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Administrative Professional
Available at the State College Main Campus
The South Hills Administrative Professional (AP) program will prepare you to be the key staff member, administrator, or manager in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven modern office setting. This intensive online/hybrid program is designed to only require two day or evenings per week in person at the school, and the rest of the coursework is completed online. As a student in our AP program, you will become fluent in current software—from Microsoft® Word, Publisher, Excel, and Access. You will learn essential skills for keeping an office efficient and performing at an optimum level. Students will also learn human relations, and event planning skills.

Our AP program graduates may be employed in positions including Administrative Assistant, Administrative Professional, Office Assistant, and Office Manager.
Successful students in this program will be outgoing, willing to ask questions, and able to complete projects on time. They need to have strong organizational and time management skills.
Testimonials
“I think some people believe that office jobs are boring and that all you do is sit behind a desk. That’s the furthest thing from the truth. For me, every day is different. Also, you don’t have to go to a 4-year college or university to have a successful career.”

"The best part of my South Hills education was the faculty and staff. The student to faculty ratio allowed for individual time and attention. I always felt the instructors were committed to providing an exemplary education and wanted us, as students, to be successful. Everyone from Financial Aid to Instructors to Career Services were easily accessible and very helpful any time I needed guidance or assistance. The program-focused coursework gave me the skills, knowledge, and practical experience that helped to prepare me for my current position at the College of Engineering at Penn State University."

Complete Course List
Administrative Professional Course List for 2022-23
Diploma Program54.5 credits/829 clock hours/9 months
Term | Course # | Course Name | Credits | Clock Hours |
---|---|---|---|---|
First Term | GE188 | Business Writing Essentials | 4.0 | 60 |
AP110 | Document Processing* | 3.5 | 60 | |
PD130 | Professional Development* | 2.0 | 27 | |
GE187 | Business Mathematics* | 4.0 | 60 | |
AP111 | Microsoft Word Essentials* | 2.0 | 40 | |
MG226 | Human Resource Management* | 2.5 | 36 | |
Totals: | 18 | 283 | ||
Second Term | AP112 | Editing and Proofreading* | 2.5 | 36 |
GE178 | Human Relations in the Workplace | 2.5 | 36 | |
GE264 | Oral Business Communications* | 1.5 | 24 | |
AC124 | Introduction to Accounting & Payroll* | 4.0 | 60 | |
CP140 | Microsoft Excel Essentials* | 4.0 | 74 | |
WP212 | Desktop Publishing I* | 4.5 | 60 | |
Totals: | 19.0 | 290 | ||
Third Term | AP113 | Microsoft Access Essentials* | 3.0 | 48 |
AC129 | Computerized Accounting* | 4.0 | 60 | |
AP109 | Records Management* | 2.0 | 36 | |
MG107 | Customer Relations | 3.0 | 36 | |
CD220 | Job Search Skills* | 2.0 | 28 | |
AP114 | The Office Environment* | 3.5 | 48 | |
Totals: | 17.5 | 256 | ||
*Distance education course |
Careers in Administrative Professional
With nine months of hands-on training and strong skill sets, our Administrative Professional graduates are prepared for a variety of career options, including:
- Administrative Assistant
- Secretary
- Client Services Assistant
- Office Manager
- Office Assistant
- Staff Assistant
- Clerk Typist
- Executive Assistant
- Receptionist
- Customer Services Representative

South Hills Administrative Professional graduates are well-trained and in demand for their knowledge and work ethics. Some of the many firms employing our graduates include:
- American Home Patient
- Borough of Lewistown
- Centre County Government
- Centre County Homemakers
- Eclipse Resources
- Glen Hawbakers
- Penn State University
- PFG
- QBC Diagnostics
- Shaner Corp

Meet the Faculty

Barb Seeger
Program Coordinator
State College Main Campus

Barb Seeger has been an instructor at South Hills School of Business & Technology since 2002.
Barb is a graduate of the Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the South Hills team, she served as an elementary school teacher in the Tyrone School District, in addition to serving as Technology Coordinator at Bishop Guilfoyle High School and as an Adjunct faculty member at Mount Aloysius College. She brings her expertise and experiences from the education community to her classroom. Barb’s certifications include: Pennsylvania Instructional I Certification, Microsoft Office User Specialist – Excel, Microsoft Office User Specialist – Word, and Microsoft Office User Specialist – PowerPoint.
In 2018, Barb received the Educator of the Year award from the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce.
Program Advisory Committee
Member Name | Job Title | Company |
Lindsey Clark | Contract Administrator | Penn State Construction |
Courtney Crosson | IT Consultant I | Penn State World Campus |
Brenda Harrison | Pennsylvania Section Secretary | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Office |
Emily Miller | Secretary | Penn State Construction |
Blaine Mills | Office Administrator | Penn State Construction |
Becky Perry | Administrative Support Assistant 3 | Penn State Engineering Development |
Breanne Robinson | Administrative Support Coordinator 3 | Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment |
Noel Walk | Pennsylvania Section Secretary | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District Office |
Ben Williams | Office Manager | Penn State Construction |