Program Details
Associate of Applied Science - Administrative Support Technology
Associate of Applied ScienceTidewater Community College
The Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Administrative Support Technology provides students with an array of skills in preparation for work as administrative assistants, executive assistants or office managers in fields such as business, government, and education. Students may choose a cooperative education option in which they earn academic credit while gaining work experience at local sites.
Upon completion of these programs, graduates may enhance their knowledge base further with additional credentials such as Microsoft Office Certifications and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) completion.
Outcomes
- Students demonstrate proficiency in soft skills such as time management, business ethics, telephone etiquette, interpersonal skills, following directions and the ethics of social media.
- Students demonstrate administrative skills such as scheduling, office management, record management, basic training, decision making, delegating, budgeting,personnel procedures, and meeting preparations.
- Students demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills as an administrative assistant.
- Students understand the importance of maintaining a professional image.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | Yes, if you:
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Considerations When Selecting Courses |
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights | Complete this program in as few as 4 semesters / 63 credits Learn an array of skills in preparation for work as an administrative assistant, executive assistant or office manager in fields such as business, health care and education. Students in this program can qualify to sit for exams from the International Association of Administrative Professionals and Microsoft. TCC had 7 graduates in 2020-21, 18 graduates in 2019-20, 13 graduates in 2018-19, 19 graduates in 2017-18, and 25 graduates in 2016-17 in the AAS program in Administrative Support Technology. |
Related Programs & Certifications

Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | The student development requirement at TCC is waived for students who have completed an associate or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. All other coursework is evaluated and transferred as applicable to your degree. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | TCC does not distinguish between students earning an associate degree while in high school or after high school graduation. |
Credit for Prior Learning | TCC recognizes you have a wealth of skills and knowledge gained through life, work and community-based experiences. Credit for Prior Learning at TCC is academic credit awarded to students who successfully demonstrate college or university-level learning achieved through informal or experiential learning outside of the classroom. You can have your learning evaluated for academic credit, saving you time and money towards earning your degree.
For more information: https://help.tcc.edu/s/topic/0TO1R000000gnrkWAA/credit-for-prior-learning |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | At TCC, we believe everyone should have access to a high quality, affordable education. With diverse programs designed for immediate job placement, smaller class sizes, top-rated faculty and modern campuses, TCC is an ideal environment for a life changing education, right here in your own backyard. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined when an academic plan is selected by the student. |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of attendance. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | Completing the first two years of your degree at TCC can get you in the door - while saving you thousands on the cost of your education. We recommend that you start your transfer planning during your first semester at TCC. In addition to your regular academic advising, you should review the TCC guaranteed admissions agreements and the transfer guides for the college or university to which you would like to transfer.
https://help.tcc.edu/s/article/Guaranteed-Transfer-Programs. |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Tec | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administrative Support Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Southside Virginia Community College | Associate of Applied Science with a major in Administrative Support Tech specializing in Medical Office Specialist | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Bridgewater College | Business Administration Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Business - Finance (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Business - Management (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Business - Marketing (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Eastern Shore Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Management | Associate | Associate in Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Office Administrative Assistant | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Highlands Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology Executive Admin Assistant | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Management Tech | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Management Technology-Medical Admin Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Administrative Management Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Administrative Management Technology with a Specialization in Medical Office | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Administrative Management Technology with a Specialization in Office Accounting | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology - Medical Office Administration | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology - General Office Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Danville Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology - Medical Office Coding | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Computer Software Specialist | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Mountain Empire Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Support Technology - Medical Office Specialist | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology-Medical Administrative Support Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
New River Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology-Paralegal Administrative Support Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Patrick & Henry Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Paul D. Camp Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Word/Information Process | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Southwest Virginia Community College | Associates of Applied Science in Business Technology | Associate | Associates of Applied Science | 2-Year | Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Support Technology/Medical Office Administration | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in AST with a Specialization in Health Information Management | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in AST with a Specialization in Legal Assistant | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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43-4151.00 | Order Clerks | Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-5011.00 | Cargo and Freight Agents | Expedite and route movement of incoming and outgoing cargo and freight shipments in airline, train, and trucking terminals and shipping docks. Take orders from customers and arrange pickup of freight and cargo for delivery to loading platform. Prepare and examine bills of lading to determine shipping charges and tariffs. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-5011.01 | Freight Forwarders | Research rates, routings, or modes of transport for shipment of products. Maintain awareness of regulations affecting the international movement of cargo. Make arrangements for additional services, such as storage or inland transportation. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-5061.00 | Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-4051.00 | Customer Service Representatives | 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. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-9021.00 | Data Entry Keyers | Operate data entry device, such as keyboard or photo composing perforator. Duties may include verifying data and preparing materials for printing. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-4161.00 | Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-5032.00 | Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | Schedule and dispatch workers, work crews, equipment, or service vehicles for conveyance of materials, freight, or passengers, or for normal installation, service, or emergency repairs rendered outside the place of business. Duties may include using radio, telephone, or computer to transmit assignments and compiling statistics and reports on work progress. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-6011.00 | Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-1011.00 | First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of clerical and administrative support workers. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-6014.00 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
13-1199.04 | Business Continuity Planners | Develop, maintain, or implement business continuity and disaster recovery strategies and solutions, including risk assessments, business impact analyses, strategy selection, and documentation of business continuity and disaster recovery procedures. Plan, conduct, and debrief regular mock-disaster exercises to test the adequacy of existing plans and strategies, updating procedures and plans regularly. Act as a coordinator for continuity efforts after a disruption event. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
13-1199.00 | Business Operations Specialists, All Other | All business operations specialists not listed separately. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
13-1199.06 | Online Merchants | Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
13-1199.07 | Security Management Specialists | Conduct security assessments for organizations, and design security systems and processes. May specialize in areas such as physical security or the safety of employees and facilities. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
13-1199.05 | Sustainability Specialists | Address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste stream management, green building practices, and green procurement plans. | Business and Financial Operations Occupations |
43-4021.00 | Correspondence Clerks | 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. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-4071.00 | File Clerks | File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-9041.00 | Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policyholders and insurance company representatives. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-9061.00 | Office Clerks, General | Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-3061.00 | Procurement Clerks | Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
43-9022.00 | Word Processors and Typists | Use word processor, computer, or typewriter to type letters, reports, forms, or other material from rough draft, corrected copy, or voice recording. May perform other clerical duties as assigned. | Office and Administrative Support Occupations |
Cost To Complete
