Administrative Support Technology Associate in Applied Science Degree
The administrative support technology program prepares you for a career in a variety of business settings including government, education, corporate settings, and health care.
Overview for Administrative Support Technology AAS
In the administrative support technology program you will receive a foundation in computer software applications, business office procedures, and document preparation as well as opportunities to develop appropriate professional interpersonal and human relations skills. You'll be prepared for a career in a variety of business settings that include government, education, corporate settings, health care, and more This program is available for qualified deaf and hard of hearing students.
The administrative support technology program, offered by RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf, provides students with opportunities to develop skills needed in processing information using a variety of integrated office software applications as well as appropriate professional interpersonal communication skills. Graduates will input, manipulate, and retrieve data; use interactive office software and e-mail; learn information processing skills for applications such as word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database; and perform other office duties.
The administrative support technology is available as an associate in applied science (AAS) degree or as an Associate+Bachelor’s Degree Program.
The AAS degree in administrative support technology is a career-focused degree program that leads to immediate entry into well-paying careers at the paraprofessional or technician level.
The Associate+Bachelor’s Degree Program in administrative support technology prepares you to complete an RIT bachelor’s degree. In this option, upon successful completion of the AAS degree in administrative support technology, provided you maintain a 2.5 or higher grade point average in the program, you will enroll into RIT’s School of Individualized Study, where you can pursue an individualized program bachelor’s degree.
Learn more about the benefits of pursuing an Associate+Bachelor’s Degree Program.
Microsoft Certification
NTID's business studies department operates an authorized testing center for Microsoft Office Specialist. Preparatory courses are offered for several exams each semester.
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Apply for Fall 2025
First-year students can apply for Early Decision II by Jan. 1 to get an admissions and financial aid assessment by mid-January.
Careers and Cooperative Education
Typical Job Titles
| Administrative Assistant | Executive Assistant | General Office Assistant |
| Word Processor | Software Applications Specialist |
Industries
Cooperative Education
Cooperative education, or co-op for short, is full-time, paid work experience in your field of study. And it sets RIT graduates apart from their competitors. It’s exposure–early and often–to a variety of professional work environments, career paths, and industries. RIT co-op is designed for your success.
Students in the administrative support technology program are required to complete a cooperative education work experience prior to graduation. You may schedule your co-op after completing your second-year academic requirements.
Curriculum for 2024-2025 for Administrative Support Technology AAS
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Administrative Support Technology, AAS degree, typical course sequence
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| NACC-130 | Personal Finance This course provides students with information and resources needed to understand the creation and implementation of a budget, use of credit and borrowing money responsibly, financial rights and ways to safeguard their money, and factors used to determine their readiness to buy a home or make other major purchases. Information on financial institutions such as banks, credit unions, and savings and loan organizations will also be covered. This course will provide students with basic financial literacy so they can develop sound financial management of their personal income as well as an understanding of the economic events that can influence their financial well being and society as a whole. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 5 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NACC-201 | Accounting 1 Introduction to accounting principles for both accounting and nonaccounting students. Service and merchandising (retail/wholesale) businesses are introduced. Focus is on analyzing and recording of business transactions using the double-entry accounting system. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NAST-160 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 5 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-140 | Essential Document Production This course is for students with little or no knowledge of word processing software, limited keyboarding experience, and those that have a minimum of 20 net words per minute. Emphasis is on keyboarding skill development as well as an introduction to basic word processing skills. Students key and format business correspondence, reports, and tables. The expectation is to exit this course with a 30 net words per minute typing proficiency for five minutes. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 5 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-150 | Advanced Document Production This course focuses on effective management of document production activities by integrating document formatting and applications using various types of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and slide presentation software. Students will also learn to efficiently use electronic office procedures. Emphasis is on the mastery of skills and their application to a variety of realistic office document production projects. Typing skill development continues with an expected exit speed of 45+ net words per minute for five minutes. (Prerequisite: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NAST-140 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 5 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-160 | Fundamentals of Spreadsheet Applications Emphasis will be on creating, formatting, and enhancing worksheets; creating and applying formulas and functions; building and formatting charts; using What-If analysis and creating templates. Upon completion, students will be able to design and enhance basic spreadsheets. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 5 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NBUS-200 | Orientation to Business This course introduces students to a broad overview of the form and structure of multinational organizations. It provides students with a basic knowledge of the history, organization and operation of business and its particular vocabulary. (NTID Supported Students.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NCAR-010 | Freshman Seminar The course provides incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students admitted to NTID undergraduate programs with opportunities to develop/enhance academic skills, personal awareness, and community involvement in order to maximize their college experience. Students will have opportunities to explore and navigate the college environment, develop/reinforce academic skills, and participate in experiential learning opportunities while establishing meaningful connections with faculty, staff and peers. The course promotes the development of plans for ongoing growth and involvement in class and in the RIT/NTID and/or broader community. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 2 (Fall, Spring). |
0 |
General Education - Elective* |
3 | |
General Education - Elective† |
3 | |
General Education - Ethical Perspective* |
3 | |
General Education - First Year Writing (WI) |
3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| NAST-210 | Essentials of Business Communication This is a course in the essentials of business communication for today's fast-paced global environment. Emphasis will be on the message and the modes of communication used in the business environment. Participants will engage in effective communication skills through writings (traditional and electronic), face-to-face interactions, and team presentations. Course content will also include emphasis on non-grammar language applications in business communication. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-220 | Fundamentals of Database Applications This course introduces the fundamental concepts of a database management system for creating, maintaining, manipulating, retrieving, and printing business data. Students will learn to create various forms and design reports for storing and displaying data. In addition, the student will create switchboard systems and allow users to view data in multiple dimensions. Students will also learn to save database objects in HTML format so they can be viewed by a browser and imported or exported in XML format. (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-225 | Fundamentals of Graphic Applications This course will provide students with essential digital document design skills using current software. Students will learn layout and design principles and effective graphic selection for diverse communication formats while emphasizing design principles for digital layouts. Presentation skills will also be a component of this course. Students will create an e-portfolio that will be incorporated into a website showcasing their technical abilities. (Prerequisite: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NAST-150 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-240 | Administrative Support Technology Seminar This course provides students with an opportunity to prepare for employment through a formal mentoring experience, team presentation, and guest presentations. Topics for discussion are project management, assertiveness training, leadership styles, effective one-on-one interpersonal and electronic communication, protocol for working with an interpreter, and lifelong learning as necessary for job success. Through weekly meetings with their mentors, students will share responsibility for interactions, establish a learning relationship, increase self-direction, and gain a greater understanding of the workplace. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NAST-210 or (0806-101 and 0804-110) or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 4 (Spring). |
3 |
| NAST-299 | Co-op: Administrative Support Technology/Business Technology Designed to give the student an opportunity to gain work experience, to apply what has been learned and to self-evaluate personal and communication skills. Placement assistance is provided to help the student find a job related to his/her field of study. One co-op experience is required for graduation. CO OP (Fall, Spring, Summer). |
0 |
| NBUS-213 | Applied Ethics This course introduces ethical issues facing the workplace. Students will learn about common work-related ethical issues, and evaluate problems concerning professional conduct and moral conflict. Students will also learn what ethical behavior is, how to recognize ethical behavior, and how to model ethical behavior in the workplace. Individual, organizational and societal needs will be taken into consideration during the students’ decision-making process (NTID Supported Students.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NBUS-217 | Fundamentals of Management This course focuses on the management aspect of organizations. Students will learn a variety of methods management uses to stay organized, lead and motivate employees as well as how controls are established to ensure company goals are met. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the multi-faceted roles of leaders and managers in the workplace. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NBUS-200 or equivalent course.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NBUS-230 | Introduction to Small Business This course will provide students with the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and small business operations. Students will be given the opportunity to learn key principles and practices necessary to succeed in the launch and management of a small business. Topics include entrepreneurial personality, opportunity recognition, customer discovery, business strategy development, financing a small business, legal considerations, financial management, human resource management, effective leadership, marketing strategies, and customer service excellence. (NTID Supported Students.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
General Education - Global Perspective* |
3 | |
General Education - Social Perspective* |
3 | |
General Education - Scientific Principles Perspective |
3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| NBUS-221 | Essentials of Human Resource Management This course acquaints students with the basic concepts of Human Resource Management. Exposure to the changing nature of Human Resources relates to employee retention, legality, EEO/Diversity, job analysis, recruitment, selection, training and development as well as performance management, compensation, benefits, employee relations and labor relations. An overview of the range of duties and levels of responsibilities found in this sector of the business environment will allow students to identify similarities between job function required of an administrative assistant and of a human resources assistant. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NBUS-217 or equivalent course.) Lec/Lab 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NBUS-223 | Fundamentals of Marketing This course introduces the field of marketing and its focus on how consumer behavior effects in the marketplace (domestically and internationally). Emphasis will be placed on understanding the marketing mix and its impact on the external market environment. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NBUS-200 or equivalent course.) Lecture 4 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
| NBUS-235 | Content Creation Management This course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to manage the entire lifecycle of content creation, from ideation to publication and beyond. Mastering the art of content creation and management is essential to relate with target audiences and achieve organizational goals in today's digital landscape. Students will also experience hands-on collaboration and add digital content materials to their portfolio that demonstrates a solid understanding of content creation as it relates to Marketing. (Prerequisites: This class is restricted to NTID supported students who have completed NBUS-200 or equivalent course.) Lecture 3 (Fall, Spring). |
3 |
Open Elective |
3 | |
General Education - Artistic Perspective* |
3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 75 |
|
Please see the NTID General Education Curriculum (GE) for more information.
Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information. Students completing associate degrees are required to complete one Wellness course.
* An ASL-Deaf Cultural Studies (AASASLDCS) course is required for graduation. It can be taken in any semester and can be taken at NTID or another college of RIT. In order to fulfill this requirement as part of the credit hours in the program, it can be a course approved for both AASASLDCS and a General Education - Perspective or General Education - Elective or it can be used to fulfill an Open Elective.
† Any mathematics course numbered NMTH-140 or higher.
Admissions and Financial Aid
For the career-focused AAS degree
- 2 years of math required
- 1 year of science required
- English language skills as evidenced by application materials determine associate degree options.
For the AAS degree leading to bachelor’s degree (Associate+Bachelor’s program)
- 2 years of math required; students interested in engineering, math and science transfer programs should have three or more years of math.
- 1 year of science required; students interested in engineering, math and science transfer programs should have two or more years of science.
- Physics is recommended for students interested in engineering.
- English language skills, as evidenced by application materials, determine associate degree options.
Specific English, mathematics, and science requirements and other recommendations
- English: Placement into a First Year Writing course, such as FYW: Writing Seminar (UWRT-150). Students typically enter First Year Writing with reading scores equivalent to 130 or higher on the NTID Reading Test and writing scores of 67 or higher on the NTID Writing Test. However, students who complete AAS degrees typically enter NTID with reading scores above 98 on the NTID Reading Test and writing scores above 50 on the NTID Writing Test.
- Mathematics: Mathematics course NMTH-140 or higher is required. Typically, students entering this program will have completed at least two years of high school mathematics.
- Science: Typically, students entering this program will have completed at least two years of high school science.
- ACT: For the Career-Focused AAS degree, the ACT middle 50% composite score is 14-17. For the Associate+Bachelor AAS degree, the ACT middle 50% composite score is 18-21 (optional).
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Contact
- Mark Pfuntner
- Department Chair
- Department of Business Studies
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf
- 585‑286‑4640
- mjpnvd@ntid.rit.edu
Department of Business Studies