The Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business Technology (formally Office Technology) offers three areas of emphasis: Administrative Assistant, Legal, and Medical. The two-year degree provides necessary business and office technology and interpersonal skills to succeed in the job market. The degree is designed to prepare students through a program of study to demonstrate entry-level skills for a career as an administrative assistant, medical office assistant, or a legal office assistant. Depending on background and career objectives, developmental skills and other preparatory course work may be required in addition to the 60-66 credit hours listed below. A Business Technology diploma and certificates for Medical Transcriptionist or Legal Office Technology are also available to meet the needs of employees in the health care and legal communities.

Emphases:

Administrative Assistant

The Associate of Applied Science in Business Technology with an Administrative Assistant emphasis is a 60-61 credit hour (four semester if taken full-time) program that will prepare you to be an administrative assistant. You will develop skills in communication, general and specific office tasks, and computer applications. Upon successful completion of this program, you will have the necessary skills to work in a variety of business settings.

Legal Assistant

The Associate of Applied Science in Business Technology with a Legal emphasis is a 60-61 credit hour (four semester if taken full-time) program that will provide you with specialized training in legal technology, a proficiency in communication, general and specific office tasks, and computer applications. The program will provide you with an understanding of specific legal office duties. As a graduate, you will have the required skills for a successful career in legal or government fields.
The 18 – credit hour Legal Business Emphasis Certificate will prepare you for an entry-level position in a law/legal related business environment.

Medical Office

The Associate of Applied Science in Business Technology with a Medical emphasis is a 60-62 credit hour (four semesters if taken full-time) program that provides specialized training in medical office technology including medical terminology, scheduling, billing, insurance, patient data and information, transcription, and office management. You will also develop skills in communication, general and specific office tasks, and medical computer applications.
As a graduate, you will be qualified to hold positions in doctors’ offices, medical clinics, hospitals, health departments, insurance company offices, and other medical and surgical organizations. Many medical transcriptionists telecommute from home-based offices, while others work in medical facilities such as hospitals, physicians’ offices, or clinics. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, facilities prefer to hire transcriptionists who have earned associate’s degrees or completed certificate programs. The 18 – credit hour Medical Transcriptionist certificate meets the needs and provides the proper training necessary to those businesses requiring the skills of a medical transcriptionist.

MEDICAL TRANSCRIPTIONIST CERTIFICATE

The 18 credit hours Medical Transcriptionist Certificate meets the needs of employees in the health care field by developing specific skills to assure job-entry competency.

MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING CERTIFICATE

The 18 credit hour Medical Billing and Coding Certificate meets the needs of employees in the medical billing andcoding field by developing specific skills to assure job entry competency.

Program Objectives

  • Acquire entry-level skills for employment in an office environment in one of the emphasis areas.
  • Operate modern computer equipment utilizing software application packages.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills.
  • Demonstrate appropriate human relations skills.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of mathematical reasoning and principles in relation to entry-level employment.

Employment Opportunities

The Business Technology Program is intended for students seeking employment immediately following graduation. Opportunities exist in business, law, education, agriculture, health care, transportation, e-commerce, and other industries.

Recommended Electives

Electives may be selected from non-program business technology classes, business, computer science, information technology or other related courses. Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification courses should be considered. If a student feels deficient in computer skills, the student should consider enrolling in the introductory courses CSCE 1604 (Word) and/ or CSCE 1624 (WordPerfect).