Administrative Office Professional, AAS

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Today’s business offices have a need for highly-skilled employees who possess the know-how and confidence necessary to handle a wide variety of office tasks. The Administrative Office Professional degree provides a strong foundation in office skills, including technological aspects, and combines coursework and hands-on computer experience. The curriculum includes comprehensive work skills preparation necessary for the administrative assistant to work in business, professional offices and other employing agencies.

Students will be prepared to demonstrate good communication skills, problem-solving skills, effective human relations skills, and skilled use of computer applications and office procedures.

To successfully complete this program, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average. A grade of “C” or better is required in the first course of a sequential course offering before enrolling in the second-level course of the sequence or in a prerequisite course. This includes ADM 154 , ADM 157 , ADM 162 , BCA 131 , BCA 213 and BCA 212 .

For more information about the Administrative Office Professional program, please visit our website at https://www.dmacc.edu/programs/btec/.

Locations: Ankeny, Boone, Carroll, Urban

Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students start any semester.

Not all courses are offered at each campus every semester. Academic advisors are available to assist with scheduling. It is strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor each term.

Program Entry Requirements

Complete an application for admission.
Satisfy the assessment requirement.
Attend any required information registration session.
Using the DMACC testing center, demonstrate a minimum keyboarding speed of 35 nwpm (net words per minute) on a 5-minute timed writing.

Graduation Requirements

To earn an Administrative Office Professional AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Required Courses

Semester 1

ADM 101 - Office Essentials Credits: 1
ADM 131 - Office Calculators Credits: 1
ADM 157 - Business English Credits: 3
BCA 131 - Word Processing Skill Dev. I Credits: 3
BCA 212 - Intro Computer Business Appl Credits: 3
BUS 112 - Business Math Credits: 3
MGT 145 - Human Relations in Business Credits: 3

Note:

(Students must demonstrate a keyboarding speed of 25 NWPM or above, by taking a five-minute test, before enrolling in BCA 131 .)

Semester 2

Required Course(s)

ADM 154 - Business Communication Credits: 3
ADM 162 - Office Procedures Credits: 3
ADM 259 - Professional Development Credits: 3
BCA 137 - Word Processing Skill Dev. II Credits: 3
BCA 213 - Intermed Computer Business App Credits: 3
Select from Option 1 Credits: 3

Option 1 - Select 1 Course

SPC 101 - Fund of Oral Communication Credits: 3
SPC 126 - Interpersonal & Small Group Comm Credits: 3

Semester 3

Required Course(s)

ADM 221 - Career Development Skills Credits: 2
MGT 115 - Administrative Management Credits: 3
Select from Option 2 Credits: 3-4
Select from Option 3 Credits: 6

Option 2 - Select 1 Course

ACC 131 - Principles of Accounting I Credits: 4
ACC 111 - Intro to Accounting Credits: 3

Option 3 - Select 2 Courses

BUS 102 - Introduction to Business Credits: 3
FIN 121 - Personal Finance Credits: 3
BUS 148 - Small Business Management Credits: 3
BUS 185 - Business Law I Credits: 3
ADM 182 - Critical Office Strategies Credits: 3
MGT 248 - Systems & Information Mgmt. Credits: 3
MKT 110 - Principles of Marketing Credits: 3

Semester 4

Required Course(s)

ADM 164 - Administrative Office Appl Credits: 3
ADM 182 - Critical Office Strategies Credits: 3
ADM 265 - Supervised Practical Exp. Credits: 2 *
ADM 937 - Prof Office Careers Seminar Credits: 1 *
BCA 250 - Desktop Publishing Credits: 3
Select from Option 4 Credits: 3

Option 4 - Select 3 Credits

Any ACC course (except adjunct)
Any BUS course (except adjunct)
Any BCA, CSC, CIS or NET course (except adjunct)
Any ECN course (except adjunct)
Any FIN course (except adjunct)
Any MGT course (except adjunct)
Any MKT course (except adjunct)
Any ADM, MTR, MAP course (except adjunct)

Note:

*Meet with the internship supervisor the semester before enrolling.

Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 64

Fixed Costs

Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$143.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs

	Semester	Semester 2	Semester 3	Semester 4
Books (approximate)	975	950	450	400
Supplies	15	15	15	15

Approximate total for program: $11,987*

*Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?

Coordinate schedules, schedule appointments, prepare materials for meetings.
Use/manage/update social media used within the organization.
Give information to callers, direct visitors to destinations.
May handle supervision of support services.
Maybe be involved in project management
Complete filing tasks, paper and electronic.
Prepare correspondence, minutes of meetings, and reports.
Perform mathematical and basic bookkeeping tasks.
Input and process information using computer software including spreadsheets, databases, presentation graphics and desktop publishing.
Use the internet to conduct research and to monitor/maintain company-related social networking sites.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?

Use e-mail for communications, scheduling meetings and maintaining contact information.
Assist in planning, organizing and controlling information-related activities.
Act as liaison when the employer or supervisor is unavailable.
Assist and take direction from multiple managers and team leaders.
Plan and coordinate business meetings and travel arrangements.
Prepare reports.
Use professional telephone techniques.
Use interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Fulfill responsibilities as a member of one or more teams.

Aptitudes

Good judgment and common sense
Demonstrate initiative to anticipate needs of others
Dependable and responsible
Good business work ethics
Team player
Willingness to assist others to facilitate their jobs
Adaptable

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?

Variety of job possibilities.
Advancement opportunities available.
All students may participate in professional organizations.
It may take more than four semesters to complete this degree.
Students may pursue the Certified Professional Secretary exam and the Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam.
Average starting salary $25,653 (2011-2012 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Policy

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in or allow discrimination covered by law. This includes harassment based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy and marital status), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and genetic information. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. For information about the ADA, the Section 504/ADA Coordinator can be contacted at 515-964-6857. For Title IX questions and concerns contact 515-964-6850.