The Career Pathways Certificate of Completion: Administrative Assistant is a one-year certificate to prepare students for immediate employment in a variety of industries, such as health care, finance, construction, and technical services. Graduates will have obtained skills most often requested by employers, including written and oral communication, organization, customer service, problem solving, and computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Click here to learn how this Career Pathway Certificate can lead to earning an AAS Administrative Office Professional.

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 42 credit hours with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or better. All courses must be passed with a grade of ‘C’ or better. One course must be completed at Southwestern before the Career Pathway Certificate of Completion: Administrative Assistant is awarded.

Complete the graduation application process one term prior to the term of completion (e.g., spring term graduates must apply during winter term).

Pre-Program Courses

Students are required to take the following courses prior to the program courses, depending on students' college placement information. See advisor for details:

Program Guide

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program the student will be able to:

• Use computers and office equipment proficiently.
• Organize and protect information resources to meet business needs.
• Perform routine bookkeeping tasks for a small sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation, including payroll.
• Diplomatically, tactfully, and respectfully interact with diverse populations.
• Integrate use of contemporary software tools to organize and complete specialized tasks.
• Research technical issues using library, Internet, and specialized reference works.
• Demonstrate effective time management techniques.
• Model professional and ethical behaviors.