Business and Office Technology Administrative Assistant Area of Study

Total Clock Hours 1260  

BT1200 Computer Operations and Software Applications

Clock Hours 637
Computer operations are a major part of Administrative Assistant area of study. Students learn to operate computers in a modern computer lab using a variety of software to become a productive user of computer hardware, software, networks, and the Internet. Training software includes Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook), Microsoft Windows and Internet Explorer. Students are taught by Microsoft Office Specialist Instructors using the curriculum designed for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification. The MOS credential demonstrates to an employer that Business and Office Technology students have the skills with Microsoft’s leading business desktop software.

Students may complete Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) testing and receive industry-recognized certifications while at AVTEC. These certification exams are separate from the regular curriculum. Students who have completed the Computer Operations and Software Applications segment of the training should be ready to complete certification testing.

BT1210 Keyboarding and Document Processing, Proofreading and Editing

Clock Hours 120
Students learn and demonstrate proper “touch typing” technique. They learn proofreading skills to identify errors, make corrections, and apply standard proofreading marks. Using a word processor, students create mailable personal-business letters, business letters, interoffice memorandums, envelopes and labels, and other documents. Students will also apply keyboarding skills to prepare business letters with special parts (including special notations and tables), envelopes and labels, meeting minutes, and multi-page business letters using mail merge. Throughout the training, students practice daily to develop acceptable speed and accuracy levels.

BT1220 Integrated Office Simulation

Clock Hours 240
Students integrate their administrative, written communication, and technological skills to complete a variety of work for a simulated company. A wide range of skills are used: the Internet to research and gather information; Microsoft Outlook for correspondence and the scheduling of tasks, meetings and events; and the integration of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook to create and edit a variety of documents.

BT1100 Office Procedures and Office Machines

Clock Hours 60
Students complete a wide variety of office procedures that include ways to contribute to office safety and productivity; selecting appropriate professional behavior in office situations; demonstrating effective telephone techniques; identifying banking services; demonstrating the ability to sort, log, and route incoming mail; preparing outgoing mail and applying appropriate services, classes, and rates; applying indexing and alphabetic, numerical, subject, and geographical filing rules and procedures; demonstrating the use, identification, and purchasing of office supplies; and schedule travel arrangements, prepare travel itineraries, and complete expense reports. Students operate common office machines including the photocopier, fax, calculator, and shredder. Throughout the training, students practice daily to develop acceptable 10-key speed and accuracy levels.

BT1230 Record Keeping

Clock Hours 60
The record keeping section of the training focuses on both personal records and forms and basic business records. Competencies include completing, verifying, filing and maintaining personal records and forms for banking, budgets, and credit; handling cash; and preparing business records for sales, travel, budgets, and business banking.

BT1110 Business English

Clock Hours 60
Students develop the writing skills required in business and office employment and include time management and study skills, proofreading techniques, correct word usage, sentence structure skills (use of commas and other punctuation marks, capitalization, numbers, and abbreviations), writing business letters and memos, and composing employment letters.

BT1120 Business Mathematics

Clock Hours 30
Students master the use of basic mathematics needed in business and office employment and in personal finance and include whole numbers, decimals, credit, interest, percentages, and mathematics of buying and selling.

BT1130 Workplace Communications Skills

Clock Hours 8
Employability skills and effective communication are among the most valuable skills an employee can bring to a career. Students will review communication styles, active listening skills, non-verbal communication, professional presentation, electronic communication, and conflict resolution. Students explore their own communication styles to recognize patterns and incorporate more effective communication strategies in the work place.

BT1140 Employment Services

Clock Hours 15
AVTEC’s employment services includes two separate classes and as many individual meetings with an advisor as a student wants. In the Job Search/Resume Class students learn how to identify potential employers, locate job openings, and review position descriptions. They are guided through the process of creating their own resume, demonstrated how to write a cover letter, and fill out an application. In the Interview Class students cover every aspect of an interview. They learn what to do before, during and after the interview. They practice answering questions through mock interviews, and receive feedback from the instructor.

BT1250 Work-Based Activity

Clock Hours 30
Students complete a work-based activity that consists of a minimum of one week of training in business, industry, or other agency. The work-based activity provides students with direct supervised work experience related to their training.