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Office Professional (formerly Office Assistant) Program Code 311061

Technical Diploma

Offered at the Green Bay, Marinette and Sturgeon Bay campuses. For information in Green Bay: (920) 498-5444. For information in Marinette: (715) 735-9361. For information in Sturgeon Bay: (920) 746-4900. Toll-free: (888) 385-6982.

This program is fully eligible for financial aid.

Office Professional prepares students for office positions. Skills are developed in word processing, spreadsheet, presentation graphics, database, machine transcription, telephone messaging, records management, office procedures, and keyboarding. Credits earned in the program can be applied toward the Software Level 1 and/or Software Level 2 certificates and the Administrative Professional Associate Degree program.

Employment Potential

A graduate of this program will have the potential for employment in the following areas:

Office Professional: performs a variety of duties related to keyboarding, filing, transcribing, word processing, telephoning, making appointments, recordkeeping, setting up meetings, handling customer relations, entering data, and handling incoming and outgoing mail.

Records Coordinator: works in offices with a great volume of records in which indexing, cross-referencing, filing, retrieving, and charging-out records are important job functions.

Front Desk Coordinator: manages the company’s lobby area; greets and directs all visitors, including vendors, clients, job candidates and customers; ensures completion of paperwork, sign-in and security procedures; handles special administrative projects, as well as overflow work from department and executive assistants; depending on the size of the firm, also may answer incoming calls.

With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find other opportunities for employment.

. Administrative Assistant
. Executive Assistant
. Team Leader
. Office Manager

Program Outcomes

. Keyboard efficiently using correct techniques.
. Communicate business messages effectively.
. Produce effective business documents.
. Apply organizational skills to prioritize and manage workflow.
. Use appropriate technology to perform office tasks and manage information.
. Present researched information.
. Integrate appropriate software to produce business documents.
. Demonstrate professionalism in the business environment.

Requirements for Program Entry

. Completed application.
. High school transcript or equivalent. (For a list of equivalents, go to www.nwtc.edu/gettingstarted.)
. Basic math.
. A minimum keyboarding skill of 20 words per minute using the TOUCH method is recommended.
. As a requirement for program entry, an Academic Skills Assessment (Accuplacer) with appropriate benchmark scores is necessary. Admission Benchmarks are: Reading Comprehension: 55; Arithmetic: 34; Sentence Skills: 60. However, we recommend a student receive the following scores to be successful in this program. Reading Comprehension: 66; Arithmetic: 41; Sentence Skills: 76. Remediation options are available to reach recommended scores. Equivalent assessment scores are acceptable. To learn more about these assessments and program benchmark scores, please contact a Counselor (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.

Curriculum

The Office Professional Technical Diploma is a one-year, two-semester program. Upon graduation, a student will have completed 35 credits.

FIRST SEMESTER
10-103-111 Micro: Windows-Intro
1
10-103-121 Micro: Word-Intro
1
10-103-122 Micro: Word-Part 2
1
10-103-151 Micro: PowerPoint-Intro
1
10-106-103 Info Process Principles
3
10-106-107 Keyboard-Speed Building 1
1
10-106-112 Keyboard-Speed Building 2
1
10-106-131 Proofreading/Editing Essen 1
3
10-106-153 Professional Profile
3
10-804-123 Math w Business Apps
3
SEMESTER TOTAL
18
SECOND SEMESTER
10-103-131 Micro: Excel-Intro
1
10-103-141 Micro: Access-Intro
1
10-103-160 Micro: Outlook
1
10-106-126 Admin Business Procedures 1
2
10-106-132 Proofreading/Editing Essen 2
2
10-106-142 Software Projects
3
10-106-143 Business Experience-Applied
1
10-106-152 Records Management
2
10-106-172 Telephone/Messaging Skills
1
10-801-195 Written Communication
3
SEMESTER TOTAL
17
TOTAL CREDITS
35

Curriculum Note
Portfolio: Students are required to complete a program portfolio prior to graduation.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

These courses provide an opportunity for students to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding required for employment in this field.

10-103-111 MICRO: WINDOWS-INTRODUCTION ...Windows desktop elements, help features, document management (create, open, save, print), folder and file management (create, delete, move, find file), Web features, search strategies, shortcuts, screen capture, My Computer/Explorer.

10-103-121 MICRO: WORD-INTRODUCTION ...word processing basics including creating, revising, formatting, and printing; sections, tabs, multiple-page numbering; manipulating text; creating headers/footers; creating and formatting tables, graphics; creating charts; applying styles; and merging documents. Requires Windows experience.

10-103-122 MICRO: WORD-PART 2 ...advanced word processing features including working with headers/footers, inserting quick parts, themes, styles, sort and select; text flow; footnotes/endnotes, images, shapes, shared documents; specialized tables and indexes; forms; and sharing data. Requires strong introductory Word skills or Word-Intro.

10-103-131 MICRO: EXCEL-INTRODUCTION ...creating a worksheet, enhancing worksheet appearance, moving and copying data, using formulas and functions, creating charts and using clip art. Requires Windows experience.

10-103-141 MICRO: ACCESS-INTRODUCTION ...creating and modifying database tables, compacting a database, managing records, defining table relationships, creating queries, calculations, and aggregate functions, sorting, and using form and report wizards. Requires Windows experience.

10-103-151 MICRO: POWERPOINT-INTRODUCTION ...presentation development skills such as: graphics, tables, diagrams, shapes, design themes, sounds, animations, slide transitions, and integration with other software. Requires Windows and MS Word experience.

10-103-160 MICRO: OUTLOOK ...use email, distribution lists, signatures, attachments, and task lists; schedule appointments and meetings using the calendar; flag, filter, sort, and merge contacts, use message delivery options; archive messages and folders.

10-106-103 INFORMATION PROCESSING PRINCIPLES ...information processing cycle and workflow, terminology, hardware, software, networks, digital media, ergonomics, security, systems, Internet, and career opportunities.

10-106-107 KEYBOARD-SPEED BUILDING 1 ...skill development on the alphabetic keyboard using analytic/diagnostic software. Minimum alphabetic speed developed is 40 wpm in a 3-minute timing. Requires touch keyboarding at 30 wpm.

10-106-112 KEYBOARD-SPEED BUILDING 2 ...skill development on the alphabetic keyboard, top-row number keys, and ten-key pad using analytic/diagnostic software. Minimum alphabetic speed developed is 45 wpm in a 5-minute timing. Requires touch keyboarding at 40 wpm.

10-106-126 ADMINISTRATIVE BUSINESS PROCEDURES 1 ...today's global business environment including time management using software tools, flexible work arrangements, processing mail, meeting coordination, copiers and fax machines, and application of common business communication using appropriate formats. Requires Windows, intermediate Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook experience. (Prerequisite: 10-106-131, Proofreading/Editing Essentials 1; Corequisite: 10-106-142, Software Projects )

10-106-131 PROOFREADING/EDITING ESSENTIALS 1 ...develop skills for using, identifying, and correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, number usage and abbreviations for creating error-free business documents. Introduction and use of reference manuals/resources and portfolio guidelines. (Touch keyboarding and basic word processing skills are assumed.)

10-106-132 PROOFREADING/EDITING ESSENTIALS 2 ...apply advanced proofreading and editing skills in electronic and printed business documents using Proofamatics technique, transcription equipment, reference manuals, and resources. Multitasking and decision-making skills are enhanced through transcription and proofreading. (A passing grade in Proofreading/Editing Essentials 1 is a strong recommendation for success.)

10-106-142 SOFTWARE PROJECTS ...applying Windows and Word features to manage and format business documents while exercising decision-making, increasing efficiency, and enhancing keyboarding skills. Requires Windows, advanced Word background, and minimum 40 wpm keyboarding skill.

10-106-143 BUSINESS EXPERIENCE-APPLIED ...completing a portfolio, studying job search skills, and participating in a field experience. Course should be taken during the last semester.

10-106-152 RECORDS MANAGEMENT ...major systems of filing classification: alphabetic, numeric, geographic and subject; retention and disposition of records; records equipment and technology.

10-106-153 PROFESSIONAL PROFILE ...developing a professional image and attitude, including study of business ethics and etiquette; goal setting; anger, stress, and time management; understanding of diverse cultures; and development of platform skills.

10-106-172 TELEPHONE/MESSAGING SKILLS ...using the telephone effectively and efficiently in the world of work; telephone etiquette, messaging, and voice mail.

10-804-123 MATH W BUSINESS APPS ...real numbers; basic operations; proportions/one variable; percents, simple/compound interest; annuity; apply math concepts to purchasing/buying process, selling process; and basic statistics with business/consumer applications. (Prerequisite: Recommendation:Accuplacer Arithmetic = 65). 3 cr.

10-801-195 WRITTEN COMMUNICATION ...the nature and scope of academic and business writing. Develops writing skills which include pre-writing, drafting, revising, and editing. A variety of writing assignments are designed to help the learner analyze audience and purpose, research and organize ideas, and format and design documents based on subject matter and content. Also develops critical reading and thinking skills through the analysis of a variety of written documents. 3 cr.