Computer Applications and Office Technology (CAOT) Department is part of Career and Technical Education (CTE) Stackable Credentials. Stackable Credentials allows you to follow the online program course sequence for the A.A.S degree program.
Below are links to the program guidelines for each program offered in the Computer Applications and Office Technology (CAOT) Department. For more information about a particular program, please contact the coordinator for that program.
Administrative Programs Coordinator/Advisor: Tacey Baskett tlbaskett@nic.edu
CTE has Six Stackable Credentials
Basic Technical Certificate
The Computer Applications certificate program provides comprehensive training in the latest Microsoft Office software. This certificate is designed for anyone who desires to work with computers and/or advance their computer software skills. The coursework prepares students for Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) industry certification testing. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue MOS (Microsoft Office Specialist) Certification as part of this program.
Pick eight (8) of the following SIMnet courses:
• CAOT-140: Database/Access 1*
• CAOT-115: Outlook
• CAOT-120: Word Processing / Word I
• CAOT-121: Word Processing / Word II
• CAOT-122: Word Processing / Word III
• CAOT-130: Spreadsheets / Excel I
• CAOT-131: Spreadsheets / Excel II
• CAOT-132: Spreadsheets / Excel III
• CAOT-150: PowerPoint
• CAOT-164: Computer Fundamentals for Tech
• CAOT-166: Living Online for Tech Programs
Basic Technical Certificate
This certificate program is designed for individuals who desire to update or attain new office skills by completing a combination of required and elective courses that reflect their own personal career needs.
• CAOT-140 (Prerequisite)
• CAOT-184: Records Systems Management
• CAOT-210: Office Procedures
Plus, pick two (2) of the following elective credits:
• Any ACCT Course
• Any BUSA Course
• Any remaining SIMnet course(s) in Computer Applications (BTC)
Intermediate Technical Certificate
The Office Specialist/Receptionist program provides coursework required for an intermediate technical certificate that prepares students for entry-level career positions in today's offices.
Students who complete this program earn an intermediate technical certificate and will have the foundation to earn an advanced certificate. Students develop skills to enhance their opportunities for employment including interpersonal skills telephone skills and customer relations skills. Students also become proficient using up-to-date computer applications including word processing spreadsheets databases and presentation software.
BLDR-120: Financial Business Applications
• CAOT-183: Business Editing and Proofreading
• CAOT-205: Business Document Formatting / Transcription
• CAOT-220: Administrative Support Internship I
Intermediate Technical Certificate
The Virtual Administrative Assistant certificate is designed for students to develop administrative support skills that can be delivered virtually. These skills include in-depth computer applications emerging office technology transcription and other general clerical skills. Graduates of this program have opportunities to work as employees who telecommute or are independent contractors providing much-needed administrative support skills to a wide variety of organizations.
• BUSA-101: Introduction to Business
Intermediate Technical Certificate
The Office Technology program allows students to design an Office Technology intermediate technical certificate by completing courses from the Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Applications and Office Technology, and Paralegal programs.
- Office Technology Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC)
- COMM-101: Intro to Speech Communication
- ENGL-101: English Composition
- MCTE-101: Technical Mathematics (or higher)
Associate of Applied Science
The Administrative Office Management Technology program combines a well-balanced academic program with expert administrative and computer instruction, giving a student the diversified educational training and background needed to hold a position of responsibility and importance in many areas of the business world.
This program helps raise the administrative skills of the student to a professional level, gives the student a technical background through completion of technical skill courses, innovative office technology experience and includes an academic component that provides the student with a mature understanding of professional responsibilities and workplace readiness skills in our global economy. Program graduates have a variety of options in offices of their interest such as travel, sports or entertainment; banking, insurance, construction and engineering, real estate; technical, government, or foreign service; public, private, or temporary agencies.
• ACCT-101: Small Business Accounting - or - ACCT-201: Principles of Marketing
• ACCT-150: 10-Key Skill Building
• BUSA-221: Principles of Marketing
• CAOT-204: Career Leadership
• GEM 3 A.A.S. Mathematical Ways of Knowing
• GEM 6 A.A.S. Behavioral Ways of Knowing
• Any remaining SIMnet course(s) in Computer Applications (BTC)
Plus, pick two (2) of the following courses (6 credits):
• BLDR-105: Customer Service 3
• BLDR-110: Supervisory Management 3
• BLDR-132: Employee Benefits & Compensation 3
• BMGT-256: Problem Solving / Team Dynamics 3
• BUSA-211: Principles of Management 3
• ENTP-105: Entrepreneurship Skills 3
Medical Administrative Programs
- Health Information Fundamentals Intermediate Technical Certificate program is designed for those who wish to continue their education with Idaho State University (ISU) and earn an associate of applied science degree in Health Information Technology.
- Medical Administrative Assistant AAS Degree for those who have always been interested in the medical field but find their strengths lie in clerical administration, a career as a medical administrative assistant could be the perfect choice.
- Medical Billing Specialist AAS Degree is designed to prepare individuals for entry-level positions processing and managing third-party reimbursement and managing patient accounts receivables in a variety of health care settings.
- Medical Receptionist Intermediate Technical Certificate holds a key position in the medical office in greeting patients, scheduling appointments, processing patient information, managing the reception desk, and assisting with other administrative responsibilities.
Paralegal Program
- Paralegal AAS Degree program provides coursework required for an Associate of Applied Science Degree that leads to positions in legal environments.