Required Courses
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Program Description
By developing skills in typing, word processing, spreadsheet applications, dictation and transcription, the Administrative Office Technology graduate can provide a service necessary to the efficient operation of every business, industry and agency.
Actual work experience gained in an area business or industry gives the student an opportunity to assume on-the-job responsibilities even before graduation. Instruction in office procedures, communication applications, telephone training, information processing, accounting and other business skills gives the graduate the ability to exercise good judgment, work independently and take full responsibility for handling the details of office administration.
The required general education classes develop communication and math skills and other professional qualities necessary for the smooth operation of a modern business office.
During this two-year course of study, students choose electives in the field of work in which they are most interested. The student may choose a legal, medical, accounting, medical coding/billing or Spanish concentration. All concentrations except for medical coding/billing are offered in a totally online format.
Students who plan to enroll in the medical coding/billing concentration are required to have both a criminal background check and a random drug screen. These are conducted by an outside agency at the student's expense.The current fee for the criminal background check is $43, and the drug screen fee is $35.
As required by the clinical and field placement agencies students in the medical coding/billing concentration are required to have a criminal background check. These are conducted by an outside agency at the student’s expense.
Pending criminal charges or conviction of any of the following crimes will make the medical coding/billing student ineligible for enrollment or participation in clinical/field placement courses:
- Crimes of violence (murder, manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, crimes involving the use of deadly force, simple assault, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, assault and battery with intent to kill, criminal domestic violence).
- Crimes occurring within seven years of the application date involving the distribution or use of illegal drugs.
- Crimes occurring within seven years of the application date that involve moral turpitude, breach of trust and identity theft.
Drug Screening
The drug screen will be done on an unannounced basis after classes begin but before clinical assignments. Prescription medications may be validated by submission of a pharmacy printout of prescribed medications. The 10-panel urine drug screen will test for:
- Cocaine
- Marijuana
- Opiates/Morphine
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamines
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Benzodiazepines (inhalants)
- Barbituates
- Methadone
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
Failure to provide the required urine sample or a test that is positive for any of the identified drug categories will result in immediate dismissal from any curriculum that requires a clinical/field placement component.
If a student tests positive and believes the results to be in error, they may request laboratory analysis or a re-test. Laboratory analysis or re-test will be at the expense of the student.
The results of the criminal background check and the drug screen will be available for review by designated personnel in each clinical/field placement agency. The agency has the right to refuse admission for
clinical/field placement based on student background checks and drug screens.
Contact Information:
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(864) 941-8746
Advisement Information
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Beginning with fall 2008, all OST prefixes became AOT. All course numbers remained the same.
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Complete developmental course work first. AOT 105 may be taken at the same time.
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Exemptions are possible for AOT 105.
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Students must choose one of the five options: AOA3 (Accounting), AOB3 (Medical Coding and Billing), AOL3 (Legal) AOM3 (Medical), or AOS3 (Spanish).
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It is recommended that students have keyboarding skills or take AOT 105 before taking CPT 101 or any other software programs.
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When advising for SPA 101 in the AOS option, recommend that students successfully complete ENG 101 or ENG 165 (or have demonstrated competency in English language skills) before attempting SPA 101.
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Many AOT courses may be taken online or in the traditional format. Keyboarding and computer literacy are strongly recommended.
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Guidelines for advising for online sections:
- Students in CPT 101 need to purchase MyItLab (assessment software). If students have purchased a CPT 101 book that MyItLab is packaged with, they do not have to purchase the software again since it can be used over and over.
- Computer and software needs for online courses:
AOT 105: Students need a PC at home equipped with Word
AOT 134: Students should have a computer or access to one
CPT 101: Students need EXCEL, WORD, ACCESS, and POWERPOINT
CPT 272: Students need ACCESS
CPT 274: Students need EXCEL
AOT 165: Students need WORD
IST 281: Students need POWERPOINT
ENG 101 & 102 substitute for ENG 165 & ENG 101.
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Areas of Study 
