A study identified competencies needed by secretarial and supervisory/managerial personnel in word processing (WP) environments and used the data collected to develop guidelines for a WP curriculum for two-year postsecondary institutions. Data on competencies, knowledge, and behavioral traits that individuals should possess to perform jobs in WP environments were gathered from 490 individuals actually performing secretarial and/or supervisory and managerial roles in the New York City area. To obtain these data, two separate procedures were used. The first consisted of two structured mailed questionnaires and the second involved the administration of two semi-structured observations and interviews to 100 personnel in the WP field. Statistical analysis of these data indicated that the three most important competencies to include in WP curricula are language arts, human relations, and electronic keyboarding. Included among these skills required by managers/supervisors are measuring productivity, developing potential of employees, designing and implementing work flow procedures, developing systems, and evaluating equipment. Based on these data a model WP curriculum was developed. It included the following courses: machine transcription, electronic keyboarding, introduction to WP office information systems, office supervision and management, WP office systems simulation and an integrative internship. (MN)