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.

Program Start Dates

Fall Semester: August
Spring Semester: January

Faculty Contact

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