This program is designed to prepare students for employment as Administrative Office Specialists and it provides supplemental training for persons previously or currently employed. It offers a broad foundation of knowledge and skills expanding the traditional role of the Administrative Assistant. The content includes the use of technology to develop communications skills, higher level thinking skills, and decision-making skills; the performance of office procedures tasks; the production of quality work in an efficient manner using advanced features of business software applications; research of job opportunities; and the production of high-quality employment portfolios and job-seeking documents. It is available for secondary, dual enrolled, and postsecondary students.

This program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses the understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the office support services industry: planning; management; finance; technical and production skills; underlying principles of technology; labor issues; community issues; and health, safety and environmental issues.

This occupation has an average wage of $17.17 an hour, based on the Florida Occupational Employment and Wages for Polk County.

 

Laboratory Activities

Laboratory activities are an integral part of this program. The instructional processes, tools and materials used in this laboratory are similar to those used in industry.

The following table illustrates the postsecondary program structure:

 Course #  OCP Course Title  Hours 
OTA0040  A  Information Technology Assistant  150
OTA004   B  Front Desk Specialist  300
OTA0030  C  Assistant Digital Production Designer  150
OTA0043  D  Administrative Assistant  450
     TOTAL HOURS 1050

Occupational Completion Points (OCPs)

This program is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of four Occupational Completion Points. OCPs provide a student with early completion training options linked to employment opportunities established by the Florida Department of Education based on the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and accepted industry titles.

High School Credits

This program is separated into seven courses for high school students for seven elective credits.

Dual Enrollment Credit

At the completion of each postsecondary course, the dual enrolled student receives credit posted to his or her secondary school record. Every 75 hours of postsecondary course work equates to 0.5 elective credit.

Admission Requirements

This program is available for adult and high school students who are 16 years of age or older, interested in technical college education for employment purposes and/or continuing their education at a postsecondary education institution. Students
are accepted on a first- come, first- served basis following the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems (CASAS). assessment and an interview with a counselor at the college. Students must be able to attend school regularly and to participate satisfactorily in the activities of this program. Licensure/Certification: Students are eligible to test for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification.

Licensure/Certification

After successfully completing this program, students are eligible to test for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification and the Notary Public Exam to become a Notary. Certain requirements must be met.

Articulation Agreement

This program has a statewide articulation agreement with community colleges in which program completers could earn up to 15 credit hours toward an AAS/AS degree in Office Administration. Specific requirements and criteria must be met before credits are awarded.

Ridge Technical College

7700 State Road 544
Class Times

Monday-Friday
8:00AM - 2:00PM

Cost

FL Resident: $4,310
Non-Resident: $16,102

863-419-3060

Traviss Technical College

3225 Winter Lake Rd
Class Times

Monday-Friday
7:30AM - 1:30PM

Cost

FL Resident: $4,253
Non-Resident: $16,045

863-499-2700