings will arise from the need to replace secretaries and administrative assistants who transfer to other occupations or retire. Job opportunities should be best for applicants with extensive knowledge of computer software applications. Applicants with a bachelor's degree are expected to be in great demand and will act as managerial assistants who perform more complex tasks.

For the most current salary information please refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Occupational Outlook Handbook found at www.bls.gov/ooh/.

Program Cost:
Approximately $8,600

Administrative Office Management Specialist

The Administrative Office Management Specialist option is designed to prepare students for both administrative management support and information management careers in order to effectively confront the new diverse and multifaceted challenges prevalent in today’s business environment. This option covers current office management principles, concepts, and organizational trends, while focusing on technological changes in the workplace and information systems management at all levels.

Examples of elective credits are courses such as Business Law II, Accounting, Organizational Psychology, Management, Economics, Ten-Key Calculation, Employment Law, and others depending on the student’s skills, course prerequisites, and course availability.

Medical Administrative Specialist

This program prepares the student for employment in hospitals, medical offices, insurance companies, nursing homes, and public health agencies, often leading to careers in office management. The position of an administrative medical assistant requires skills in medical knowledge, computer technology, oral and written communications, and an awareness of effective office procedures. Positive interpersonal relations and teamwork are integrated into classroom activities.

Computer Competency: Students must have a computer competency equal to CAPP131 Basic MS Office (basic Windows, Internet, Word, and Excel), to be determined through placement testing at enrollment. Students who do not meet these requirements will be required to take CAPP131 Basic MS Office at the beginning of their program, and the credits may be used to meet the elective requirements in later semesters.

Gainful Employment

Medical Administrative Specialist

Career Outlook: According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics employment of medical records and health information technicians is expected to increase by 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for health services is expected to increase as the population ages. An aging population will need more medical tests, treatments, and procedures. This will also mean more claims for reimbursement from private and public insurance. Additional records, coupled with widespread use of electronic health records by all types of healthcare providers, should lead to an increased need for technicians to organize and manage the associated information in all areas of the healthcare industry.

Cancer registrars are expected to continue to be in high demand. As the population ages, there will likely be more types of special purpose registries because many more types of illnesses are detected and treated later in life.

Prospects will be best for those with a certification in health information. As EHR systems continue to become more common, technicians with computer skills will be needed to use them.

For the most current salary information please refer to the Bureau of Labor Statistics “Occupational Outlook Handbook found at www.bls.gov/ooh/.

Program Cost:
Approximately $8,900

Medical Administrative Specialist

Examples of elective credits are courses such as Nutrition, Computerized Accounting, Contemporary Economics, Legal Terminology, and others depending on the student’s skills, course prerequisites, and course availability.

Computer Skills Specialist

The Computer Skills Specialist option is designed to prepare students for computer support positions in order to effectively confront the new diverse and multifaceted challenges prevalent in today’s business environment. This option covers current software, customer service, and business communication concepts, while focusing on technological changes in the workplace and information systems at all levels.

Computer Competency: Students must have a computer competency equal to CAPP131 Basic MS Office (basic Windows, Internet, Word, and Excel) to be determined through placement testing at enrollment. Students who do not meet these requirements must take CAPP131 at the beginning of their program, and the credits may be used to meet the elective requirements in later semesters.

For Gainful Employment Information click here.

Certificate Name: Computer Skills Specialist

Job Title & Subsequent Codes: 43-6011
Executive Secretaries, Executive Administrative Assistants

PROGRAM STATISTICS

• Number of students completing this certificate program in most recent fiscal year: <10
• Number of certificates completed within normal time: N/A
• On-time completion rate: N/A
• Job Placement Rate: N/A
• Median loan debt for most recent program completers: N/A

Legal Support Specialist

The need for qualified legal office personnel in private law firms, state government, insurance companies, and many other offices continues to increase. The Legal Support Specialist Certificate option provides training to ensure employability within a one-year period of time in the areas of writing, math, computer applications, human relations, and legal concepts.

Computer Competency: Students must have a computer competency equal to CAPP131, Basic MS Office (basic Windows, Internet, Word, and Excel) to be determined through placement testing at enrollment. Students who do not meet these requirements must take CAPP131 at the beginning of their program.

 For Gainful Employment Information click here.

Certificate Name: Legal Support Specialist

Job Title & Subsequent Codes: 43-6012
Legal Secretaries

Medical Assisting

This one-year Certificate of Applied Science is available for Office Technology students or for students who have completed their first semester of prerequisites of the Nursing program. The first semester includes courses completed in either Office Technology or Nursing programs. The second semester includes Office Technology courses with a medical or office emphasis.

For Gainful Employment Information click here.

Certificate Name: Medical Assisting

Job Title & Subsequent Codes: 31-9092
Medical Assistants

PROGRAM STATISTICS

• Number of students completing this certificate program in most recent fiscal year: <10
• Number of certificates completed within normal time: N/A
• On-time completion rate: N/A
• Job Placement Rate: N/A
• Median loan debt for most recent program completers: N/A