What can I do with this?
The Business Office Technology Certificate
- Prepare students for challenging positions as administrative assistants and office managers through courses in communication, industry standard computer applications, business, office procedures, and bookkeeping in order to meet the needs of the technologically dynamic office.
You can use this to:
- Enhance career opportunities in:
- Office Assistant
- Bookkeeper
- Data Entry Operator
- Filing Clerk
- Inventory Clerk
- Clerk I, II, III
- Administrative Assistant
- Receptionist
- Front Office Professional
- Payroll Clerk
- Accounts Receivable Clerk
- Accounts Payable Clerk
What will I learn?
- To display business standards for efficiency, time management, and quality of work while projecting a professional image including ethical standards with respect to privacy, confidentiality, and personal behavior both independently and in group situations.
- To apply fundamental principles of spelling, grammar, and punctuation to a wide variety of business communication messages, documents, and reports appropriate for the intended audience.
- To select, apply, and adapt computer software tools such as word processing, spreadsheet, data base, accounting, presentation, and desktop publishing, to business related tasks and assess the logic of the results.
- To analyze and record a variety of business financial transactions including but not limited to petty cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and process through the accounting cycle from journalizing to financial statements.
- To apply standard records management procedures when establishing and maintaining systems to classify, organize, store, and retrieve hard copy and electronic files.
- To demonstrate active listening skills to accurately condense and record verbal information, instructions, and ideas.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
All the classes required for my Business Office Technology degree that I have taken help so much with my job as an office manager.
—Heather Martin, Student
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
Complete all of the following courses:
54 hours lecture. This course introduces practical mathematical applications for business information students. Topics include solving business problems using an electronic calculator, banking, payroll, invoicing, markups/markdowns, interest, present and future value, credit cards, student loans, types of insurance, installment buying, and mortgages. Learners are required to access a printing calculator with features including round off/up key, decimal selector for 0 through 6 plus float memory keys and 10-12 digit keyboard.
Advisory: BSOT C070
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course covers basic accounting concepts and procedures that are required to complete the accounting cycle. Account types (assets, liabilities, equity, revenue, expenses) as well as procedures for bank reconciliations, petty cash, and payroll are introduced. Learners complete business transactions from day-to-day economic activities to closing entries, and prepare year end documents such as a balance sheet, income statement, and statement of owner's equity. Students must complete and prepare lab assignments which will reinforce the concepts of the course. An introduction to Quickbooks is also incorporated in this course as an automated software option.
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course is designed for those with little or no computer experience. Learners practice file management, email, instant messaging, and Internet browsing and searching. This course includes a brief introduction to industry standard word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation application programs. Computer terminology and identification of fundamental hardware and software applications are also introduced. (Formerly CSCI C070.)
Advisory: BSOT C075, ENGL C101
54 hours lecture. This course provides the learner with a survey of skills and topics covered in the Business Information Worker certificates and degree program. Business English, entry level office procedures, the role of a business information professional, the workplace environment, workplace communication, ethics, customer focus, and teamwork are covered. The focus is an introduction to skills that are relevant to success as an office clerk, administrative assistant, office manager, or other business information worker roles.
Advisory: ENGL C101
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides the learner with a basic understanding of word processing with Microsoft Word, including document creation, formatting, and editing. Learners create, edit, and format business letters, multiple-page reports, newsletters, and cover letters. This course begins preparation for the Microsoft Office User certification exam for Word.
Advisory: BSOT C075, ENGL C101
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides a basic understanding of Microsoft Excel beginning with spreadsheet design, creation, revision, formatting, and printing a workbook. Basic formulas, functions, and syntax are introduced along with an introduction to using charts and graphs. Problem solving for Excel solutions is also emphasized. This course begins preparation for the Microsoft Office User Certification exam for Excel.
Advisory: BSOT C075, ENGL C101
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This hands-on computer course provides a beginning understanding of the Microsoft Access database management program. Topics include fundamental relational database design and management as well as building and editing basic tables, forms, queries, and reports. This course begins preparation for the core level Microsoft Access Office Specialist certification exam.
Advisory: BSOT C075, ENGL C101.
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides the learner with experience in planning, creating, editing, viewing, and printing PowerPoint presentations. Included is the opportunity to add and modify both text and graphics; insert and modify information graphics and multimedia; apply, modify, and create master pages; and apply, modify, and create templates. Integration with other Microsoft programs is included. It is designed for all individuals including professionals acquiring or updating basic skills in creating and editing professional presentations. This course prepares for the Microsoft Office User Certification in MS PowerPoint.
Advisory: BSOT C075, ENGL C101.
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course introduces personal management software and use of Microsoft Outlook functions. Topics include management of e-mail, organization of contacts, creation and scheduling of events using the calendar, and creation and management of tasks for personal and business use. Customization of Outlook features is also covered.
Advisory: BSOT C131, ENGL C101
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This is an intermediate-level course that builds on a basic keyboarding foundation with correct touch-typing techniques, including alphabetic, numeric, and symbol keyboarding as well as 10-key numeric keypad. Skill-building includes introductory formatting of documents using Microsoft Word. Successful completion of this class results in minimum keyboarding speed of 30 net words per minute on a three-minute timed writing.
Prerequisite: BSOT C132
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This is an advanced-level keyboarding course that builds on an intermediate keyboarding foundation with correct touch-typing techniques, including alphabetic, numeric, and symbol keyboarding as well as 10-key numeric keypad. Skill-building includes document production with advanced formatting using MS Word and individualized remedial drills. Successful completion of this class results in minimum keyboarding speed of 45 net words per minute (wpm) or better on a five-minute timed writing.
Advisory: BSOT C075, BSOT C131
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides a basic understanding of Adobe Acrobat. Topics include creating portable document files (PDF), working with PDF files, annotating and editing files, plus interactive forms and problem solving. Management of PDFs is also covered.
Prerequisite: BSOT C121
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides an intermediate understanding of word processing concepts. Learners create, edit, and format documents including business plans, form letters, and mailing labels, and learn how to collaborate with others on the creation of complex documents. Features of templates, outlines, mail merge, and online distribution of web-based documents are also included. This course continues preparation for the Microsoft Office Application Specialist certification exam for Microsoft Word.
Prerequisite: BSOT C123
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides an intermediate understanding of Microsoft Excel, covering data analysis, multiple worksheets and functions, pivot tables, conflict resolution, change-tracking, data validation, chart formatting, template usage, and macro operation. Problem solving for Excel solutions is also emphasized. This course continues preparation for the Microsoft Office User Certification exam for Excel.
Prerequisite: BSOT C125
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides an intermediate understanding of database design and management. Advanced queries, table design, custom forms, and reports as well as integration of Access with the Web and other programs is covered. This course continues preparation for the Microsoft Office User Specialist exam for MS Access.
Prerequisite: BSOT C151
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides an advanced understanding of word processing with Microsoft Word, including creation of templates, macros, advanced table formatting, and use of long documents and subdocuments. Customizing and automating work and online forms are also covered. This course completes preparation for the Microsoft Office User exam for Word.
Prerequisite: BSOT C153
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This course provides an advanced understanding of Microsoft Excel. Financial and what-if analysis, data tables, scenario management, importing and exporting data, enhancing with Visual Basic, sub-routines, modifying default settings, collaborating on shared workbooks, and problem-solving tools are covered. This course completes preparation for the Microsoft Office User Certification exam for Excel.
Prerequisite: BSOT C155
9 hours lecture/27 hours laboratory. This hands-on computer course provides an advanced understanding of Microsoft Access. Action queries, table relationship properties, and automating tasks with macros are covered. Visual Basic for Applications is introduced to enhance database construction and functionality. Managing with replication and synchronization, as well securing with the user level Security Wizard, is included. This course completes the study of skills required to prepare for the Microsoft Application Specialist exam for Access.
Prerequisite: BSOT C100, BSOT C132. Advisory: BSAD C145, BSOT C127, BSOT C153, BSOT C161
54 hours lecture. Designed for the last semester of study in the Business Office Technology/ Business Information Professional major, this course integrates and refines business information skills presented throughout the program in advanced preparation for the administrative professional occupation. Procedures such as travel arrangements, organizing meetings or conferences, and electronic records management are introduced. Emphasis is placed on time management, customer service, human relations, workplace ethics, and effective communication. A final focus on job applications, interviewing, and employment documents is included. (Formerly BSOT C154 Office Personnel Seminar.)
Advisory: BSOT C121, ENGL C101
54 hours lecture. This course presents the principles and techniques of effective written and oral business communication. Students discuss, critique, and practice business-writing strategies to produce messages, letters, reports, and presentations, while developing critical thinking skills. Students are evaluated on their knowledge of grammar, writing skills, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Program Pathways
All classes needed for this certificate are available at the following campuses: CC Online
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This certificate requires 30.0 units and will likely take 3 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
30.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $1,380 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $1,800* for books and supplies
Total cost $3,180 for 3 semesters
Non-residents
30.0 units
at $388 per unit
Equals $11,640 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $1,800* for books and supplies
Total cost $13,440 for 3 semesters
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
