Liberal Arts: Computer Applications & Office Technology (AA)
Program Overview:
Diversify Your Knowledge and Advance Your Skills for Any Career in Business
Compile data to generate a spreadsheet report on internal office spending. Prepare a PowerPoint presentation on how the company will incorporate new office policies. Create monthly documents that include table charts on yearly budget data. Many of today’s careers require using critical-thinking, computer software knowledge, and strong writing and communication skills.
Being savvy with the top computer applications opens the doors to a variety of careers. With LASC’s Computer Applications and Office Technology program, you’ll learn how to navigate the Microsoft Office suite to create spreadsheets, presentations, documents, and more, while building your office skills in human resources and personnel management. And, a liberal arts degree in this program gives you the space to build important soft skills, such as critical thinking, communication, and writing skills to combine with computer and technology skills to have a strong foundation to handle anything that’s put on your desk!
Careers in Computer Applications and Office Technology
A majority of today’s jobs are technology-focused, or at a minimum require some understanding of business technology. The skills you learn in LASC’s Computer Applications and Office Technology program can be applied in a variety of industries to give you a head start over the competition.
Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a Computer applications and Office Technology degree:
Career information below taken from bls.gov February 2020. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.
Perform duties related to the purchase, sale or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Some College | $55,980/year | $26.91/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (much faster than average) |
2,530 |
Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree and higher | $39,830/year | $19.15/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 11% increase (much faster than average) |
28,610 |
Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and performing clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | $70,860/year | $34.07/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or more | 7% increase (faster than average) |
28,100 |
Locate and notify customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone, or personal visit to solicit payment. Duties include receiving payment and posting amount to customer's account; preparing statements to credit department if a customer fails to respond; initiating repossession proceedings or service disconnection, and keeping records of collection and status of accounts.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Some college | $42,590/year | $20.47/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| None needed | 5% increase (as fast as average) |
9,850 |
Oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities.
Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim
| Typical Education Level: | Salary: | Hourly Median Wage: |
|---|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $123,040/year | $59.16/hour |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation: | Job Outlook 2018-2028: | Number of Jobs 2018: |
| 5 years or less | 4% increase (as fast as average) |
5,290 |
What You’ll Learn at LASC in Computer Applications and Office Technologies
You can get Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts degrees through LASC’s Computer Applications and Office Technologies program where you will sharpen your writing of business letters, design newsletters, and compare and contrast web browsers while establishing real-world connections to launch your career:
- Learn how culture, society, economic systems, legal, international, political, financial institutions, and human behavior interact to affect a business organization’s policy and practices within the U.S. and a global society to prepare you for a career in any business field.
- Improve your skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook to design, create, and edit word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations to be able to expertly handle whatever your company needs.
- Increase your typing speed to keep up with business demands and new technology. You’ll be able to knock out emails, business letters, and reports quickly and efficiently.
- LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
- Want to transfer? You can save money on your first two years of college learning from intelligent, dedicated faculty before transferring to a four-year university. Meet with your academic counselor for more information.
Degrees & Courses You Will Take
Review the LASC Associate in Science (AS) and the Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts (AA) degrees in Computer Applications and Office Technologies below, along with our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:
Major Code: 702.10
Total Units Required: 60
Once you complete this program, you will be able to:
- Write a business letter using a standard business format including seven (7) basic elements and design a newsletter.
- Create and demonstrate a PowerPoint presentation as well as a chart to depict data graphically.
| Core Courses (Choose and complete 18 units): | Units |
|---|---|
| CAOT 2 Computer Keyboarding II | 3 |
| CAOT 31 Business English | 3 |
| OR | |
| CAOT 32 Business Communications | 3 |
| CAOT 43 Office Procedures | 3 |
| CAOT 82 Microcomputer Software Survey in the Office | 3 |
| CAOT 84 Microcomputer Office Applications: Word Processing | 3 |
| CAOT 85 Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 18 |
Major Code: 514.00
Total Units Required: 60
Upon successfully completing this program, you should be able to:
- Create and demonstrate PowerPoint presentations as well as a chart to depict data graphically.
- Write a business letter using a standard business format including 7 basic elements and design a newsletter.
- Compare and contrast web browsers and identify web domains.
| Required Courses: | Units |
|---|---|
| CAOT 31 Business English | 3 |
| CAOT 32 Business Communications | 3 |
| CAOT 33 Records Management and Filing | 3 |
| CAOT 43 Office Procedures | 3 |
| CAOT 47 Applied Office Practice | 2 |
| CAOT 82 Microcomputer Software Survey in the Office | 3 |
| CAOT 84 Microcomputer Office Applications: Word Processing | 3 |
| CAOT 85 Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet | 3 |
| MGMT 31 Human Relations for Employees | 3 |
| TOTAL UNITS | 23 |
| Recommended Electives: | Units |
|---|---|
| BUS 1 Introduction to Business | 3 |
| BUS 5 Business Law | 3 |
| BUS 38 Business Computations | 3 |
| CAOT 1 Computer Keyboarding I | 3 |
| CAOT 2 Computer Keyboarding II | 3 |
| CAOT 34 Business Terminology | 3 |
| MGMT 33 Personnel Management | 3 |
Get Ready Before You Start
Interested in a career in business? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can begin preparing for your career:
- Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop your Student Education Plan (SEP), and make sure to discuss your academic and career goals so they can direct you to all LASC has to offer you!
- Still in high school? Enroll in a basic computer skills course or typing class to be comfortable typing at a consistent speed. Check with local businesses to see if they are hiring a part-time receptionist or data-entry associate to gain valuable office experience.
- Once you’re at LASC, make sure to get involved with off- or on-campus clubs and organizations, such as Toastmasters to improve your public speaking skills and attend business events at the School of Career & Technical Education. You can also become a student ambassador, or run for student body government. These create new relationships and show potential employers your commitment to building your business, communication, and leadership skills.
Program Learning Outcomes
Once you complete this program, you will be able to:
- Write a business letter using a standard business format, including 7 basic elements, and design a newsletter.
- Create and demonstrate a PowerPoint presentation, as well as a chart to depict data graphically.