Program Tips

Advising Tips

Office Assistant

Technical Diploma  |  31-106-1

www.cvtc.edu  |  1-800-547-2882

 

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

To be successful in this program, students must possess basic computer skills before entry, including basic computer operations and basic keyboarding skills.

Students must also have regular access to a PC (not a Chromebook) or Mac computer with Windows functionality, audio and visual capabilities, and with internet connection. We strongly recommend a PC for the best results in the program. If your technology does not have audio and visual capabilities, a webcam and headset can be purchased from anywhere they choose. The following items meet the recommendations: Logitech USB Headset Mono 650 and the Logitech Webcam C310 HD. 

Windows/PC

Mac

Operating System:
Windows 10 64-bit (preferred)
Windows 8.1 (32 or 64-bit)

RAM: 8GB
Hard Drive: 256GB SSD
Processor: 2.4+ GHz

Operating System:
Mojave v10.14 or later (preferred)
High Sierra v10.13 or later

RAM: 8GB
Hard Drive: 256GB SSD
Processor: Intel Core Duo 2 GHz or faster

Course Sequencing

Not all Office Assistant courses are offered each semester. Plan ahead and register for a course when it is available.

  • Professional Internship 1 – Students in the Executive Assistant program will have opportunities to participate in on-site business work experiences. In the second semester of the program, students perform office assistant-related activities at a job site for 64 hours in Business Support Professional Internship 1. The internship instructor provides possible internship site locations. However, students are encouraged to network and develop a list of prospective sites on their own. There is a possibility that a student may be able to use a current job as an internship site, depending on the responsibilities they are assigned, the tasks they perform, and the flexibility of their employer. Students must receive prior approval from the internship instructor before using a current job as an internship site. This course requires instructor approval.

Prerequisite courses must be completed before students will receive approval to register for the internship (refer to the program requirement sheet). If a student has not completed the required prerequisite courses, he/she will not receive instructor approval to register for the internship opportunity. Any questions regarding internship registration should be directed to the Executive Assistant Program Director.

  • Embedded Technical Diplomas – If you are interested in taking classes but aren't prepared to enroll for a two-year associate degree program, consider working toward one of the embedded technical diplomas offered through the Business Technology Department. These embedded technical diplomas tell an employer you have a certain set of skills. See an academic advisor for complete information about working toward one of the following:
    • Office Receptionist – 14 or 15 credits The Receptionist one-semester technical diploma program prepares students with basic receptionist skills necessary in today's business office. Those working in this career may be expected to answer the telephone, greet customers, work with basic office equipment, and assist with various administrative support tasks. Students will learn how to interact with customers, perform various office procedures, and utilize computer skills. After successful completion of the Receptionist technical diploma program, the student has the opportunity to apply these credits to the Office Assistant one-year technical diploma program.
    • Office Assistant – 29 or 30 credits - The Office Assistant one-year technical diploma program prepares students to perform a variety of administrative tasks in today's rapidly changing office. Students will learn to integrate computer, human relation, and communication skills. In addition, students will learn how to format and produce business documents, work with a variety of business software applications, and perform various office procedures. Potential careers are available in diverse settings such as education, government, insurance/investment, industrial/manufacturing, legal, medical, and service organizations. After successful completion of the Office Assistant technical diploma program, the student has the opportunity to apply these credits to the Executive Assistant associate degree two-year program and enter the second year of the Executive Assistant program.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit towards an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experience, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wished to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Credit Load Options

Students have flexibility regarding how many credits they enroll in each semester of this program. The completion of the program may be affected if a student takes less credits than what is listed each semester.

Delivery Method

Office Assistant program courses are offered online. Students should have a dependable computer with reliable Internet access. Check with an academic advisor or program instructor for more information. Many times the general education courses (800-level) are available online or in person. Check the course offerings listing at cvtc.edu using "Search Course Offerings" for course availability or discuss options with your advisor.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student’s program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Required 100-Level Courses

Alternate 200-Level Courses

809-199 Psychology of Human Relations or
809-198 Introduction to Psychology

809-251 General Psychology

Last Updated: March 5, 2024 @ 8:37 a.m.

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Printed: 11/21/2024 9:55 a.m.

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