Online Receptionist Courses and Schools
Prepare for a career as a receptionist through online learning. Explore available programs and see how to choose a school. Get program details, like what you'll study and how online learning is conducted.
What You Need to Know
You can begin your career as a receptionist with basic training, or you can choose to complete special training that will allow you to work in medical, dental or veterinary offices. These training programs are available at the certificate level and prepare you for clerical tasks in the office environment of your choosing.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Programs</b></td><td>Undergraduate certificate programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Courses</b></td><td>Word processing, typing, office management, customer service, business communications, medical terminology, ethics, accounting, veterinary assisting skills and animal safety practices</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Schools</b></td><td> Consider schools that offer special training for medical, dental or veterinary offices. Some schools allow you to save your certificate credits to apply towards degrees</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---WhatTypesOfOnlineReceptionistProgramsAreAvailable">What Types of Online Receptionist Programs Are Available?</h3><p>Most online receptionist courses are available as part of an undergraduate certificate program. You can usually complete these programs within 2-3 semesters. Several schools offer fully online curricula, though some might deliver courses in a blended format, requiring you to attend one or two classes on campus.
</p><p>You'll find many schools offer programs with a specific focus. For example, you could learn to provide receptionist duties in a business, medical or veterinary office. These types of programs combine standard receptionist duties with industry training specific to the type of office where you'd like to work.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCouldILearnOnline">What Could I Learn Online?</h3><p>Your actual classes would depend on the program you enroll in. A general receptionist certificate program can train you in word processing and business communications. You might also learn basic computer skills. These topics could be covered as well:
</p><ul><li>Typing
</li><li>Office management
</li><li>Customer service
</li><li>Filing techniques
</li><li>Time management
</li><li>Business English
</li><li>Office finances
</li><li>Administrative office procedures
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatOtherTopicsMightIBeAbleToFind">What Other Topics Might I Be Able to Find?</h3><p>Like standard programs, medical or veterinary office receptionist courses provide you with instruction in fundamental receptionist duties. In a veterinary receptionist program, you could participate in an internship that gives you actual experience in an office setting and applies the credit toward your certificate program. The following topics might also be covered in your program:
</p><ul><li>Medical terminology
</li><li>Ethics
</li><li>Accounting procedures in a healthcare setting
</li><li>Veterinary assisting skills
</li><li>Animal safety practices
</li></ul><h3 id="section---HowDoIChooseASchool">How Do I Choose a School?</h3><p>Before looking for a program, you should first decide on the type of environment where you'd like to work. Though receptionist programs all teach the fundamentals of office operations, you could qualify for a wider variety of positions with some specialized training for medical, dental or other specific office settings. Some schools also allow you to apply credit you earn in a receptionist certificate program toward a degree. For example, you could receive a certificate in medical office reception that prepares you for an entry-level job in a physician's office, then transfer your college credit to a physician's assistant degree program when you're ready to advance your career.
</p><p>Consider some of the following schools for your courses:
</p><ul><li>U.S. Career Institute
</li><li>Penn Foster Career School
</li><li>Foothill College
</li><li>Purdue Global
</li><li>University of Alaska Fairbanks
</li></ul><h3 id="section---WhatSRequiredToGetStarted">What's Required to Get Started?</h3><p>Like on-campus programs, your online courses usually have a specific start and end date, though your study schedule may be completely flexible. Some programs might recommend that you have basic computer competence so you can successfully access your course materials and submit assignments online. You might need to complete an orientation course that outlines your distance learning program. While you'll usually learn to use office software applications, you should be familiar with the essential functions of word processing or spreadsheet programs.</p>