60 Credits AS3281/AS2281, Academic Catalog 2025-2026
Resources
Learners enrolled in the Administrative Office Management Associate in Science (A.S.) Degree are prepared to manage functions in the office environment. This degree option is recommended for experienced office professionals as well as entry-level administrative professionals who are looking to increase their potential for promotion. Graduates with this degree receive training in a variety of office management functions including those in communications, information resources, and management. Learners earn half of the required credits (30) in business-related courses and the other half (30) in business-related liberal arts and sciences classes. Learners may also choose to transfer this degree to Winona State University's Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education - Teaching to prepare as a business educator or as a corporate trainer.
Campuses: Faribault and North Mankato
Program Start Semesters: Fall and Spring
Base estimate for 60 credit program
Tuition is paid on a semester by semester basis and will vary depending on the courses and total credits you take.
Tuition and Fees: $12,867
Tools and Equipment: $ n/a
Total Estimated Cost: $12,867 *
and you'll see that tuition at 色中色 is much more affordable than other institutions.
*Based on 2025-2026 tuition and fees rates. Does not include extra expenses for online delivery, course fees, or course differential. Books, transportation, and living expenses also not included.
The course requirements listed below are specific to the current school year (noted above). If you need to view the program from previous years view our Catalog Archive.
NOTE: Basic Entrance Requirement
Students must either currently have or attain the skills in OTEC 1001 Computer Software for College and OTEC 1790 Keyboarding for College before entry in the Office Administration and Technology programs.
Required Technical Courses (8 Courses)
Select the following courses:
ACCT1810 Financial Accounting (4 credits)
This course covers the fundamental accounting concepts and principles which are used in a business environment. Topics include an introduction to accounting and business, completing the accounting cycle, inventories, internal controls, receivables, cash flow statements and financial analysis. (Prerequisites: None)
ACCT1811 Managerial Accounting (4 credits)
This course focuses on current and long-term liabilities, partnerships, corporations, long-term investments, managerial accounting concepts, job costing, process costing, cost-volume-profit analysis, and capital budgeting. (Prerequisite: ACCT1810 with a grade of C or higher)
MKT1930 Human Resource Management (3 credits)
This course focuses on human resource management issues. The course covers the techniques and legal aspects of recruiting, hiring, firing, promotion, documentation, evaluation and other areas essential to the personnel function. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC1001 Computer Software for College (2 credits)
This course covers basic information about computer hardware and software and the use of computer software as a business productivity tool. Students will be given introductory training on a Windows operating system and the common business applications of word processing, spreadsheets, database, and presentation graphics. This course is designed to equip the student with knowledge of hardware and software applications. This course will cover the business application software that will be used in more advanced courses. (Prerequisites: Basic computer skills or Computer Basic class; mouse proficiency, keyboarding skill of 25 words per minute)
OTEC1820 Business English (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with comprehensive, up-to-date instruction in the correct use of English grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, abbreviations, and number usage in written business communications. Students will develop proficiency in proofreading, identifying common errors, and using reference materials to correct sentences, paragraphs, and business documents. (Prerequisite: None)
OTEC1822 Microsoft Excel (4 credits)
This course prepares students to work with Microsoft Excel in a career setting or for personal use. It begins with the introduction of concepts such as creating, editing, and formatting worksheets in a uniform, attractive style. It includes inserting formulas, creating charts, and enhancing the display of worksheets of varying complexity. The course will move on to the advanced concepts and features of formatting, using functions, analyzing numerical data, and projecting outcomes to make informed decisions. Features of protecting workbooks, using macros, using pivot tables, and customizing the Excel environment are also included. Current communication needs will be met by including hyperlinks to external information, as well as importing, exporting, and sharing date. (Prerequisite: none)
OTEC1860 Microsoft Word (4 credits)
This course is designed to build student skill at both a basic and advanced level in Microsoft Word. It begins with the introduction of concepts such as file management, entering text, editing, terminology, spelling, and printing. It continues with the basic skills students need to use the application proficiently. Once students are proficient at the basic level, the course moves on to the advanced concepts and features such as macros, merging, and tables. (Prerequisites: None)
OTEC2820 Business Communications (3 credits)
This course covers the principles of effective writing and requires students to plan, compose, and format a variety of business communications. Emphasis is on proofreading, editing, and revising communications not just to make them correct but also to make them better. Types of communications may include letters, memos, e-mail, announcements, instructions, form letters, and digital media. Specific letter or memo types may include request and response, claim and adjustment, persuasive, credit and collection, and goodwill communications. Students will learn about letter and envelope formats, international communication differences, and organizational approaches for writing correspondence. Students will learn about words to avoid, transitions, parallel structure, and the you attitude. (Prerequisite: OTEC 1820)
Select 3 credits from the following courses: (3 Credits)
ACCT1700 Personal Financial Management (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to provide insight into personal financial decision making. This includes budgeting, banking, use of credit and credit cards, renting vs. owning a home, retirement investing, investment opportunities, insurance, income taxes, wills, and effects of financial distress on one's life. In addition, we will compare income levels for various occupations. Students will examine real life situations. There will be some professional guest speakers who will share their expertise with the students. (Prerequisites: None)
MKT1810 Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
This course introduces the student to the dynamic field of marketing. The course will examine the different strategies and techniques used by business today to market their products and services to the consumer. The major emphasis will revolve around the four "P's" of marketing; product, price, place and promotion. (Prerequisite: None)
Required Arts and Sciences (4 Courses)
To complete an AS degree, students must complete 30 MNTC credits from 6 of the 10 MNTC goal areas. You are required to complete MNTC Goal 6 by taking two courses from two disciplines. The following courses are required:
ENGL100 Composition (4 credits)
Composition is concerned with developing, through theory and practice, the ability to communicate in written form for personal and professional reasons. Students will develop writing skills, analytic skills, and critical thinking skills. Students will complete readings, papers, grammar exercises, and in-class activities. Students will complete research and write a research paper. Students will learn methods of writing informatively and persuasively. (Prerequisites: Must have one of the following: (MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher) OR (READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) OR (completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) AND (completion of either ENGL 0090 or EAP 0095 with a grade of C [2.0] or higher) (MNTC 1: Communication)
COMM110 Public Speaking (3 credits)
Learners in this class develop (or improve) skills in creating, organizing, supporting, and delivering both informative and persuasive messages to peer audiences. Through this course, students will develop arguments and practice academic research skills in order to adequately support their messages and develop credibility and professionalism. Learners will practice critical thinking and listening skills, support fellow students while delivering impromptu and extemporaneous speeches, and provide peer feedback to ideas and speech development. This course stresses building confidence as public communicators so students may speak effectively at work, in their communities, and as citizens in a democracy. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher) (MNTC: Goal areas 1 and 9).
ECON110 Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)
Macroeconomics is the study of issues that affect whole economies including economic growth, employment levels, management of the money supply, international trade, and economic instability. The course will examine tools governments can use to stabilize and grow economies, as well as controversies surrounding their use. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) This class satisfies MnTC Goal Area 5 (History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences) and MnTC Goal Area 9 (Ethical and Civic Responsibility).
ECON120 Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
Microeconomics is the study of how people, businesses, governments, and other institutions make economic decisions. Topics include market price determination, income determination, resource allocation, and impacts of government policies. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) This course satisfies MnTC Goal Area 5 (Hist/Soc/Behav Science) and Goal Area 2 (Critical Thinking).
Additional Required Arts and Sciences: (1 Course)
Choose one course from the following list of MNTC Goal Area 3 courses:
BIOL100 Introduction to Biology (4 credits)
Introduction to Biology familiarizes students with fundamental biological principles and processes occurring within our natural world. This course engages students in the methodology and practice of scientific investigation, and emphasizes molecular and cellular processes, systems of the human body, and human impact on the environment. Discussions of organisms are framed by the sciences of ecology and evolution with a focus on the relationship between biological structure and function. Lecture and a 2 hour lab are included. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences)
OR
BIOL101 Introduction to Ecology (4 credits)
Introduction to Ecology introduces the student to fundamental principles of ecology while focusing on interactions occurring at all of its levels. Students will become familiar with interrelationships between biotic and abiotic components of the natural world, investigate population, community, and ecosystem structures and dynamics, and gain knowledge of human impact on the environment. Lecture and a 3 hour lab are included. (Prerequisites: Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher, or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher.) (MNTC 3, 10: Natural Sciences, People and the Environment)
OR
CHEM108 Introduction to Chemistry (4 credits)
A one-semester introduction to the field of chemistry, this course is designed to allow the student to understand how chemistry relates to everyday life and to learn some of the language and concepts of chemistry related to applied health. This course uses a math-based approach. (Prerequisite: [Must have a Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading score of 250 or higher or Classic Accuplacer Reading score of 78 or higher, or ACT Reading score of 21 or higher or MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher or completion of either READ 0090 or EAP 0090 or READ 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher] AND [have a Next-Generation Accuplacer AAF score of 250 or higher or (Classic Accuplacer Arithmetic score of 56 or higher and Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 76 or higher) or completion of either MATH 0085 or MATH 0095 with a grade of C (2.0) or higher or ACT Math score of 19 or higher or MCA Math score of 1158 or higher.] (MNTC 3: Natural Sciences)
Additional required MNTC Goal Area 5 course: (1 Course)
Choose 1 additional History or Social Science course not in ECON.
Additional required MATH Course (1 Course)
Choose one course from the following list:
MATH120 College Algebra (4 credits)
College algebra studies functions and their applications. This course focuses on linear functions, quadratic functions, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and related equations, inequalities, and graphs. Additional topics include inverse functions, systems of equations and inequalities, matrices, sequences and series, and the Binomial Theorem. MATH 120 satisfies the MNTC Category 4 Mathematical/Logical Reasoning requirement. (Prerequisites: Corequisite enrollment in MATH 0098 OR Completion of MATH 0098 OR MATH 0085 OR MATH 0095 with a grade of C or higher OR Accuplacer score of 56+ in Arithmetic and 76+ in Elementary Algebra and 50+ in College Math OR Next Gen Accuplacer score 250-300 AAF OR ACT Math score 22-36 OR MCA score 1158-1164)
OR
MATH130 Pre-Calculus (4 credits)
This is an accelerated course covering many topics from both College Algebra and Trigonometry. These include functions, graphs of functions, analytic geometry of the conic sections, systems of equations and inequalities, elementary matrix operations and determinants, properties and applications of exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, complex numbers, vectors, polar coordinates and elementary combinatorics. Should not be taken for credit in addition to either MATH 120 or MATH 125. (Prerequisites: Next-Generation Accuplacer AAF score of 250 or higher or Classic Accuplacer College Math score of 86 or higher, or ACT Math score of 23 or higher.) (MNTC 4: Mathematical/Logical Reasoning)
OR
MATH154 Elementary Statistics (4 credits)
This course introduces the essential mathematical elements of statistics, applying them to a broad range of areas, including business, economics, and the physical, biological and social sciences. Topics include measures of central tendency and dispersion, variability, graphical displays, normal and t-distributions, hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, estimation, linear regression, correlation, and other selected statistical topics. Math 154 satisfies the MNTC Category 4 Mathematical/Logical Reasoning requirement. (Prerequisite: Corequisite enrollment in MATH 0099, OR Completion of MATH 0099 OR MATH 0085 OR MATH 0095 with a grade of C or higher, OR NextGen score of 250-300 QAS, OR ACT score of 19+, OR MCA score of 1148+, OR an Accuplacer test score of 56 or above in Arithmetic AND a score of 76 or above in Elementary Algebra)
Additional required MNTC Goal 6 Courses
Choose TWO courses from TWO different disciplines in MNTC Goal 6.
PLEASE NOTE: All program plans are preliminary and curriculum may change without notice. Your catalog of record may have different requirements.
