Administrative Office Professional

Market driven, industry validated—the Administrative Office Professional (AOP) degree program, which has been approved statewide, reflects the evolving responsibilities of secretaries, administrative assistants, and other support personnel. 

Administrative office professionals are increasingly self-directed and technically proficient. This program emphasizes project management; internet/intranet communications and research; document retrieval; customer service and public relations; the ability to take initiative, think logically, and demonstrate problem-solving techniques; and successfully interact with a variety of personalities. The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has identified a new Administrative Professional who is capable of handling complex tasks and managing groups of individuals.

This statewide program includes students working 180 hours in a variety of offices. Upon completion, the students are eligible to sit for the Certified Administrative Professional or Certified Professional Secretary examinations sponsored by the International Association of Administrative Professionals. When they pass the written exam, they will become credentialed as Certified Administrative Professionals or Certified Professional Secretaries after working full-time for one year.

Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Technology and Management through Oregon Institute of Technology following completion of the Administrative Office Professional AAS should contact their academic advisor early in the program of study. The BAS is designed specifically for students who have completed a technical AAS or AS degree and are seeking advancement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete an Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Office Professional will:

• Function effectively as a team member and/or leader, including virtual partners.
• Interact effectively in oral and written communications.
• Use project management skills.
• Schedule and maintain calendars for self and others.
• Plan meetings, including negotiating hotel contracts, scheduling catering, preparing for cyber- and video-conferencing.
• Plan travel and supporting activities for others.
• Perform desktop publishing using both paper and electronic methods.
• Multi-task efficiently.
• Model professional and ethical behaviors.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Solve problems using a variety of appropriate tools.

Program Requirements

The Administrative Office Professional program is designed to be completed in two years of full-time attendance. This assumes that the student has placed at or above the necessary levels on the Computerized Placement Test (CPT) or has taken the necessary coursework to place into the required program courses. It is advisable to take the placement test as early as possible to identify courses needed prior to enrolling in this program. Students should work with an advisor to interpret the test scores and get help in planning their program.