Office Professional Certificate Program

Certificate Program

Please Visit the: International Education Center At Diablo Valley College

DVC’s Business Administration Department offers a wide selection of high-quality business courses throughout the year. Its dedicated faculty and helpful staff are committed to helping students meet their business education goals. The expert faculty include business educators, practitioners, small-business owners, attorneys, technical writers, consultants, CPAs, human resource specialists, corporate executives, and other professionals.

How long will it take to earn a certificate?

It generally takes students two to four terms to earn a certificate of achievement depending on how courses are sequenced and how often courses are offered. Students are encouraged to work with an office professional faculty advisor or a DVC counselor for help with an educational plan.

What are the requirements for earning an office professional certificate?

To earn the certificate of achievement students must:

• complete each required course with a “C” grade or higher
• complete at least 25 percent of all coursework at Diablo Valley College.

Many courses are transferable to the California State University system and many other four-year institutions. Courses may also be applied toward the elective requirements for an associate degree.

What is the office professional program?

Diablo Valley College’s office professional program helps students build technical skills and “soft” skills that are important in an office environment, such as punctuality, responsibility, time management, organizational skills, work ethics, teamwork and positive work attitude. The program is offered through the DVC Business Division and approved by the Mt. Diablo Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

This program prepares students for a wide variety of entry-level office support positions. Required courses will prepare students to perform well in any office environment. Elective courses will allow pursuit of areas of specialization, such as legal, medical, accounting, marketing or management.

Why study to be an office professional?

Students who are well-organized and detail-oriented will enjoy working in an office environment. Being a team player is also an important key to success as an office professional. Today’s businesses require competent, professional office support personnel. Demand for professional office support personnel in the business environment is always high. The number of openings varies by geographic location. Students who are willing to commute and are flexible with salary requirements will find even more opportunities. Completing the office professional certificate program prepares students for a variety of positions including:

• office receptionist
• administrative assistant
• data entry clerk
• account clerk
• medical secretary
• legal secretary
• virtual assistant

What can a student gain by enrolling in the office professional program at DVC?

As a student in the office professional program students develop skills in:

• computer literacy (integrating MS Office applications for decision making purposes
• keyboarding and ten-key with speed and accuracy
• business math
• business English
• business communications
• applied accounting
• records management
• office procedures
• professional ethics

Students enrolled in the office professional certificate program have the opportunity to conduct informational interviews and shadow office professionals in their prospective fields.

What can I do with an office professional certificate?

Students can build a career as an administrative professional. Students can also enter an entry-level job as a stepping-stone to accomplish other goals, such as a four-year degree or professional certification such as a certified public secretary (CPS), a certified administrative professional (CAP) or a certified public accountant (CPA).

In the San Francisco area, administrative assistants can earn median total entry level pay packages in the neighborhood of $35,000 to $45,000. Managers earn a higher median wage. Many courses are transferable to the California State University system and many other four-year institutions. Courses may also be applied toward the elective requirements for an associate in arts degree.

When and where are classes offered?

Students can choose from day, evening, weekend, short-term, summer, and flexible online classes. Take then at our convenient campus locations in Pleasant Hill and San Ramon. Online classes offer the flexibility to participate from almost anywhere and at anytime.