Associate of Applied Science Degree
Administrative Assistant Major
Administrative Assistant Legal Cognate
Administrative Assistant Medical Cognate
Office Skills Certificate
Office Specialist Certificate
Bookkeeping Certificate

The Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor, has forecast that there will be a shortage of office workers well into the new millennium. This handbook indicates that office workers will need technical skills as well as management skills in order to be successful. The Business Programs/Business Office Applications Department offers an Associate Degree in Business Office Applications with an Administrative Assistant major that will enable students to have not only keyboarding skills and software knowledge but also management and team-building skills. Students also receive instruction in personalized and interpersonal skills so that they may become an integral part of any management team. These skills will enable an employee to assume responsibility without direct supervision, display initiative, exercise judgment, and prepare written/oral presentations.

The Legal Cognate prepares students to work in law offices, various courts, or the legal departments of corporations by providing specialized knowledge of legal procedures and court structure. The Medical Cognate prepares students to work in medical settings such as hospitals, physician offices, clinics, dental offices, and insurance companies.

Three certificates are also available. The Office Skills Certificate program prepares students for entry-level office positions. Students develop skills and knowledge in keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, database basics, presentation graphics, information management, and basic bookkeeping.

The second certificate available is the Office Specialist Certificate. Columbus State’s program prepares students for the globally recognized Microsoft® Business Applications Specialist certification. In today’s workplace, more employers are requiring that office workers be knowledgeable in all areas of Microsoft Office software applications. Students develop skills in word processing, electronic spreadsheets, presentation graphics, database management, and desktop management. These skills prepare students to work faster and be more productive while using the most up-to-date technologies. This certificate is available as a distance learning (DL) option.

The Bookkeeping Certificate prepares students for a career in office bookkeeping processes. This bookkeeping certificate will include preparatory courses enabling students to sit for a nationally recognized Bookkeeping certification exam. This certificate program may be completed in three quarters and provides a solid foundation of accounting and bookkeeping principles, computerized accounting software packages, and electronic spreadsheets. This certificate is also available as a distance learning (DL) option.

Columbus State Community College’s business degree programs are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Upon completion of the Associate Degree in Business Office Applications, the graduate will be able to:
• Maintain a filing system (alphabetic, numeric, geographic, and/or by subject).
• Write or draft responses to routine correspondence, use correct grammar, and employ punctuation rules accurately.
• Perform basic bookkeeping tasks.
• Prepare written and oral presentations using currently accepted presentation graphics software.
• Demonstrate knowledge of management theory, functions, and skills.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of current legal, ethical, social, financial, and economic environmental factors as they apply to business.
• Use appropriate business technology and other resources to research, analyze, and integrate data to solve business problems.
• Work effectively as a member of a team.

Administrative Assistant Major

In addition to the general Business Office Applications competencies, a graduate in the Administrative Assistant major will be able to:
• Use operating systems and desktop features and functions to organize and manage files and documents effectively to increase productivity.
• Prepare presentation graphics and present information.
• Research information using a variety of resources including the Internet.
• Use computers to integrate graphics and other applications into documents.
• Transcribe a variety of documents accurately and at an acceptable production rate.

Administrative Assistant Legal Cognate

In addition to the general competencies, a graduate choosing the Legal Cognate will be able to:
• Demonstrate a basic knowledge of court structure and court proceedings at the federal, state, and local levels.
• Demonstrate an ability to use law office and management procedures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the rules and documents involved in litigation practice and procedures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of criminal law or the basics of legal research, depending on which additional class the student chooses.

Administrative Assistant Medical Cognate
In addition to the general competencies, a graduate choosing the Medical Cognate will be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and organization of current health care systems.
• Demonstrate the ability to spell, pronounce, and define basic medical terminology.