Office Technologies - Administrative Assistant A.A.S.

Career Opportunities  |  Transfer Opportunities  | Degree Requirements | For More Information
Apply for Admission  | General Education Requirements | Articulation Agreements

The Program (HEGIS Code 5005)

This program provides the student in-depth administrative office preparation to meet the demands of today’s business environment for a variety of upper-level office positions. Administrative assistants are seen as part of the management team and have administrative functions including planning, organizing, and directing. Administrative support supervisors usually interview and evaluate prospective clerical employees, help train new employees in organization and office procedures, and often act as liaisons between the clerical staff and the professional, technical, and managerial staff. Course topics will include general office responsibilities, composing correspondence, preparing itineraries, recording meeting minutes, collecting data and performing research, generating reports, maintaining budgets, applying accounting principles, and supervising office employees. Through this Office Technologies program, students can obtain marketable skills applicable to various careers and industries, as well as cognitive skills transferable to other colleges, employment situations, and life experience.

In addition to acquiring a high degree of proficiency in basic office/administrative, computer, communication skills, the student is required to complete at least twenty-one credit hours of liberal arts courses, and will have an opportunity to complete an internship. For some graduates, the Office Technologies program has been a stepping stone to managerial positions; for others, it has provided the necessary course work to permit transfer to a four-year business education/office systems program.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Office Technologies - Administrative Assistant, A.A.S program will meet the following learning outcomes:

• Develop the computer skills, including keyboarding and document processing, needed for successful employment in the contemporary business office.
• Demonstrate ability to organize, analyze, manage, and disseminate information.
• Demonstrate communication, interpersonal, and organization skills, emphasizing managerial and leadership ability as well as team work.

Computer Requirements

Students entering this program are required to purchase or lease a professional microcomputer system for home use. Computers are an integral part of all course instruction within the Office Technologies Administrative Assistant program. Computer specifications are available at www.sunyjefferson.edu or upon request.

Career Opportunities

The Administrative Assistant A.A.S. degree offers employment opportunities in a wide range of business environments, including not-for-profit and governmental organizations. Assistance is provided to executives by coordinating and directing office services, such as staff assignments, records management, budget control, and special management studies. Careers include administrative assistant, office manager, executive secretary, and other administrative professional positions. A growing number of administrative assistants share in managerial and human resource responsibilities and handle computer applications for presentations, spreadsheets, and database management.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in the administrative, office, and clerical support category is one of the largest occupational areas. Most organizations employ administrative support personnel to handle administrative responsibilities. Employment opportunities are best for individuals with extensive software application knowledge. Graduates find successful employment in government, educational, legal, executive, and financial fields.

Transfer Opportunities

As a graduate of Jefferson, you will have many transfer opportunities to consider and will be able to choose from a wide variety of colleges and universities to pursue your baccalaureate degree. Jefferson has partnered with some selected academic institutions to develop agreements that assist students with selecting courses in their academic program that will transfer effectively to specific baccalaureate programs. Currently a formal agreement exists with Franklin University, Applied Management, B.S. program.

* In order to meet the requirements for OFC 122, Intermediate Keyboarding, students must have completed OFC 121, Beginning Keyboarding, or pass a proficiency exam. The proficiency exam will be scheduled by the Business Division prior to the beginning of classes each semester. Students will be required to pass a timed writing and complete a variety of word processing documents. For more information, call the Business Division at 315-786-2287. ** May substitute appropriate mathematics course.

Note: Students planning to transfer to a SUNY school are encouraged to meet with their advisor to review appropriate selection of General Education courses. Transfer students should select one Natural Sciences elective, one Mathematics elective, and one Social Science elective from the approved General Education course listing. In addition, students should use the two Liberal Arts electives to select courses from two different categories under the remaining General Education requirements: American History, Western Civilization, Other World Civilizations, the Arts, and/or Foreign Language.

For More Information

Stephanie Pierce, Instructor of Office Technologies
spierce@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-6588

Application and Admissions Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@sunyjefferson.edu
315-786-2277 or Toll Free 1-888-435-6522