Program Description
If you’re looking for steady work in a profession with opportunities across many fields, office administration might be the path for you. At SPSCC, our program pairs you with experienced faculty to prepare you for employment or establish a strong foundation to transfer for a 4-year Bachelor’s degree. You’ll gain experience in Microsoft Office software, as well as related office programs and business practices.
The Office Administration Specialist Associate in Applied Science Degree is designed for persons interested in working in an office or administrative support position in the private or public sector.
The program equips the student with a variety of skills used in large or small businesses through the study of keyboarding, communications, human relations, office technology, small project management, leadership, and other related courses.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may work with state, county, or other municipal agencies as well as private industry. Typical duties may include formatting documents, composing business correspondence, and electronic filing/organization/planning – and go beyond the historical functions performed by a receptionist. With experience, graduates of the Office Technology & Administration program may advance to leadership positions within their organizations. Technical skills and the ability to adapt to new situations are important for career advancement.
- Administrative Assistant
- Secretary
- Office Clerk
Length of Program
The Office Technology and Administration – Office Administration Specialist Program takes a minimum of six quarters of full-time studies for the Associate in Applied Science degree.
South Puget Sound Community College believes that all students need to develop a broad range of abilities that will not only make them more effective in their professional pursuits but will enhance their capacity to relate well to others in their daily lives. At the end of this program students will:
At the completion of the Office Administration Program, the successful student will be able to:
- Assess the effectiveness of, select, and use existing and/or emerging technologies and tools to enhance productivity, including software, mobile computing devices, data and records management, cloud computing and virtual document sharing, communication technologies, and related resources
- Perform diverse administrative duties without direct supervision, including scheduling, project management for small to medium level projects, and organization of the office’s daily workflow
- Analyze problems and challenges and research potential solutions
- Monitor and model interpersonal competency skills necessary for a diverse workplace by analyzing and adjusting one’s own behavior, demonstrating appropriate and effective communication and conflict management strategies, and recognizing and addressing differences in communication and interaction for a culturally diverse and inclusive workplace with both internal and external stakeholders
- Demonstrate ability to proficiently communicate orally and in writing, including the design and proofreading of internal and external messages for a variety of audiences, contexts, and situations
- Use quantitative and computational skills to solve a variety of business applications including inventory management, purchasing, travel planning, and budget monitoring
- Recognize common ethical dilemmas that may arise in businesses and organizations and implement practical strategies to address ethical issues, both personal and organizational
The SPSCC college-wide abilities are embedded into each program:
- Analytical Reasoning
- Effective Communication
- Information Literacy
- Multicultural Awareness
- Social Responsibility
Courses by Quarter (Pathway Map)
Check with your advisor to determine where you will start. Advisors must approve changes to academic plan.
Pre-College Level
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| 1 - 7.5 |
| Applied Math I | |
| Applied Math II | |
| Contextualized Math I | |
| 1 - 10 |
| ESOL Level I (Beginning Literacy) | |
| ESOL Level II (Low Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level III (High Beginning) | |
| ESOL Level IV (Low Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level V (High Intermediate) | |
| ESOL Level VI (Advanced) | |
| ABE Language Arts III (Low Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts IV (High Intermediate Language Arts) | |
| ABE Language Arts V (Adult Secondary Level Language Arts) | |
| MATH 092 | Mathematical Reasoning | 5 |
| or ABE 065 | Contextualized Math II |
| ENGL 090 | Integrated Reading and Writing I | 5 |
| or ENGL 095 | Integrated Reading and Writing II |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
College Level
This degree is a total of 90 - 92 credits.
CCS 101 Pathways to Success is a required course for all students. Skip if already taken in Pre-College.
Advising Notes
***Required indicates that students must take one of the specific courses listed. Any substitution would require Advisor and Department approval.
***Recommended indicates that Pathway faculty recommend the courses listed, but other courses may fulfill the degree requirement. Students should consult with Advisor about additional course options.
Pathway Notes
Course List | Code | Title | Credits |
| CCS 101 | Pathways to Success | 3 |
| BUS 104 | Business Math | 5 |
| ENGL 098 | Transitional English Composition | 5 |
| or ENGL& 101 | English Composition I |
| OFTEC 111 | Keyboarding (Typing) I | 2 |
| 3-5 |
| Introduction to Computer Concepts & Applications F | |
| Introduction to Microsoft Office | |
| OFTEC 160 | Business English W | 5 |
| OFTEC 136 | Microsoft Word I F/W | 5 |
| 5 |
| Interpersonal Communication: Diversity | |
| Small Group Communication: Diversity | |
| Principles of Management: Diversity | |
| Multicultural America: Diversity | |
| Intercultural Communication: Diversity | |
| Psychology of Human Relations: Diversity | |
| OFTEC 165 | Office Procedures F/Sp | 5 |
| OFTEC 125 | Digital Productivity Tools W/Sp | 5 |
| OFTEC 255 | Records and Information Management Sp | 5 |
| OFTEC 170 | Practical Accounting F | 5 |
| OFTEC 260 | Business Communication | 5 |
| OFTEC 141 | Microsoft Excel | 5 |
| BUS& 101 | Introduction to Business | 5 |
| OFTEC 261 | Leadership in the Workplace W | 5 |
| OFTEC 236 | Microsoft Word II W | 5 |
| OFTEC 263 | Fundamentals of Project Management Sp | 5 |
| OFTEC 265 | Integrated Office Projects Capstone Sp | 5 |
| 2 |