Administrative Certification and Certificate Program Information
Majors Overview March 7, 2013As technology and computer-savvy office workers are demanded by organizations, there is a need for administrative assistants, so they need to stay current with their administrative skills. Various duties are performed by an administrative assistant, including organizing and creating documents, answering phone calls, scheduling appointments and meetings, and conducting research. Administrative assistant can gain knowledge in these important areas through certification programs.
Certificate for Administrative Assistant
By enrolling in an administrative assistant certificate program, aspiring candidates can learn how to use modern office technology along with employing these technologies in the performance of everyday office functions. Students can learn about employee/customer relations and proper office procedures through the certificate program.
Education Prerequisites
High school transcripts must be submitted by students, and all applicants are required to have a general education development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma. It will be beneficial to have exceptional grades in mathematics and knowledgeable in basic word processing along with other computer programs.
Program Coursework
Courses in keyboarding, proofreading, English grammar, and office procedures for individuals who want to improve their accuracy and speed are followed by certain courses in:
•Organizational Human Relations
•Business Communications
•Business and Machine Transcription
•Accounting and Business Math
•Spreadsheet and Database Software
Students have an option to enroll into advanced elective courses in Microsoft Office PowerPoint, as well as other business applications.
Popular Jobs
Students who graduated from an administrative assistant certificate program could look for jobs as a file clerk, secretary, work processor, receptionist, or other office positions. With a certificate, students may find work as a personal administrative assistant for upper management personnel.
Continuing Education
Graduates can use credits earned from the certificate program towards completing an associate degree program in other business or office administration. After completing an administrative assistant certificate program, a graduate may choose further specialization in other areas, including legal assistance.
Administrative Assistant or Business Office Technology Certificate
Aspiring students seeking entry level jobs can enroll into the administrative office technology certificate program. Graduates can use credits earned from the program towards completing an associate degree program in administrative office technology or other business concentration.
Education Prerequisites
Community or Junior colleges typically require potential students to have a general education development certificate or high school diploma, and applicants need to submit all transcripts along with ACT or SAT scores. Students are required to take mandatory placement test at numerous technical and trade schools.
Program Coursework
Different basic office skills are taught to students, including spreadsheets, keyboarding, creating and emailing reports. Technological courses include:
•PowerPoint Applications
•Microsoft Applications
•Introduction to Microcomputers
•Principles of Accounting
•Document applications and processing
Popular Jobs
Students who earn a certificate can seek entry-level positions as a secretary, clerk typist, personal assistant, or receptionist in legal, medical, business, or other fields.
Salary Information and Employment Outlook
From 2006 to 2016, developments and office restructuring in office technology is anticipated to translate into an increase of about 350,000 jobs for secretaries and administrative assistants, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics (www.bls.gov). The average annual salary is approximately $40,030 for industries, such as commodities and security, financial investment, and the federal government compensating significantly higher (around $54,000 annually).
Continuing Education
Once students earn their certificate, they may want to further their studies by completing an associate or undergraduate degree in business administration. Individuals with an advanced degree will improve their chances in receiving a promotion from their current organization or at another company. Students who want to enhance their career should consider joining a professional organization, such as the International Association of Administrative Professionals (www.iaap-hq.org). The International Association of Administrative Professionals is a non-profit organization with over 40,000 members nationwide and offers numerous certification and educational options for qualified administrative professionals.
