Office Software Specialist Certificate

Program Information

The Anoka Technical College Office Software Specialist Certificate is a 22-credit program that prepares the graduate with strong skills in the Microsoft Office suite of software. The office software specialist is a support professional that may oversee the clerical support functions of an office, schedule meetings, monitor and respond to email, and prepare documents, reports, and presentations using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

They may also create and update spreadsheet and database files using Access and Excel. Bookkeeping duties may be performed using Excel or QuickBooks. Strong software skills allow this office professional to take on many different types of responsibilities in an office. The credits earned in this program can be applied towards the Administrative Office Specialist Diploma and Administrative Office Specialist AAS Degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Define and recognize business etiquette and professionalism in the workplace and exhibit these skills in class interactions and communications such as e-mail and the discussion board.
2. Show basic keyboarding competency.
3. Utilize software applications necessary for efficient office operations including file management, e-mail, calendaring, search engines, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
4. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Word skills to create and edit flyers, letters, and reports using templates, mail merge, and building blocks.
5. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills to use formulas and functions to create and edit worksheets, workbooks, charts and graphics, lookup tables, pivot tables, and charts as used in business scenarios.
6. Employ intermediate to advanced Microsoft Access skills to practice how to plan, design, create, and query a database, generate reports, and produce input user forms while recognizing correct database design concepts.
7. Employ intermediate to advanced PowerPoint skills to create business presentations that demonstrate appropriate design techniques.
8. Apply accounting principles as they pertain to business office bookkeeping scenarios. Complete an accounting simulation by applying bookkeeping functions using QuickBooks.
9. Practice methods to integrate Office 365 software to achieve efficiency in office operations.

Industry and Career Outlook

Microsoft Office software skills are in-demand skills for anyone interested in a career in today’s technology-focused workplace. The office software specialist employs a variety of productivity software which may include word processing, database, presentation, desktop publishing, electronic calendaring and meeting, and bookkeeping software to support other professionals to accomplish the workflow of an office.

Because of their wide range of skills, software specialists can perform a wide range of office responsibilities. Competency in Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook are essential and can be pivotal for current employees to advance. An additional benefit is that administrative support professionals with strong productivity software skills are needed in every industry.

Wage information is available from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development.

Program Start Dates

Fall Semester: August
Spring Semester: January

Graduation Requirements

Students must earn a cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher to be eligible for graduation from this program.

Faculty Contact

Darla Cullen: 763-576-4018
Deb Catlett: 763-576-4025

For information on how to apply, to schedule a tour, or for service during summer hours, contact Enrollment Services at 763-576-7710 or EnrollmentServices@anokatech.edu.