The Office Systems Technology program is an integrated curriculum
that prepares graduates at the certificate, diploma, and Associate degree level. The program prepares students to work in an office environment of people, process, and technologies. These personnel use a variety of office technology and computer-based applications (word processing, electronic mail, desktop publishing, graphics, database, and spreadsheet). They support and help facilitate accurate communication and information exchange to internal and external customers on a timely basis. Technical and general education courses prepare students for today’s workforce and provide a basis for lifelong learning. Students select a specialty from the following options:
financial assistant, administrative, desktop publishing, legal, and medical. All Associate degree and diploma-seeking students must complete supervised work experience in an office prior to graduation. Program graduates are employed in professional offices, education, government, businesses and industries. Students have the opportunity to achieve MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) certifications within many of the courses.
Students entering the OST program will need basic computer and keyboarding skills. Those skills may be obtained through CIS100, OST 100 (Keyboarding) and OST 113 (Skillbuilding).
Associate in Applied Science
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Office Systems Technology
General Education
ENG 101 Writing I.............................................................................. 3
Second Writing Course approved by Program Coordinator........... 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR..................................................... 3
MT 110 Applied Mathematics OR................................................... (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course............................................. (3)
Heritage/Humanities Course......................................................... 3
Oral Communication Course........................................................ 3
Natural/Applied Science Course1............................................... 3-4
Social Interaction Course2............................................................ 3
Computer Literacy ..................................................................... 3
General Education Credit Hours 24-25
Technical Core
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 210 Advanced Word Processing Applications.............................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
OST 235 Business Communications Technology................................. 3
OST 275 Office Management.............................................................. 3
Technical Core Credit Hours 15
1 Medical Option Students must take BIO 135 or BIO 130 or (BIO 137 and BIO 139).
2 Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accredited colleges must require Economics.
Administrative Option
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course........................................ (3)
OST 150 Transcription and Office Technology OR............................ 3
Course Approved by Program Coordinator........................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management OR................................ 3
OST 230 Medical Records and Database Management....................... (3)
OST 215 Office Procedures OR........................................................... 3
OST 217 Medical Office Procedures................................................. (3)
OST 220 Administrative Office Simulations........................................ 3
OST 225 Introduction to Desktop Publishing...................................... 3
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education................................................... (2-3)
Course Approved by Program Coordinator.......................... 3
Total Administrative Option Credit Hours 23-24
Total Credit Hours 62-64
Financial Assistant Option
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
ACT 102 Fundamentals of Accounting II OR....................................... 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
ACT 279 Computerized Accounting Systems OR................................. 3
OST 114 Computerized Financial Management................................ (3)
OST 112 Financial Management OR................................................... 3
Course Approved by Program Coordinator........................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education................................................... (2-3)
Course Approved by Program Coordinator.......................... 3
Total Financial Assistant Option Credit Hours 23-24
Total Credit Hours 62-64
Legal Administrative Option
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting.................................................. (3)
OST 114 Computerized Financial Management................................... 3
BA 267 Introduction to Business Law................................................ 3
OST 109 Legal Terminology............................................................... 3
OST 111 Legal Document Processing.................................................. 4
OST 120 Legal Office Systems............................................................ 3
OST 103 Medical Office Terminology OR.......................................... 3
CLA 131 Medical Terminology from Greek and Latin OR................ (3)
AHS 115 Medical Terminology........................................................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education................................................... (2-3)
Total 27-28
Total Credit Hours 66-68
Certificates and Diplomas
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Diplomas
Administrative Assistant
General Education
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
Total General Education 6
Technical Courses
Computer Literacy...................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
Course Approved by Program Coordinator.......................... 3
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 150 Transcription and Office Technology OR............................ 3
Course Approved by Program Coordinator........................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 210 Advanced Word Processing Applications.............................. 3
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 225 Introduction to Desktop Publishing...................................... 3
OST 235 Business Communications Technology................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education................................................... (2-3)
Total Technical Hours 35-36
Total Credit Hours 41-42
Office Assistant
General Education
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional- OR....................... 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
Total General Education 6
Technical Courses
Computer Literacy...................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 210 Advanced Word Processing Applications.............................. 3
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 235 Business Communications Technology................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education...................................................... (3)
Courses Approved by Program Coordinator......................... 6
Total Technical Hours 30
Total Credit Hours 36
Financial Assistant
General Education
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
Total General Education 6
Technical Courses
Computer Literacy...................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
ACT 102 Fundamentals of Accounting II OR....................................... 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
OST 114 Computerized Financial Management OR............................. 3
ACT 279 Computerized Accounting Systems.................................... (3)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 112 Financial Management OR................................................... 3
Course Approved by Program Coordinator........................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education...................................................... (3)
Course Approved by Program Coordinator.......................... 3
Total Technical Hours 33
Total Credit Hours 39
Legal Office Assistant
General Education
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
Total General Education 6
Technical Courses
Computer Literacy...................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level of Accounting Course................................... (3)
BA 267 Introduction to Business Law................................................ 3
OST 109 Legal Terminology............................................................... 3
OST 111 Legal Document Processing.................................................. 4
OST 120 Legal Office Systems............................................................ 3
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 235 Business Communications Technology................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
OST 295 Office Systems Technology Internship OR........................... 3
COE 199 Cooperative Education...................................................... (3)
Total Technical Hours 34
Total Credit Hours 40
Certificates
Administrative
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
Computer Literacy...................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
OST 235 Business Communications Technology................................. 3
OST 150 Transcription and Office Technology OR............................ 3
Course Approved by Program Coordinator........................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
ACT 101 Fundamental of Accounting I OR......................................... 3
Higher level Accounting Course......................................... (3)
Data Entry Operator
Computer Literacy...................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
Total Credit Hours 6
Financial Assistant Clerk
Computer Literacy ..................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
Total Credit Hours 18
Financial Assistant Trainee
Computer Literacy ..................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
Total Credit Hours 12
Financial Record Keeper
Computer Literacy ..................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
ACT 101 Fundamentals of Accounting I OR........................................ 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
OST 114 Computerized Financial Management OR............................. 3
Higher Level Accounting Course....................................... (3)
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 112 Financial Management OR................................................... 3
Course Approved by Program Coordinator........................ (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 213 Business Calculations for the Office Professional OR............ 3
MT 105 Business Mathematics OR.................................................. (3)
Higher Level Mathematics Course..................................... (3)
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
Total Credit Hours 30
Receptionist
Computer Literacy ..................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
Total Credit Hours 12
Legal Receptionist
Computer Literacy ..................................................................... 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 109 Legal Terminology............................................................... 3
Total Credit Hours 15
Integrated Office Skills
OST 108 Editing Skills for the Office Professional OR........................ 3
ENG 101 Writing I........................................................................... (3)
Computer Literacy ............................................................. 3
(Passing the computer competency exam will satisfy this requirement. If the computer competency exam is successfully completed, the student must take three (3) credit hours of coursework approved by the program coordinator.)
OST 110 Document Formatting and Word Processing......................... 3
OST 160 Records and Database Management...................................... 3
OST 210 Advanced Word Processing Applications.............................. 3
OST 215 Office Procedures................................................................. 3
OST 240 Software Integration OR....................................................... 3
CIS 130 Microcomputer Applications............................................. (3)
Total Credit Hours 21
Virtually all sectors of the economy require people with skills in office systems technology. Gateway’s program prepares graduates for career opportunities in professional offices, education, government, businesses and industries of all type.
Projected employment in this field varies by occupational specialty. Many openings over the 2006-2014 period will result from vacancies due to retirement and career changes. Growing industries, such as administrative and support services; health care and social assistance; educational services (private); and professional, scientific and technical services; will continue to generate most new job openings. Opportunities should be best for applicants with extensive knowledge of software applications. (Source: DOL Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-2007)
Training in Office Systems Technology can lead to such positions as:
- Administrative Assistant
- Data Entry Operator
- Financial Assistant Clerk
- Financial Assistant Trainee
- Financial Record Keeper
- Legal Administrative Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Office Assistant
- Office Manager
- Receptionist
Today’s office environment blends the capabilities of people, processes and technologies. Office technology and computer-based applications support and facilitate accurate communication and information exchange between businesses and customers to achieve maximum productivity and service. Efficient operations require proficiency in such areas as word processing, electronic mail, desktop publishing, graphics, database management, and spreadsheet software.
The Office Systems Technology Program offers an integrated curriculum that prepares graduates at the certificate, diploma and Associate degree levels. Technical courses are combined with general education courses to prepare students for today’s workforce and provide a basis for lifelong learning, a necessity in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. All students seeking Associate degrees or diplomas must complete supervised work experience in an office prior to graduation.
Students have the opportunity to achieve Microsoft Office Specialist certification, a globally recognized standard for validating expertise with the Microsoft Office suite of business productivity programs and IC3 certification, a global certification that verifies a candidate possesses the acceptable standard level of basic computer and Internet literacy.
Look up the median annual base salary In Northern Kentucky for occupations related to this program at
www.Salary.comCurriculum in the KCTCS system is constantly being reviewed, improved and updated to ensure quality and relevance. Exact course requirements will be provided by a program advisor at an advising session or upon enrollment. Courses listed in this document are representative, but not binding on Gateway College.
