Computer Software Applications Specialist - Associate in Science

Computer Software ApplicationsThe focal point of this program is to prepare students for the Core and Expert skills required for the Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) certification. MOUS certification is a globally-recognized standard for validating expertise with the Microsoft Office suite of business productivity applications. The benefits of MOUS certification include: (1) increased productivity at work, (2) greater earning potential, and (3) more employment opportunities in the job market. Earning MOUS certification acknowledges that students have the expertise to work with Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Springfield Technical Community College is a recognized testing site for MOUS certification.

Students must place in ENGL-100, college-level reading, and MATH-100 (or be exempt) before enrolling in any information technology course.

Computer Software Applications Specialist Program Goals

The Computer Software Applications Specialist program will produce graduates who:

  1. Have a mastery of the Microsoft Office suite of business productivity programs (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software).
  2. Master the skills necessary to produce professional looking documents utilizing software application (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and presentation software).
  3. Are prepared with the specialist skills required for the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
  4. Demonstrate keyboarding speed and accuracy with a minimum touch keyboarding rate of 40 words per minute on a three-minute timed writing with 95% accuracy.
  5. Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
  6. Conduct research from a variety of sources.
  7. Demonstrate computer literacy.

(CSAS.AS) Curriculum
Semester 1
No. Course Title Credits
CMPA-116 DATA ENTRY KEYBOARD 3
CMPA-160 COMPUTER BASICS: CONCEPTS AND APPLICATIONS 3
OFFS-105 COMMUNICATIONS/EDITING 3
ENGL-100 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3
ELMAT GENERAL MATH ELECTIVE 3
Total: 15
Semester 2
No. Course Title Credits
CMPA-102 WORD PROCESSING 3
CMPA-107    
CMPA-121 POWERPOINT APPLICATIONS 2
OFFS-210 COMMUNICATIONS/EDITING 2 3
ENGL-200 ENGLISH COMPOSITION 2: AN INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE 3
PROG-109 INFORMATION SYSTEMS FUNDAMENTALS 3
Total: 14
Semester 3
No. Course Title Credits
CMPA-109 EXCEL 3
CMPA-111 ACCESS 3
CMPA-202 ADVANCED WORD PROCESSING 3
ENGL-203 FUNDAMENTALS OF ORAL COMMUNICATION 3
ENGL-202 TECHNICAL REPORT WRITING 3
Total: 15
Semester 4
No. Course Title Credits
CMPA-240 EXCEL/ACCESS APPLICATIONS 3
PROG-313 WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEMS 3
PSYC-100 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (or) 3
SOCL-100 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY 3
ELSBIT SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ELECTIVE (Note 1) 3
ELGED GENERAL EDUCATION ELECTIVE 3
Total: 15

Note 1: Suggested Electives:

OFFS-216 Administrative/Management Communications

OFFS-497 Office Information Technology Cooperative Education

SMBE-125 Introduction to Entrepreneurship

Students having certain professional IT certifications may be able to receive college credit for one or more courses in this program. For information, please see http://www.stcc.edu/academics/itcert.asp and your academic advisor.

Upon successful completion of the requirements for this program, the degree of Associate in Science in Office Information Technologies will be awarded.


Department Personnel
Name Title Office Ext Email
Linda Belton Professor / Dept Chair, Office Information Technology / Interim Chair, Geographical Information Technologies 02/214A 4105 belton
Carole Farley Professor 02/237 4115 cfarley
M. Andree Fitzgerald Professor 02/235 4113 afitzgerald
Jo-Ann Nicoli Professor 02/231 4124 jnicoli