Office Support Specialist

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Office Support Specialist

Technical Diploma

29 Credits | 1 Year

Online Financial Aid-Eligible

Ashland*, New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*, Online

Outreach Centers: Balsam Lake*, Hayward*, Ladysmith*

*Combination of Online, Your Choice or On Site instruction. Select courses are available at the Northwood Tech Outreach Centers. Please contact your local campus for specifics.

Career Cluster: Business Management

This program will be modified for the 2024-2025 academic year pending advisory committee and WTCS approval. Please contact an Admissions Advisor if interested or have questions.

The Office Support Specialist diploma prepares you to be successful in a variety of office settings whether in health, education, business, for-profit, non-profit, industry or other. You will develop your software knowledge, customer service skills, and interpersonal communications in order to support the functions of your organization. This foundation prepares you for several career opportunities and places you at a half-way milestone to your achieving an Administrative Coordinator associate degree. 

Program Overview

The Office Support Specialist program allows you to earn your degree and maintain a life/work balance with part-time schedules and flexible ways to attend class (Your Choice delivery mode). You can ‘learn a living’ and earn your degree pretty much anytime, anywhere that fits your schedule. Once you have your Northwood Tech diploma, you can combine it with work experience and further your education to advance into positions with higher responsibility.

Program Outcomes

Office Support Specialist graduates will be able to:

  • Perform accurate workplace communications
  • Use technology skills for business tasks
  • Perform routine office procedures
  • Demonstrate professionalism and effective workplace relationships
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Perhaps you are already working in an office setting. Earning your Office Support Specialist diploma will give you the opportunity to learn more tips and tricks about the technologies you most likely already use AND provide you with documentation needed to pursue bigger projects or promotions within your company.

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Open new doors.

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Advance your skills.

Hands typing on a LAPTOP

Accommodates your schedule. 


Academics

Office Support Specialist instructors use a differentiated approach to teaching, keeping YOU in mind when developing lesson plans, workbook exercises, lectures, projects and other interactive learning activities. 

Office Support Specialist classes are offered on all campuses (Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior), Online, and outreach centers: Balsam Lake, Hayward, Ladysmith. Conveniently take classes in a way that fits your lifestyle: Online, Your Choice, or On Site.

Flexibility

You can attend Office Support Specialist classes through multiple instructional options including Online, Your Choice, or On Site.

Technology

You will use a variety of technologies including various software packages, training apps, social media, virtual meetings, and more.

Employability Essentials

You will be ready to meet employer expectations in the areas of personal awareness, technical savvy, teamwork and professionalism.


Required Courses

The program's required courses will prepare you for a career as an office support specialist.  Embedded within the diploma are two milestone diplomas that build your confidence and increase your skills along the way. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured Office Support Specialist Courses

10103184
|
UGRD
| 2 CR
This is the second course in a sequence that develops advanced skills in the use of Microsoft Office Word features to efficiently and effectively produce business documents. Students will apply Microsoft Word skills to solve practical problems in a project-based format. Explore best practices in document layout, collaboration, tables, mail merge, desktop publishing, themes, templates, forms, sort, styles, references, captions, and macros. Recommended computer foundations: Windows competency, including solid file management skills; ability to key 30 WPM. This course will use Microsoft Office 2019 or Office 365. COREQUISITE: 10103146 MS Word A
10106139
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course is designed to develop professional skills and attitudes needed in today’s global business environment. Topics include making ethical decisions, working independently and as a team member, and managing time. Telecommunications, mail processing, travel arrangements and conferences, public relations, and ergonomics will be included. Previous word processing and proofreading experience is recommended. PREREQUISITE: 10106110 Document Formatting and 10106146 Proofreading for the Office.
10106146
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This course will focus on document formatting requirements for a variety of business documents and correspondence. Students will learn file management, document sharing, and collaborative document editing. Emphasis will be placed on proofreading, proper grammar, mechanics, keying speeds and accuracy. This project-based course uses individual and group activities.

Office Support Specialist is Part of a Career Pathway

As an Office Support Specialist student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!

 

You could take this first and get a credential.

Technical Diploma
29 Credits / 1 Year Full Time; Part Time Options Available
Potential Careers
Office Support Specialist, Receptionist / Secretary, Data Entry Operator, Customer Service Representative
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Technical Diploma
19 Credits / Less Than 1 Year Part Time
Potential Careers
Customer Service Representative, Receptionist / Office Assistant
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Technical Diploma
11 Credits / Less Than One Year Part Time
Potential Careers
Document Specialist, Program Assistant
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Continue your education to earn an associate degree. 

Associate Degree
60 credits
Potential Careers
Administrative Coordinator, Administrative Professional, Executive Assistant, Office Manager, Virtual Assistant
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Continue your education to earn your bachelor's degree.


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

Office Support Specialist

29 Credits | 1 Year

$4,770


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech Office Support Specialist Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn a technical diploma in Office Support Specialist. Continue your education at Northwood Tech in the Administrative Coordinator associate degree.

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Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

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Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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Are you ready to experience success? Northwood Tech staff are standing by to support you in reaching your educational and career goals, so do it. Take the leap.