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
Academic Plan Code
5137
Total credits required
25 - 31
Catalog Year
2026 - 2027

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
  1. Discuss the role of computer information systems in developing business solutions.
  2. Create macros using Visual Basic for Applications
  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.
Career Statistics

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 wages* for this certificate. 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. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
$40,150

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

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 Degree Progress Report 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.

Official Curriculum Documentation
View catalog page
Catalog page: https://cgc.catalog.maricopa.edu/programs/5137-CGC08
Disclaimer

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Microsoft Office Specialist