Office Assistant, Introduction

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Office Assistant-Introduction Certificate Mapping

Certificate of Completion

Program #3P44472

The Office Assistant, Introduction certificate is designed, as the first level in a series of certificate options, to prepare students for entry-level office and administrative support in a variety of job positions, including general office clerks, retail salesperson, customer service representatives, receptionist, and information clerks. Students can be expected to learn the following: basic oral and written communications; basic computer application skills, including beginning Excel, Word, and Outlook; fundamentals of computer systems; and critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students completing this program will be eligible to take the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certifications in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook and the IC3 Digital Literacy certification after completing OTEC 301 Digital Literacy Preparation .

To earn a certificate, students complete the required and elective courses as listed with a grade of P (pass). For programs/courses that allow credit for prior learning, at least 75% of all coursework must be completed at North Orange Continuing Education. (Contact the CTE Office to learn more about which courses offer credit for prior learning). Office to learn more about which courses offer credit for prior learning).

Required Core Courses (114 Hours)
COMP 685Computer Keyboarding, Beginning36
BMGR 415Written Communication - Business18
OTEC 100Office Essentials24
OTEC 105Microsoft Outlook Fundamentals12
OTEC 110Business Math for Office Technology24
Required Option (Hours 72-96)
Must select Option 1 or Option 272-96
OPTION 1
OTEC 216
Windows and Word for Business36
OTEC 217
Excel for Business36
OPTION 2
OTEC 215
Computer Concepts and Applications IBEST96
Optional Electives Courses (27 Hours)
Must choose 0 of 1 0-27
OTEC 301
Digital Literacy Preparation27
Total Hours186-237

Plan of Study

Option 1 

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
COMP 68536BMGR 41518
OTEC 10024OTEC 11024
OTEC 10512OTEC 21736
OTEC 21636 
 108 78
Second Year
First SemesterHours 
WFPR 100, 101, or 10536 
 36 
Total Hours 222


Option 1 with Optional Elective

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
COMP 68536BMGR 41518
OTEC 10024OTEC 11024
OTEC 10512OTEC 21736
OTEC 21636 
 108 78
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
WFPR 100, 101, or 10536OTEC 30127
 36 27
Total Hours 249


Option 2 

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
COMP 68536BMGR 41518
OTEC 10024OTEC 21596
OTEC 10512 
OTEC 11024 
 96 114
Second Year
First SemesterHours 
WFPR 100, 101, or 10536 
 36 
Total Hours 246


Option 2 with Optional Elective

First Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
COMP 68536BMGR 41518
OTEC 10024OTEC 21596
OTEC 10512 
OTEC 11024 
 96 114
Second Year
First SemesterHoursSecond SemesterHours
WFPR 100, 101, or 10536OTEC 30127
 36 27
Total Hours 273

List of Courses

BMGR 415 Written Communication - Business 18 Hours

Provides extensive hands-on experience with all types of written business communications including letters, resumes, cover letters, memos, and reports.

COMP 685 Computer Keyboarding, Beginning 36 Hours

Keyboarding is a basic skill that is mandatory for most industries. Our keyboarding class teaches the alpha/numeric keyboard with emphasis on correct technique, speed, and accuracy. Topics include speed and accuracy, using home keys alpha keys, punctuation, and number keys. Textbook Required.

OTEC 100 Office Essentials 24 Hours

A course that prepares students for an entry-level position in an office. Includes units on the office environment, becoming a professional, work ethics, and several elements of customer service. Textbook Required.

OTEC 105 Microsoft Outlook Fundamentals 12 Hours

This course introduces students to Microsoft Outlook. Students will learn how to organize and manage emails, schedule appointments, create and manage task and contact records, and customize Outlook.

OTEC 110 Business Math for Office Technology 24 Hours

Provides coverage of personal and business-related mathematics as well as reviewing the basic operations of arithmetic.

OTEC 215 Computer Concepts and Applications IBEST 96 Hours

This course introduces fundamental workforce skills in computers and information processing, hardware, system software; networks, security, and privacy; troubleshooting and maintenance; application software; the Internet, digital ethics and awareness, cloud computing, Windows, Microsoft Word and Excel. It also prepares students for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and IC3 Digital Literacy certifications.

OTEC 216 Windows and Word for Business 36 Hours

Recommended Preparation: Basic keyboarding skills This course introduces students to fundamental workforce skills necessary to succeed in an office environment: Windows operating system and Microsoft Word. This is the first of three courses (OTEC 216, 217, 218) and prepares students for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification.

OTEC 217 Excel for Business 36 Hours

Advisory: Completion of OTEC 216 Windows and Word for Business

This is the second course in a series of three courses (OTEC 216, 217, 218) that serves as a foundation for working in the office environment and focuses on the entry level skills students need to succeed in the workforce. Part II introduces students to fundamental workforce skills in Microsoft Excel. The course series will also help prepare students for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) and IC3 Digital Literacy certifications.

OTEC 301 Digital Literacy Preparation 27 Hours

One of four courses that prepares learners for the IC3 Digital Literacy Certification exam. This course not only validates a learners' ability to do more than simply consume technology, it enables them to comprehend the possibilities and form the foundational set of skills necessary to support our modern digital economy. This course covers Level 1 certification: foundational understanding of computer hardware, software, operating systems, peripherals, and troubleshooting.