Computer Applications & Office Technology (AS)

Student Showing his Degree

Program Overview:

Be the Backbone of Your Company

Keep an important project running on task and on budget with your keen organization skills and knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access. Create a compelling PowerPoint presentation introducing a new product for your bosses’ big meeting. Work from home, a coffee shop or by the beach with your own virtual bookkeeping business.

Being savvy with the top computer applications will open the doors to a variety of careers. With LASC’s Computer Applications and Office Technology program, you’ll learn how to navigate the Microsoft Office suite to create spreadsheets, presentations, documents, and more, while building your office skills in human resources and personnel management.

Contact
Dean/Chairperson
Dr. Allison Moore
Phone
(323) 241-5387
Email
@email
Office Location
School of Career & Technical Education, Room 235
Office Hours
Mondays to Fridays: 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Department
Business

Pathway
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

Careers in Computer Applications and Office Technology

A majority of today’s jobs are technology-focused, or at a minimum require some understanding of business technology. The skills you learn in LASC’s Computer Applications and Office Technology program can be applied in a variety of industries to give you a head start over the competition.

Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a Computer applications and Office Technology degree:

Career information below taken from bls.gov February 2020. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.

Use computer software to design page layouts for items that are printed or published online.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
Associate Degree $57,960/year $27.87/hr
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: The number of Jobs 2018:
None needed 5% increase
(as fast as average)
430

Perform routine clerical duties, maintain records, collect data, and provide information to customers.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
High school or equivalent $30,880/year $14.85/hr
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: The number of Jobs 2018:
None needed 5% increase
(as fast as average)
41,050

Perform routine clerical and administrative duties.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
High school or equivalent $42,250/year $20.31/hr
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: The number of Jobs 2018:
None needed 6% increase
(as fast as average)
92,170

Produce financial records for organizations and check financial records for accuracy.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
Some College $47,220/year $22.70/hour
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: The number of Jobs 2018:
None needed 7% increase
(as fast as average)
73,990

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
Bachelor's Degree $129,250/year $62.14/hr
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: The number of Jobs 2018:
5 years or less 5% increase
(as fast as average)
600

What You’ll Learn at LASC in Computer Applications and Office Technologies

You can get Associate in Science (AS) and Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts degrees through LASC’s Computer Applications and Office Technologies program where you will sharpen your writing of business letters, design newsletters, and compare and contrast web browsers while establishing real-world connections to launch your career:

  • Learn how culture, society, economic systems, legal, international, political, financial institutions, and human behavior interact to affect a business organization’s policy and practices within the U.S. and global society to prepare you for a career in any business field.
  • Improve your skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook to design, create, and edit word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases, and presentations to be able to expertly handle whatever your company needs.
  • Increase your typing speed to keep up with business demands and new technology. You’ll be able to knock out emails, business letters, and reports quickly and efficiently.
  • LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
  • Want to transfer? You can save money on your first two years of college learning from intelligent, dedicated faculty before transferring to a four-year university. Meet with your academic counselor for more information.

Degrees & Courses You Will Take

Review the LASC Associate in Science (AS) and the Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts (AA) degrees in Computer Applications and Office Technologies below, along with our suggested course of study for these programs. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:

Major Code: 514.00
Total Units Required: 60

Upon successfully completing this program, you should be able to:

  • Create and demonstrate PowerPoint presentations as well as a chart to depict data graphically.
  • Write a business letter using a standard business format including 7 basic elements and design a newsletter.
  • Compare and contrast web browsers and identify web domains.
Required Courses: Units
CAOT 31 Business English 3
CAOT 32 Business Communications 3
CAOT 33 Records Management and Filing 3
CAOT 43 Office Procedures 3
CAOT 47 Applied Office Practice 2
CAOT 82 Microcomputer Software Survey in the Office 3
CAOT 84 Microcomputer Office Applications: Word Processing 3
CAOT 85 Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet 3
MGMT 31 Human Relations for Employees 3

TOTAL UNITS

23

Recommended Electives: Units
BUS 1 Introduction to Business 3
BUS 5 Business Law 3
BUS 38 Business Computations 3
CAOT 1 Computer Keyboarding I 3
CAOT 2 Computer Keyboarding II 3
CAOT 34 Business Terminology 3
MGMT 33 Personnel Management 3

Major Code: 702.10
Total Units Required: 60

Once you complete this program, you will be able to:

  • Write a business letter using a standard business format including 7 basic elements and design a newsletter.
  • Create and demonstrate a PowerPoint presentation as well as a chart to depict data graphically.
Core Courses (Choose and complete 18 units): Units
CAOT 2 Computer Keyboarding II 3
CAOT 31 Business English 3
OR  
CAOT 32 Business Communications 3
CAOT 43 Office Procedures 3
CAOT 82 Microcomputer Software Survey in the Office 3
CAOT 84 Microcomputer Office Applications: Word Processing 3
CAOT 85 Microcomputer Office Applications: Spreadsheet 3
TOTAL UNITS 18

Get Ready Before You Start

Interested in a career in business? Before your first class starts at LASC, you can begin preparing for your career:

  • Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, develop your Student Education Plan (SEP), and make sure to discuss your academic and career goals so they can direct you to all LASC has to offer you!
  • Still in high school? Enroll in a basic computer skills course or typing class to be comfortable typing at a consistent speed. Check with local businesses to see if they are hiring a part-time receptionist or data-entry associate to gain valuable office experience.

Program Learning Outcomes 

Girl with Glasses Sitting at Class with Laptop