Administrative Support Technology
Associate in Applied Science
Program Coordinator: Nan Jones, LRC 712, Ext. 2465
Length: Four semesters (two years)
Purpose: With the rapid development of business and industry in Virginia, there is a great demand for qualified personnel in office occupations. The Associate in Applied Science Degree curriculum in Administrative Support Technology is designed to prepare persons for full-time employment immediately upon completion of the community college program. Persons who are seeking their first employment in an office position as well as those who are seeking a promotion may benefit from this curriculum.
Occupational Objectives:
Word Processing Specialist
Stenographer
Related Office Occupations
Executive Secretary
Office Manager
Administrative Assistant
Admissions Requirements: In addition to the admission requirements established for the college, entry into the Associate in Applied Science Degree curriculum in Administrative Support Technology requires proficiency in high school English and mathematics. Students who are not proficient in English and mathematics will be required to correct their deficiencies in developmental courses.
Advanced Placement: Students who have completed training in Office Technology courses at the high school level or who have had appropriate occupational experience may apply for advance placement with credit. Credit by examination will be the basis upon which such advance placement will be granted. Through a special examination program, it will be possible for a student to exempt a portion of the typewriting requirement. Students currently holding either the CPS or PLS certification may also be granted up to 25 semester hours of credit. The student may then elect to enroll in an accelerated program to complete the AAS degree requirements in less than two years or take appropriate advanced courses for further occupational preparation.
Program Requirements: The two-year curriculum in Administrative Support Technology combines instruction in the many areas required for competence as a secretary in business, government, industry, law offices, and other organizations. The curriculum will include courses in Administrative Support Technology, related areas, general education and electives. Students are advised to consult with their faculty advisor and counselor in planning their programs. Upon satisfactory completion of the four semester curriculum listed below, the graduate will be awarded the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Technology with a major in Administrative Support Technology.
Note: Associate in Applied Science Degree programs, designed primarily to provide occupational competence for employment entry, may be modified by the college upon the student’s request to provide possible transfer acceptability by four-year colleges and universities.
Administrative Support Technology
| First Semester (Fall) | ||||
| Course | Lec. | Lab. | ||
| Number | Course Title | Hrs. | Hrs. | Crs. |
| ENG 111 | College Composition I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| SDV 101 | Orientation to College Success | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| AST 101 | 1Keyboarding I | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| AST 123 | Speedwriting I | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| MTH 141 | Business Math | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | 0 | 15 | |
| Second Semester (Spring) | ||||
| ENG 112 | College Composition II | |||
| Or | ||||
| SPD 110 | Intro. to Speech | |||
| Communications | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| PED | 2Physical Education | 0 | 2-3 | 1 |
| AST 102 | Keyboarding II | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| AST 124 | Speedwriting II | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| AST 137 | Records Management | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PSY 120 | Human Relations | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 17 | 2-3 | 18 | |
| Third Semester (Fall) | ||||
| ACC 115 | 3Applied Accounting | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| AST 205 | Business Communications | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| AST 141 | Word Processing I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| AST 232 | Microcomputer Office | |||
| Applications | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| AST 243 | Office Administration I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PED | 2Physical Education | 0 | 2-3 | 1 |
| Total | 14 | 4-5 | 16 | |
| Fourth Semester (Spring) | ||||
| BUS 241 | Business Law I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| AST 236 | Specialized Software | |||
| Applications | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| AST 240 | Machine Transcription | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| AST 244 | Office Administration II | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECO 201 | 4Principles of Economics I | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| or ECO 202 | ||||
| EEE | 5Humanities | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| Total Minimum Credits for AAS Degree.............................67 | ||||
The above semester-by semester sequence of courses may be modified when necessary. Please refer to the Program Choices section of this Catalog for a discussion of factors which affect planning and sequencing programs of study.
1. Students who have completed prior training in these courses may apply for advanced placement with credit by examination.
2. Students may substitute any HLT (Health) course for Physical Education requirement. Transfer students should note that four-year institutions may require a PED activity course in the general core.
3. ACC 211 may be taken in place of ACC 115.
4. ECO 201 or 202 may be taken to complete the economics requirement. Note that Economics 201 is Macroeconomics and 202 is Microeconomics.
5. Humanities elective include: ART 201, 202; Foreign Languages; MUS 121, 122; PHI 101; REL 200, 210, 230; SPD 130, 151, 152.
Note: Cooperative Education – AST 297 may be taken after satisfactory completion of the second semester with faculty and Co-op advisor approvals. The non-paid Co-op education option with nonprofit entities is available in this program of study.