Associate Degree in Specialized Business: Office Administration
Majors Overview May 7, 2013Students who want to obtain the skills needed to work in a professional office should enroll in a business associate degree program with specialization in office administration. Students will become familiar with the procedures necessary for running a department or an office, including how to input data, make presentations, analyze reports, and create spreadsheets. They will also learn how to meet deadlines, delegate duties, and work in teams.
Associate Degree Program in Business with Specialization in Office Administration
Associate degree program in business with specialization in office administration will prepare students to work in clerical, secretarial, and office management positions. Skills learned within these degree programs may include inner office communications, project management, spreadsheet analysis, and financial management. Typically, completion of a program requires a willingness to learn necessary technical skills or computer literacy skills.
Education Requirements
Admission criteria generally require applicants to hold a general educational development (GED) certificate or a high school diploma before enrolling in an associate degree program. Basic mathematics courses may be required to be completed by some specialized business programs before they allow students to take core classes.
Program Coursework
Since specialized associate degree programs in business prepare students for various office administration professions, most programs cover a broad range of business topics, such as communications, finances, management, and technology. Program coursework may include the following topics:
•Public presentations and speaking
•Marketing strategies
•Business writing
•Human resource management
•Travel arrangements planning
•Business law
•Records management
•Business software applications
•Business planning
•Accounting
Career Options
Associate degree programs that combine office administration with business skills may prepare students for various positions. Students may obtain the following job titles:
•Sales associate
•Bookkeeper
•Office manager
Information on Continuing Education
Although an associate degree usually suffices the requirement for many entry-level secretarial jobs, upper-level administrators who employ secretaries may give preference to bachelor’s degrees holders. Individuals with specialized business associate degree should consider pursuing a bachelor degree program in fields such as information technology or business administration. Similarly, office managers who want to advance into division or department supervisory positions are required to hold a bachelor or master degree in a field that is related to business management.
