Mar 14, 2025  
2024-2025 Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Catalog

Computer Information Systems - Microsoft Office Specialist (certificate)

Official Title of Certificate: Computer Information Systems - Microsoft Office Specialist, Certificate

Award: Certificate

Code: CRT.CIS.MICROSOFT-OS

Total Credit Hours: 23

About the Computer Information Systems Department 

Purpose: To prepare students for employment in businesses that have a demand for personnel with personal computer skills. Students receive a general background in computer operations and extensive training using productivity software necessary to support the electronic office and business.

The Microsoft Office Specialist emphasizes the development and expertise in Microsoft Office applications of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook. This certificate can be used as a stepping stone to the Help Desk and Technical Support Certificate or the Information Systems Technology AAS degree program. Note: Students can earn the Office Applications Specialist Letter of Recognition along with this certificate.

Range of Occupations

  • Applications software designer
  • Office Manager
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Microsoft Office Certified Application Specialist trainer
  • Personal computer specialist

Special Conditions

Financial Aid: This program has not been approved by the U.S. Department of Education for eligibility for federal student aid. Students enrolled in this program may not be eligible to receive financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education (Pell Grants, SEOG, Federal Work-Study, Direct Loans or PLUS loans) or the Maryland Higher Education Commission (Educational Assistance Grants, Senatorial Scholarships or Delegate Scholarships). For current information on eligible programs, contact Financial Aid by calling 410-777-2203, emailing finaid@aacc.edu or stopping by a Financial Aid office.

Online Degrees and Credit Certificates

This program can be completed fully online. Some online courses may require proctored exams or on-campus assessments at a testing center.

Certificate Graduation Requirements

To graduate with a certificate, students must have demonstrated eligibility for ENG 101  or ENG 101A . Refer to Academic Regulations on Graduation Requirements .

Certificate Requirements: 23 credits

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

  1. Provide user training in office productivity application software, such as Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Access.
  2. Prepare business documents using advanced word processing features in a word processing application such as Microsoft Word.
  3. Develop complex workbooks using a spreadsheet application such as Microsoft Excel.
  4. Create advanced relational databases using application software such as Microsoft Access.
  5. Produce engaging presentations using slide presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint.
  6. Integrate office productivity applications to meet multi-faceted business needs.
  7. Develop technical computer information systems solutions in the workplace.

This program aligns with the college’s core competencies.

Career and Educational Advancement Resources