Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA)

The Bachelor of Science in Office Administration (BSOA) is a four-year degree program that prepares students for a career in an outcome-focused and technology-rich professional environment. Whether in general business, legal, or medical offices, the curriculum equips its graduates with the professional skills and competencies to meet the dynamic and technological needs of diverse industries and global markets. The BSOA program adheres to the provisions of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 19, Series of 2017, with the purpose of rationalizing the field of office administration. The BSOA program combines courses in office administration, management, and technology to prepare the students to assume various general and specialized support, supervisory, and managerial positions in the local and global workplace, including self-employment.

The management and the Quality Assurance Center-Curriculum Planning and Development section rigorously monitor the contents of the BSOA program to ensure continuous improvement and to stay updated with the evolving educational landscapes in both national and international contexts. The BSOA program is getting better because of national and international policies and trends, like the Commission on Higher Education's (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 56, series of 2012 Policy-Standards to Enhance Quality Assurance (QA) in Philippine Higher Education Through an Outcomes-Based QA. This is done to make sure that students get the best and most up-to-date education that they will need when they start working after college. The need for continued curriculum development contributes to the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' vision of becoming the National Polytechnic University.

The BSOA program recognizes a ladderized education system, allowing students and workers to progress between technical-vocational and higher education programs, or vice versa. A policy outlines the guidelines for graduates from the ladderized diploma programs of the PUP system to transition and enroll in the vertically aligned baccalaureate degree.

The following are the academic completion certifications for each level:

• First Year Level: Certificate in General Clerical Education

• The second year of the Associate in Office Administration Education course is currently underway.

• Third Year Level: Diploma in Legal Office Administration or Diploma in Medical Office Administration

BSOA graduates can anticipate a strong demand for job opportunities at various levels, including entry-level, management, specialized transcription, and entrepreneurial careers. Medical transcriptionists, or healthcare documentation specialists, are increasingly in demand in the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry in the country and other countries as a result of the healthcare reform program, particularly across the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Asia. Furthermore, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has established new court offices nationwide, necessitating the need for court stenographers to fill these positions.

In addition to this, there is a need to address the aging population of court stenographers in the country and/or court reporters in other countries. The administrative professional is a vital team member of business professionals who work closely with CEOs, managers, administrators, and executives. In a 2020 report by the American Association of Administrative Professionals (ASAP), administrative professionals are no longer just performing the tasks that secretaries perform; they are increasingly leading activities that further overall organizational objectives. Economic swings, technological advances, and global trends have also caused a significant shift in management roles and generational leadership.

Program Description

The BSOA program is a four-year degree program that aims to strengthen the students’ 21st century skills in an outcome-focused, technology-rich environment, guided by the code of conduct and ethical standards for administrative professionals. The curriculum systematically combines courses in office administration, business management, and information technology, including specialized courses in legal and medical transcription. It equips students with the necessary competencies and skills to produce and manage vital documents, fosters their growth and flexibility in a ladderized education system, and prepares them to meet the demands of diverse industries, trends, and the global workplace. The program recognizes students' participation in national and international engagements to explore capabilities and competitiveness to meet global opportunities.

The BSOA program prepares students for a variety of careers in general and specialized fields, including leadership and executive-level positions, as well as entrepreneurial management. The program encourages all aspiring administrative professionals to take the Civil Service Professional Examinations and National Certifications for career advancement in government agencies and private organizations.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate creative and critical thinking about concepts, principles, and theories, as well as innovative competencies applied in office administration, through research production, presentation, and publication.

• Promote information sharing and office administration processes by utilizing macro skills in communication through conventional and digital means, which leads to good work relationships and productivity.

• In task performance, establish a strong commitment to service excellence for stakeholders;

• Exhibit proficiency and responsible utilization of office machines and state-of-the-art technologies to meet the requirements of the global workplace;

• Participate in community engagement to expand opportunities for meaningful, socially and academically grounded services;

• Employ organizational and leadership skills to assume management roles and promote the office administration profession;

• It is important to practice professionalism and adhere to the ethical requirements of administrative professions, guided by the code of ethics for office professionals.

• Demonstrate flexibility and growth to keep pace with trends and global technological advancements through research, trainings, seminars, and workshops; and

• Participate in national and international activities to promote the graduates' professional abilities and discover new and global opportunities.

Job Targets

LOCAL JOB TARGETS

Entry Job Level

• Corporate Secretary

• Medical Secretary

• Legal Secretary/Paralegal

• Court Stenographer

• Medical Transcriptionist

• Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk

• Bookkeeper/Accounting Assistant

• Contact Center Services

• Front Desk Specialist

• Human Resource Assistant

Advanced Office Position

• Administration Officer

• Office Supervisor/HR Manager

• Office Manager/Operations Manager

• Executive Secretary / Executive Assistant

• Executive Assistant to CEOs

• Medical Transcriptionist

• Medical Transcription Editor

• Healthcare Documentation Specialist

Specialized Job Positions

• Court Stenographer/Court Reporter

• Legal Interpreter/Transcriptionist

• Medical Language Specialist

• Medical Transcription Editor

• Medical Coder/Biller

• Health Insurance Documentation Specialist

• Corporate Documentation Specialist

Entrepreneurial/Self-Employment

• Freelance Stenographer

• Home-based Medical Transcriptionist

• Home-based Administrative Assistant

• Virtual Assistant

• Owner of Placement Agency Specializing in Office Administration

INTERNATIONAL JOB TARGETS

• Court Reporter

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States

Medical Transcriptionist

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States

Administrative Professionals

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States

Closed Caption Editors/Transcribers

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States

Medical Coder

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States

Medical Billing Clerk

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States

Virtual Assistant (freelance)

• Canada

• Singapore

• United Kingdom

• United States