Administrative Assistant Degree Programs

Administrative assistants are office professionals who oversee and coordinate the running of a business. Once known as secretaries, modern administrative assistants are responsible for a combination of clerical, technological, and management duties. Although it is possible to gain employment as an administrative assistant without any prior training, more and more businesses prefer to hire candidates with formal education. One reason for this change is the use of communication technology in the office. In order to perform their jobs efficiently, administrative assistants must have excellent computer skills along with organizational and clerical abilities.

One way to get a head-start on a successful career as an administrative assisting is to enroll in an associates degree program. An associates degree typically takes 1-2 years to complete and provides students with a well-rounded approach to all aspects of administrative assisting. Earning a degree demonstrates commitment to the field and a high standard of training that is attractive to potential employers. Administrative assistants with associates degree are often the first to advance in the office to higher positions, such as executive administrative assistant or office manager.

Associates Degree Programs

Associates degrees are a great choice for individuals who wish to gain an in-depth training in modern administrative skills and communication technology.

There are many community colleges and vocational schools that offer associates degrees in administrative assisting. Many of these same schools offer their programs online, which makes it easy for individuals with full-time jobs or other time commitments to complete their education on their own schedule. Good administrative assisting programs will train students in a variety of subjects and help them develop their leadership skills. Associates degree programs also include some liberal arts credits, which may be transferable to a 4-year institution if you wish to pursue further education.

In order to be eligible for enrollment in an associates degree program, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Some schools also recommend basic word processing training as well.

Courses

Coursework for associates degree programs vary based on length of time needed to complete the credential. Potential students should review course schedules before enrolling in any program in order to determine what skills and subjects are being taught. Typical programs will include the following core subjects:

  • Office Management
  • Database Management
  • Accounting
  • Bookkeeping
  • Customer Service
  • Oral Communication
  • Desktop Publishing
  • Word Processing
  • Transcription
  • Communication Technology
  • Business Communication
  • Website development and maintenance

Medical and Legal Administrative Assisting Associates Degrees

It is possible to earn an associates degree in either medical or legal administrative assisting. These specialized degrees are required to gain employment in a health care or legal institution.

Medical administrative assistants must complete a slightly different education than their counterparts. Associates degrees are offered in the specialized medical assisting field and include many of the same courses as a general administrative assisting degrees. However, field-specific courses include medical ethics, terminology, law, transcription, insurance coding and billing, filing procedures, and medical computer applications.

Legal assistants must also complete a more concentrated education. Common courses are legal transcription, employment law for administrative assistants, terminology, court procedures, legal documentation, and paralegal responsibilities.
 
 

Top Administrative Assistant Schools

  • Career Point College Online

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as few as eight months for a diploma, 15 months for an Associate’s, and 18 months for a Bachelor’s (with an Associate’s first), you could be prepared to enter the job marketplace. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

  • Potomac College

    Potomac College offers students the opportunity to take advantage of all of the same courses, programs, and specializations online that are offered at either of their two physical campuses. This allows students the convenience of flexibility and makes it an ideal institution for fulltime working adults, military persons, or anyone with a busy, demanding schedule seeking to pursue a college degree. In fact, many of our students residing in a close proximity to either our Washington, DC or Herndon, VA campuses have chosen to take both online and on-campus courses for an accommodating blended program.

    Imagine being able to pursue your degree at a pace and time that works with your busy schedule. Potomac College offers practical and tailored curricula to a diverse community of working adults and students. It is our goal to make education obtainable regardless of a student’s schedule and finances. Our academic advisors are trained to assess your educational needs and tailor a curriculum that matches your career goals and expected time of completion.

  • Harrison College

    Harrison College is a nationally accredited college with more than 75,000 graduates. We offer a unique learning environment for students who want to pursue a career-focused, quality education and complete their degree in a student-centered atmosphere. In order to achieve your goals, we believe it’s important for us to take the time to get to know you. In fact, our students are often surprised at the one-on-one attention they receive here as compared to other institutions. You’ll experience it throughout every stage of your Harrison experience, from our Admissions Representatives to our Career Services staff and financial aid analysts to our course instructors. Each of us believes it is our goal to help you achieve yours.

  • TCI - Technical Career Institute

    TCI College is a New York City based technical school that offers continuing technical education to students who want on-site specialized training in competitive fields. Technical Career Institutes provides students with technical training such as web site design, health information technology, electronic engineering technology, and heating ventilation and air conditioning. TCI also offers career placement assistance upon graduation. Visit TCI College in New York City located in lower Manhattan.

  • Career Point College

    Imagine an exciting new career in the medical, business, legal or computer fields. Career Point College is a great place to learn all of the skills you will need to succeed in these industries and get the future you want! In as little as 8-11 months for a Diploma or 18 months for an Associate’s Degree, you can graduate and join the workforce. Whether it is because of our accelerated programs, hands-on training, personal attention, flexible schedules, on-site daycare, lifetime placement assistance or lifetime refresher training, you will see Career Point College is the right school for you!

  • ASA The College For Excellence

    ASA The College For Excellence specializes in offering a superior value in higher education, with programs that balance traditional academic preparation with professional training and hands-on experience. 80% of Graduating Students get into the career field of their choice and many go on to advanced degrees!

  • Milan Institute

    We believe that each student at Milan Institute holds the key to his or her own success. Our staff and instructors strive to help each student develop the professionalism that will open a world of creativity and knowledge. Milan Institute offers a college atmosphere conducive to learning and individual growth. Excellent training and job placement assistance enable our students to become enterprising professionals.

  • Salter College

    Salter College, a private two-year college, offers an enriching balance of liberal arts and professional career education. We are dedicated to meeting the needs of our students through quality education and support services while fostering an environment that inspires academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, social responsibility, and an interest in life-long learning and continued higher education.

  • West Virginia Junior College

    Our programs are designed for you to be job-ready in months with career-focused, hands-on training in a friendly, small-school environment where you receive individual attention.

    As a WVJC student, you will have access to modern classrooms and laboratory equipment, individualized attention in a small class setting, and job placement assistance.

    Along with academic credentials and certifications, our faculty brings industry knowledge to the classroom, helping students understand both theory and real-world experiences.

  • Laurus College

    Our mission is to provide every student with a quality education and a quality experience that prepares you for success in the global marketplace of the modern world. To do this we provide focused instruction and personalized caring to every student. Our emphasis on career opportunities in all of our program offerings helps open up avenues of opportunity that previously may have gone unrealized.