General Office Expert Certificate

Master office processes & software

Boost your personal marketability with this 15-hour Office Professional certificate from College of Lake County. In just five classes, you learn to manage complicated office environments while also developing skills in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Upon completion, you’re ready to be a vital member of any office team.

What can you do with an Office Professional Certificate?

You’re a vital member of the team keeping a busy operation moving forward. You can succeed in roles such as:

administrative assistant
office manager
business analyst

Highlights

Career Certificate

Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning a certificate.
Program Length: 1 Year

Finish in 1 year as a full-time student.
WIOA Program

Become eligible for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)-awarded vouchers.

*Estimated cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours for full-time students for academic year 2025-2026. This includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees, before financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials, and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Career Outlook

Compile, compute, and record billing, accounting, statistical, and other numerical data for billing purposes. Prepare billing invoices for services rendered or for delivery or shipment of goods.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $38,927
  
  Median
  
  $50,309
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $70,578
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.71
  
  Median
  
  $24.18
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $33.93
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  20.7%
  
  Certificate
  
  16.61%
  
  Some college
  
  51.49%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  9.24%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  1.96%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $36,953
  
  Median
  
  $51,863
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $77,800
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.76
  
  Median
  
  $24.93
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $37.40
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  47.24%
  
  Certificate
  
  20.79%
  
  Some college
  
  4.72%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  8.54%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  12.19%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  6.52%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $36,409
  
  Median
  
  $47,564
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $58,209
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.50
  
  Median
  
  $22.87
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $27.98
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  42.91%
  
  Some college
  
  17.41%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  28.07%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  11.61%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $32,393
  
  Median
  
  $38,595
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $63,178
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $15.57
  
  Median
  
  $18.55
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $30.37
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  56.64%
  
  Certificate
  
  0.43%
  
  Some college
  
  13.21%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  9.47%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  20.25%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Perform clerical duties for courts of law, municipalities, or governmental licensing agencies and bureaus. May prepare docket of cases to be called; secure information for judges and court; prepare draft agendas or bylaws for town or city council; answer official correspondence; keep fiscal records and accounts; issue licenses or permits; and record data, administer tests, or collect fees.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $37,421
  
  Median
  
  $51,740
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $88,491
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $17.98
  
  Median
  
  $24.87
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $42.53
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  52.49%
  
  Certificate
  
  2.44%
  
  Some college
  
  17.69%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.12%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  10.86%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  3.4%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $34,966
  
  Median
  
  $48,330
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $73,010
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $16.81
  
  Median
  
  $23.23
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $35.10
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  54.76%
  
  Some college
  
  17.36%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.67%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  14.22%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $30,041
  
  Median
  
  $41,946
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $63,788
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $14.44
  
  Median
  
  $20.16
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $30.66
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  58.68%
  
  Some college
  
  30.18%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  11.14%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options and degree requirements, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits
ENG 121	ENG 121 English Composition I Class Description This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.	3
AMT 213	AMT 213 Advanced Word Processing Using Microsoft Word Class Description In this course, students will learn advanced features of Microsoft Word software. Topics to be covered include managing documents and templates; preparing documents for collaboration; managing language options; finding/replacing/pasting document content; setting paragraph layout options; creating and managing styles, building blocks, custom design elements, indexes, table of figures, forms, and macros; and performing mail merges.	3
AMT 217	AMT 217 Advanced Spreadsheets Using Microsoft Excel Class Description In this course, students will learn some advanced features of Microsoft Excel software. Topics covered include working with custom Excel business templates, creating advanced charts, working with data analysis tools, creating PivotTables and PivotCharts, creating and editing macros, and working with Logical functions.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ENG 121
Course Title	ENG 121 English Composition I Class Description This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	AMT 213
Course Title	AMT 213 Advanced Word Processing Using Microsoft Word Class Description In this course, students will learn advanced features of Microsoft Word software. Topics to be covered include managing documents and templates; preparing documents for collaboration; managing language options; finding/replacing/pasting document content; setting paragraph layout options; creating and managing styles, building blocks, custom design elements, indexes, table of figures, forms, and macros; and performing mail merges.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	AMT 217
Course Title	AMT 217 Advanced Spreadsheets Using Microsoft Excel Class Description In this course, students will learn some advanced features of Microsoft Excel software. Topics covered include working with custom Excel business templates, creating advanced charts, working with data analysis tools, creating PivotTables and PivotCharts, creating and editing macros, and working with Logical functions.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
AMT 216	AMT 216 Integrated Application Projects Class Description This course will introduce students to integrated projects required in a business environment. Students will use the components of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook) and the Internet. This is a capstone course that requires the integration of previously learned skills.	3
AMT 116	AMT 116 Administrative Office Procedures Class Description This course will prepare students for the role of the administrative professional in a wide variety of industries. Topics to be covered include defining the administrative professional, understanding organizational structures, developing and strengthening problem-solving skills, understanding a global and culturally diverse workforce, and analyzing the opportunities for the administrative role as a job, career, and profession. Also covered will be strategies for managing the day-to-day operations of the office, effective organization and time management, planning and coordinating meetings and events, making travel arrangements, and being a strategic business partner.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	AMT 216
Course Title	AMT 216 Integrated Application Projects Class Description This course will introduce students to integrated projects required in a business environment. Students will use the components of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook) and the Internet. This is a capstone course that requires the integration of previously learned skills.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	AMT 116
Course Title	AMT 116 Administrative Office Procedures Class Description This course will prepare students for the role of the administrative professional in a wide variety of industries. Topics to be covered include defining the administrative professional, understanding organizational structures, developing and strengthening problem-solving skills, understanding a global and culturally diverse workforce, and analyzing the opportunities for the administrative role as a job, career, and profession. Also covered will be strategies for managing the day-to-day operations of the office, effective organization and time management, planning and coordinating meetings and events, making travel arrangements, and being a strategic business partner.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

15

Administrative Management and Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

A certificate is just one possible way to study Administrative Management and Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials, and extra options.

View the Administrative Management and Technology program overview

Frequently asked questions

You learn practical skills to help you manage a busy workplace. Classes focus on Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, PowerPoint and Word) while helping you develop vital verbal and written communication skills.
With the solid education and skills foundation built through this program, the sky’s the limit. You can excel at jobs like administrative assistant or office manager. You may even decide to continue your education and pursue a 2-year (associate) degree followed by a 4-year (bachelor’s) degree. With additional education and on-the-job training, you’re ready to move up the management ladder.
Your instructors are there for you each step of the way. You learn in small class sizes, which allows you to connect with your classmates and instructors in engaging and rewarding ways. You can use those connections to find jobs and build a robust professional network.
This program is not offered in an online format. Some courses are offered online in certain semesters. The schedule and delivery mode vary from semester to semester.

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Master office processes & software

What can you do with an Office Professional Certificate?

Highlights

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1 Year

WIOA Program

Career Outlook

Billing and Posting Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Correspondence Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Counter and Rental Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Court, Municipal, and License Clerks

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Customer Service Representatives

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Data Entry Keyers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help getting started?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 9 Credits

Semester 2 6 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Administrative Management and Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What will I learn?

What can I do with this certificate?

What’s special about this program?

Is this program offered online?

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Be debt-free at CLC

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