Office Assistant
Office Assistant Certificate
Choose this program to train for a career as a receptionist or office assistant. Employers such as physician’s offices, law firms, temporary help agencies, and consulting firms are in need of skilled office staff. You could also work for manufacturing and industrial firms, telecommunications companies, and retail and wholesale organizations, plus many other businesses that need office clerical support.
Employment Information
Estimated Program Costs
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
The program typically starts in Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer Quarters.
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
These requirements are for the Certificate.
- ACCUPLACER Classic Reading (71) or higher OR ACCUPLACER NextGen Reading (247) or higher OR RDG 085 with a C or higher.
- ACCUPLACER Classic Sentence Skills (71) or higher OR ACCUPLACER NextGen Writing (245) or higher OR ENGL 092 with a C or higher.
- ACCUPLACER Classic Arithmetic (50) or higher OR ACCUPLACER NextGen Arithmetic (238) or higher OR MATH 90 with a C or higher.
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Total Program Credits: 57
Quarter 1
BUS 188 Business English 5 CR CAP 101 Introduction to Computer Applications 5 CR CAP 105 Computerized Touch Keyboarding 2 CR Required Courses for Program
Required Courses credits to TOTAL 53 Credits. BUS 100 Electronic Math Applications 3 CR BUS 123 Records Management 3 CR BUS 150 Math for Business 5 CR BUS 191 Technical Communications 5 CR BUS 188 Business English 5 CR CAP 101 Introduction to Computer Applications 5 CR CAP 105 Computerized Touch Keyboarding 2 CR CAP 106 Formatting with MSWord 4 CR CAP 107 Computerized Keyboard Skillbuilding I 3 CR CAP 114 MS Outlook 2 CR CAP 138 WORD 5 CR CAP 142 Excel 5 CR CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communications 5 CR Electives
Office Assistant students may choose elective credits from any 100 level of higher courses with the following prefixes: ACCT, BUS, CAP, CIS, ECON, HRM, LGL, IT, or MGMT. Field-Based Experience courses may not be used as electives. Courses taken to meet the general education or program core requirements may not be used for electives. 5 CR
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Face-to-Face
Self-SupportProgram Outcomes
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate competency in touch keyboarding at 40 wpm on a three minute timing with a three error limit.
- Graduates will be able to demonstrate 73 percent competency in word processing, written business communication, business math, effective oral communication skills, office skills and procedures, and MS Windows.
Employment Outlook
Employment opportunities for receptionists are expected to grow because so many receptionists work for firms in services industries – including physician’s offices, law firms, temporary help agencies, and consulting firms – that are expected to experience significant growth. Job openings should be plentiful due to the large size and high rate of turnover associated with this occupation.
The average annual wage in this field is $37,211, with an earning potential of about $46,426 per year.
Administrative assistants are needed in a variety of industries. Employment for administrative assistants is projected to grow 19 percent in Washington State and decline by 9 percent across the United States according to O*Net OnLine
Faculty & Support
Marcia Pedersen
Marcia Pedersen has a Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees from Central Washington University and has taught a variety of courses over 27 years including computers, finance, law, entrepreneurship, office procedures and English. She is certified in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access. Her professional networks are with the National Business Education Association, Washington Association of Career and Technical Education, and Washington State Business Education Association. In addition, she has worked as a receptionist, legal secretary, athletic program manager, clerical testing administrator, lifeguard, and juvenile detention officer. She enjoys traveling, scuba diving, reading, volunteering with search and rescue, and spending time with her family—two and four-legged!