What Administrative Office Management Degree Programs Are Available?

Administrative office management prepares students to work in an office or business environment in a number of different capacities. The primary degree for this career is an Associate of Science in Administrative Office Management. Students can also consider a degree in business management.

<h3 id="section---DegreeProgramOverview"> Degree Program Overview</h3> <p>A degree in administrative office management will provide you with the skills to oversee a number of employees in a variety of office settings. Below are the different types of administrative office management programs, and some specifics about each. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutAdministrativeOfficeManagementDegreePrograms"> Important Facts About Administrative Office Management Degree Programs</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Degree / Certificate Levels </td><td> Undergraduate certificate, associate's degree and bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td> Prerequisites </td><td> High school diploma, or equivalent</td></tr> <tr><td> Online Availability </td><td> Fully available for the associate's degree program</td></tr> <tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> Office manager, administrative assistant, office clerk, office support specialist, receptionist, transcriptionist, legal or medical office assistant</td></tr> <tr><td>Median Salary (2021)</td><td>$39,680 <i>(Secretaries and Administrative Assistants)</i></td></tr> <tr><td>Job Outlook (2021-2031)</td><td> 8% decline <i>(Secretaries and Administrative Assistants)</i></td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---AssociateOfScienceInAdministrativeOfficeManagement">Associate of Science in Administrative Office Management</h3> <p>This degree program focuses primarily on the technical skills needed to work in a modern office. Students learn how to use all of the major computer applications that they will encounter in the office, including word processors, spreadsheets, databases, the Internet, e-mail applications, desktop publishing and presentation software, such as PowerPoint. This degree may include courses in written and oral communication skills. Depending on the school, most programs include business and finance courses to help students understand what is going on around them in an office. Typically, these courses cover basic business ethics and law, the basic elements of the market and possibly some microeconomics. A degree program may also include a course in job preparation to help students apply for jobs upon graduation. </p> <h3 id="section---AssociateOfScienceInBusinessManagement">Associate of Science in Business Management</h3> <p>Another option for those interested in administrative office management is earning an associate's degree in business management. These degree programs focus primarily on basic business and finance skills and assume a basic knowledge of the software applications and communication skills taught in an Associate of Science in Administrative Office Management program. Students will learn more about the vagaries of the market and more advanced macro- and microeconomics. Business courses may cover more specifics of different types of industries. This degree would be appropriate for a student with substantial experience in administrative office management looking to move to a higher-level position. </p> <h3 id="section---OtherDegrees">Other Degrees</h3> <p>Other options for students interested in administrative office management include associate degree programs for those who aspire to work in specific positions or with particular technologies. Examples include the following: </p> <ul><li><b>Administrative Legal Secretary Program:</b> The legal secretary program requires coursework in basic legal concepts and an understanding of legal documents. </li><li><b>Administrative Medical Secretary Program:</b> The medical secretary degree includes courses in medical terminology and in how to keep medical records. </li><li><b>Associate of Business in Computer Information Systems:</b> This degree focuses on the technological skills learned in the administrative office management degree. Students in this degree learn advanced techniques in creating complex documents and databases specifically for a business setting.</li></ul>