New Student Handbook

This document includes most items a new OAT student will need to get a good start in the program.

New Student Handbook Link

Program of Study

The academic course requirements for the B.S. in Office Administration and Technology call for the completion of 60 semester hours of core courses in Areas A-F, plus 60 semester hours of major and guided elective courses.

Program of Study Link

SmartPath Core Classes

VSU’s SmartPath Core offers a direct, online path to courses that allows you to complete your core coursework with guaranteed classes developed by experienced VSU faculty.

SmartPath Link

Experiential Learning Credits

Students in the OAT program may earn up to 9 semester hours through documented experiential learning credits from work experience, military service, or approved professional licensure (such as CPS/CAP). 

  • ACED 2940 (for 3 years of experience) will count as 3 credits toward the Major.
  • ACED 3940, for years of experience beyond 3 years will count as Guided Elective credits.

The credits you earn through this process are not charged tuition. OAT Majors who do not have 3 years of experiential credit in the field of office administration and technology will be required to complete a 3-credit internship (ACED 4300) in place of ACED 2940 before graduation.

OAT majors who complete ACED 2940 for experiential learning instead of the ACED 4300 internship will submit an e-Portfolio for outcomes assessment before or during their final semester.

Experiential Learning Credits Form

Internship

Those students who cannot document at least 3 years of experiential learning through work will be required to complete a 3-credit internship class, ACED 4300. The internship provides an opportunity for students to gain hands-on work experience that they just can't get in a classroom. Employers are most interested in applicants with work experience, which an internship provides.

  • Students may enroll in ACED 4300 when they still need no more than 6 other credits to complete the degree; but those 6 credits may NOT be the Capstone courses, ACED 4070 and 4160.
  • Interns must attend an ACED 4300 pre-internship placement seminar held during the FALL and SPRING semesters.  Students who have not attended the seminar and who have not been cleared to intern will be withdrawn from the class.
  • All interns are required to work a total of 220 hours for the internship. For fall and spring interns, this means approximately 15 hours per week for 15 weeks. The summer session is 8 weeks, so this means approximately 28 work hours per week for summer interns. Interns may take no more than 6 additional credits during the internship.
  • Business or business casual attire is required for internships.

OAT Internship Guidelines

Exemption Exams

Students who feel they already know the content of a course may be able to exempt that course by taking an exemption exam. 

Exemption Exam Information

Bookstore

Although some classes utilize open resources, which means you won't need a textbook, other classes still require textbooks, vouchers, or other materials that are available through the VSU Bookstore.

VSU Bookstore Link

Academic Calendars

VSU offers many options for your online coursework, including full-semester courses, 8-week accelerated courses, Maymester, etc.. When you register for a class, be sure to make note of the start and end dates.

eLearning Calendar Link

Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid should be your first stop if you are looking for information on aid eligibility, loans, the PELL grant, the HOPE Scholarship, or the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Financial Aid Link

Online Counseling Services

If you find yourself stressed about school, please visit the following links for online services offered by VSU Counseling Services.

Online Seminars and Workshops

Virtual Relaxation Room

Student Resources Page

Outcomes Assessments

An E-Portfolio is required for OAT Majors who do not complete the Internship as part of their graduation requirements. Outcomes will be assessed through documents submitted to the appropriate Dropboxes in the ACED OAT Outcomes Assessments BlazeVIEW Course during several ACED courses before the end of the student’s final semester. Online majors who have not requested prior access will be automatically added to the Outcomes Assessments BlazeVIEW Course when they take ACED 4160 and/or ACED 4070. Candidates are expected to score at or above the minimum level of “able” in each element of the rubric.

Outcomes Assessments Rubric

Graduation

Contact your academic advisor when you have only two semesters left before graduation. The graduation application will need to be completed by both the student and the advisor.

Graduation Application Packet and other Forms

Frequently Asked Questions

If you don't find what you need here, try our FAQs page.

OAT-Online FAQs