Microsoft Office Specialist

Make yourself indispensable in today’s busy, automated workplace by mastering the Microsoft Office Suite. Students will study Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint and advanced information technologies, such as web conferencing, social media and mobile applications. 

  • Prepare for a variety of career opportunities, such as secretary, help-desk technician, administrative assistant or office clerk.
  • This focused program can be completed in less than a year, putting you on the road to a new future! 
  • Prepare for the industry-recognized Microsoft exams for measuring an individual’s mastery of Office applications.
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Microsoft Office Specialist Certificate

Students completing this program are prepared to assume a variety of positions in an automated office setting. The program recognizes the increasingly important role of the personal computer in modern business and is designed to assist students in developing their skills in the use of graphing, personal management, project management and electronic presentations. The Microsoft Office Specialist program provides a framework for measuring student proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and prepares students for the industry recognized Microsoft exams for measuring an individual’s mastery of Office applications. Students completing the program could be hired at entry-level positions such as secretaries, help desk technicians, administrative assistants and stenographers. Students can continue and pursue an associate degree in the executive assistant program.

Sample Courses

At course entry, your keyboarding speed and accuracy is measured. A diagnosis of your specific keyboarding problem is made. Your skill improvement goals will be established, and appropriate practice lessons selected. Periodic program check timings will be administered to measure your progress.

Learn to use Outlook components to create and use the calendar feature to schedule meetings and multiple day events, establish a “contacts” database, keep journals, notes and use the task manager for prioritizing jobs. This is an optional component of the Microsoft Office User Specialist Expert certification tests. Typing ability necessary to be successful in this course.

Produce, store and revise letters, memos, tables and reports using Microsoft Word headers, footers, mail merge, document assembly, grammar and spell checker, thesaurus, and outlining are covered. Keyboarding skills are essential.

Certificate Details

Earnings

Annual average earnings for secretaries and administrative assistants are $39,680. Annual earnings for help desk technicians, $49,770.


Outlook

Overall employment of secretaries and administrative assistants is projected to decline 7 percent in the coming years. Despite declining employment, about 324,300 openings for secretaries and administrative assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or retire.

Help desk technicians should see 9 percent growth in coming years.


Certificate

Jackson County

If you reside in Jackson county, Michigan.

$4,426

In Michigan

If you reside in the state of Michigan.

$4,794

Out of Michigan

If you reside outside the state of Michigan.

$5,834

Estimated program costs include tuition, fees and digital textbooks based on 2022-2023 tuition rates. Please note that these costs are only estimates and an individualized financial plan will be created when a student meets with their Student Success Navigator.

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