Microsoft Office Specialist

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Microsoft Office Specialist emphasizes advanced training on word processing, spreadsheet, and database software for business purposes. This certificate builds upon the knowledge and skills gained by the CCL in Microsoft Office Professional for use in various business settings. This certificate helps prepare students for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification examinations. This certificate embeds into the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in Information Technology.

Details

Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Microsoft Office Specialist (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5137
Total credits required
25-31
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: AIM, BPC, CIS, CLD, CNT, CSC, ITS, and MST.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Discuss the role of computer information systems in developing business solutions.
  2. Create macros using Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).
  3. Prepare business documents in Microsoft Word using advanced word processing features.
  4. Develop complex workbooks using Microsoft Excel.
  5. Create advanced relational databases using Microsoft Access.
  6. Produce presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  7. Manage files using the Windows Operating System.
  8. Utilize Microsoft Project to manage business projects.
  9. Integrate Microsoft applications to meet multi-faceted business needs.

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Computer and Information Systems Managers

$151,490

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

$64,820

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

$39,130

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BPC/OAS111AA Computer Keyboarding I OR Permission of Program Director 0–1
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems Critical course Gateway course OR Permission of Program Director CS 0–3
CIS113DE Microsoft Word: Word Processing 3
CIS114DE Excel Spreadsheet 3
CIS117DM Microsoft Access: Database Management 3
BPC270 or
(CIS121AE and
CIS122AE)
or
MST150++
A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support or (Windows Operating System: Level I and Windows Operating System: Level II) or Any Microsoft Windows course Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses. 2–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS118DB Desktop Presentation: PowerPoint 3
(CIS124AA and
CIS124BA)
or
CIS224
(Project Management Software: Level I and Project Management Software: Level II) or Project Management Microsoft Project for Windows Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses. 2–3
CIS213DE Advanced Microsoft Word: Word Processing 3
CIS214DE Advanced Excel Spreadsheet: Level II 3
CIS217AM Advanced Microsoft Access: Database Management 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BPC/OAS111AA Computer Keyboarding I OR Permission of Program Director 0–1
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems Critical course Gateway course OR Permission of Program Director CS 0–3
CIS113DE Microsoft Word: Word Processing 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS114DE Excel Spreadsheet 3
CIS117DM Microsoft Access: Database Management 3
BPC270 or
(CIS121AE and
CIS122AE)
or
MST150++
A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support or (Windows Operating System: Level I and Windows Operating System: Level II) or Any Microsoft Windows course Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses. 2–3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
(CIS124AA and
CIS124BA)
or
CIS224
(Project Management Software: Level I and Project Management Software: Level II) or Project Management Microsoft Project for Windows Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses. 2–3
CIS213DE Advanced Microsoft Word: Word Processing 3
CIS214DE Advanced Excel Spreadsheet: Level II 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS118DB Desktop Presentation: PowerPoint 3
CIS217AM Advanced Microsoft Access: Database Management 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184485).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.