11 Best Administrative Assistant Certifications Online 2024
11 Best Administrative Assistant Certifications Online | Best Certifications For Administrative Assistants. The rapid growth in the health, legal services, data processing, management, public relations, and other industries have created many new job opportunities for administrative assistants.
Having certifications can help you find a specialized administrative field and provide you with opportunities for career advancement. In this article, we will discuss the types of administrative certifications, benefits and skills needed for administrative work, what an administrative professional is.
Best Jobs in Administrative Assistant Careers
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, office and administrative support jobs earn an average annual salary of $39,680.
- Financial Clerks – $41,520..
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants – $38,850
- Receptionists – $31,110.
- General Office Clerks – $35,330
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants – $37,350.
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants – $63,110.
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants – $48,980
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks – $42,410
- Information Clerks – $36,920
- Customer Service Representatives – $35,830.
What is an administrative professional?
An administrative professional is a person who manages the daily office tasks of a company to help with the work processes of their coworkers. These daily tasks can include receiving guests, answering phone calls, responding to emails, filing paperwork or generating reports. As an administrative professional, you can pursue certifications to develop your administrative skills and certify your qualifications.
What Are The Best Certifications For Administrative Assistants? (Online)
1. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
What is CAPM certification? You can take the Certified Associate in Project Management exam through the Project Management Institute to certify your knowledge of people and project management. As one of the best certifications for administrative assistants, the exam is available online, and certification is valid for five years. As a prerequisite to the exam, you can have a high school diploma or equivalent along with 23 hours of education through the Project Management Institute’s project management basics courses found online.
2. HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP)
What is IPMA-CP certification? HR courses teach you hiring, retention and management practices for maximizing company resources. The International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) offers courses and conferences on HR administration and management. The HR Certified Professional certification is an entry and mid-level test that requires you to take IPMA-HR’s Public Sector HR essentials course. IPMA-CP certification is valid for three years, which you can recertify through attending HR courses and conferences.
3. Administrative Assistant Certification
The National Career Certification Board (NCCB) offers the Administrative Assistant Certification exam, which you can take online with an artificial intelligence proctoring software to oversee your test. To prepare for the certification exam, you can purchase a practice exam with two tests with three opportunities to pass them, each without a time limit. After completing your practice exams and preparation, you can sign up and pay for the certification exam that comprises 80 questions with a two-hour time limit.
4. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS).
What is MOS certification? Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exams don’t have prerequisites for you to take one of their certification tests. You can choose which version of the Microsoft Office suites and programs you want to take the exam for, and it’s available online with a virtual proctor or in-person at a test center. These exams have a combination of multiple-choice, short answer and simulation questions to test your knowledge of Microsoft Office software and you can receive a certificate for each program you pass.
5. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)
What is CAP certification? The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IIAP) offers a Certified Administrative Professional exam twice per year, once in the fall and once in spring. As a prerequisite, you can have a bachelor’s degree with two years of work experience, an associate degree with three years of experience or four years of administrative professional work. To apply for the CAP test, you can apply with your work experience and educational background for verification. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) accredits CAP exam certification, which is valid for three years.
6. Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE)
The American Society of Administrative Professionals offers the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence credential to certify that you’ve developed administrative skills that can be valuable to employers. PACE certification enrollment includes four learning modules covering communication, digital management, people management and project management, along with a study guide to help you prepare for the multiple-choice exam.
7. HR Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP)
As one of the best certifications for administrative assistants, IPMA-HR has a higher level of certification for senior professionals, which is valid for three years. HR Senior Certified Professional is for senior-level HR administrative professionals such as managers, directors and executives. As a prerequisite to the exam, you can either take IPMA-HR’s Developing Competencies for HR success course or submit an online application.
8. HR Certified Professional (IPMA-CP).
What is IPMA-CP certification? The International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) offers courses and conferences on HR administration and management. The HR Certified Professional certification is an entry and mid-level test that requires you to take IPMA-HR’s Public Sector HR essentials course. IPMA-CP certification is valid for three years, which you can recertify through attending HR courses and conferences.
9. Fundamental Payroll Certification (FPC).
FPC is another best certifications for administrative assistants. You can get a Fundamental Payroll Certification through the American Payroll Association (APA) with or without APA membership. The exam is available for you to take online in the fall or spring and it includes information on updated payroll regulations. To take the exam, you can apply on the APA website during the registration period for the season you want to take your exam.
Administrative Assistant Courses
- Filing Systems: The main focus of this class will be on records management through computer-based or paper filing systems.
- Introduction to Law: To prepare for a job in a legal office, you can study basic law concepts, such as contracts and criminal law.
- Spreadsheets: In this course, you’ll explore the features of a popular spreadsheet program and learn to work with databases.
- Medical Terminology: Becoming familiar with the vocabulary often used in healthcare settings will be helpful if you want to work in a medical or dental office.
- Typing Skills: You’ll become more proficient at typing quickly and accurately, and you’ll take typing tests to demonstrate your skills.
- Bookkeeping and Money Matters: You can learn basic billing, payment, and banking techniques for office settings, and you may discuss handling payroll as well.
- Business Foundations: An introductory course will introduce you to modern office concepts and set the stage for the upcoming classes in your certification program.
- Business Writing: This course will teach you to be professional in your written communication, including memos, letters, and emails.
- Communication Skills: You’ll practice skills for speaking to coworkers and customers, and you’ll also work on giving presentations.
- Office Computers and Applications: After studying computer hardware, online resources, and common word processing and presentation programs, you can become adept at using office technology.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Administrative Assistant Certificate?
Administrative assistant certification typically takes 5 to 16 months to complete. Programs can vary greatly in length, depending on how many courses they include and how long their classes are. Some administrative assistant schools want students to earn 12 to 18 credit hours. Other programs involve earning 30 credit hours or more. With a longer program, you won’t have your certificate in hand quite as quickly. On the other hand, you’ll have time to learn more things, practice more skills, and maybe even add more credentials to your resume.
Types of administrative certifications
The categories of administrative certifications you can pursue include:
1. Project management:
As an administrative professional, you can specialize in managing projects and organizing personnel. A project management certification can provide you with opportunities to oversee larger-scale teams and developments.
2. Office software:
Work processes use different office software systems to conduct daily responsibilities and task automation. Certified knowledge in specific business programs can be beneficial for you to adapt to the different systems that companies use.
3. Human resources:
HR is an important part of business administration and the optimization of company resources. Having an HR certification focuses your administrative work on managing personnel distribution, training and hiring.
4. Assisting:
You can find different levels of employment as an administrative assistant, such as general or executive positions. Administrative assisting certifications also apply to specific industries, like medical or legal practices.
5. Payroll:
You can focus your administrative work on particular business aspects like payroll. Payroll programs teach you how to process and record billings, payments, receivables and other company finances.
Is an Administrative Assistant Certificate Worth It?
Yes, an administrative assistant certificate is worth it for many students. Administrative assistant programs can provide valuable training for careers in today’s office settings. With just a few months of study, you have the opportunity to become proficient with office applications and filing systems. You can learn more about interpersonal communication, professional writing, and customer service. These versatile skills can be applied in many office settings.
Top 10 US Schools Offering Online Administrative Assistant Certification Programs
1. Harper College
Harper College’s Administrative Assistant Certificate program is designed to help students develop their proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets, and other administrative software. It consists of 17 credit hours that are not stackable to a degree. It can help prepare you for work as an administrative assistant, customer service representative, and office manager.
2. Lehman College
Another school with the best administrative assistant certifications online is Lehman College. It offers an Administrative Assistant Certificate. Coursework covers effective business communication and how to use common office software applications, such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. Each course requires just six sessions, and all courses combined usually take 62 hours to complete. All courses are currently available online.
3. Minnesota State Community and Technical College
Minnesota State Community and Technical College has an Administrative Office Assistant program. It is 18 credit hours long and can be completed online. Specializations are available in Finance, Human Resources, and Law. All three programs can help you develop the skills you need to ensure that an office operates efficiently.
4. Umpqua Community College
Another school with the best administrative assistant certifications online is Umpqua Community College It’s Office Assistant Certificate usually takes one year to complete. This is a convenient, flexible online program with four start dates per year. It is designed to provide training in basic office skills and business knowledge and can help prepare you for entry-level office positions, such as clerk, receptionist, or office assistant.
5. Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University offers an Administrative Assistant Certificate that is entirely online. All courses must be completed within 18 months of starting the program. Core courses include Administrative Assistant Fundamentals, Computer Skills for the Workplace, Keys to Effective Communication, and Effective Business Writing. Students also choose two electives to complete.
6. Delta College – Office Assistant Advanced Certificate
Delta College offers an Office Assistant Advanced Certificate. Classes are small and incorporate the best technology. This program is often a good fit for people who like working with computers and helping others. It is designed to help students develop their skills at bookkeeping, word processing, and related tasks.
7. Kennesaw State University
Kennesaw State University’s College of Professional Education offers an Administrative Assistant Certificate that can be completed entirely online. It requires three courses which are Administrative Assistant Fundamentals, Administrative Assistant Applications, and Interpersonal Communications. The courses cover information and records management and communications technology. These courses can help prepare you for the Certified Administrative Professional exam.
8. Lone Star College – Administrative Support Certificate Level II
Lone Star College offers a 2 year Administrative Support Certificate that can be earned online or on campus. Coursework covers business keyboarding, business math, word processing, spreadsheets, and administrative office procedures. The program can help prepare you for work as a receptionist, office assistant, administrative assistant, or office application specialist.
9. Northeast Community College – Administrative Professional Certificate.
Northeast Community College offers an Administrative Professional Certificate. The program requires 17 credit hours. Course options include Human Relations and Ethics, Excel Spreadsheet Applications, Introduction to Windows Operating System, and Microsoft Word I. Business English and Administrative Professional Procedures are also available course options.
10. University of North Georgia
It also offers one of the best administrative assistant certifications online. The University of North Georgia offers an online Administrative Assistant Certificate. It requires five 6 week courses. The courses are Administrative Assistant Fundamentals, Administrative Assistant Applications, Interpersonal Communication, Writing Essentials, and Building Teams That Work. The
Top Skills Needed For An Administrative Certifications
1. Data entry.
An administrative professional documents important business information and data. They can quickly enter data and review it to remove any information errors or discrepancies.
2. Time management.
Administrative professionals ensure routine business functions operate smoothly and that they can manage their own time along with assisting team members with their scheduling. Managing time includes understanding how to prioritize certain tasks and how to multitask to optimize their time.
3. File management
As an administrative professional, you oversee physical and digital filing systems to ensure that files are located quickly. Managing files includes auditing, sorting, updating and organizing them so important information is accessible for authorized personnel.
4. Communication.
Administrative professionals often communicate with other professionals and guests to respond to inquires and set up meetings. This verbal or written communication is clear and concise to ensure there is mutual understanding between all parties involved.
5. Customer service
As an administrative professional, you may serve as the point of contact between company personnel and guests. Receiving guests and directing them through the proper channels requires well-developed customer service skills.
What’s the Difference Between a Certificate vs. Degree in Administrative Assistant Studies?
For An Associate Degree in Administrative Assistant
- Opportunities for office administration jobs and potential for management roles.
- Possibility of transferring credits into a bachelors degree program.
- About 24 classes on both general education and business topics.
- Around 24 months of study.
For A Certificate Program in Administrative Assistant.
- Job opportunities in entry-level office roles.
- Option to continue your studies with additional certification programs.
- About 5 or more classes that are focused on business topics
- Around 5 months to 16 months of study.
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