Administrative Office Assistant Bachelor's Degree Programs
Degree programs for aspiring administrative office assistants are primarily available at the associate's degree level rather than the bachelor's level. Certificate programs are also offered in this field. Find out what you'd learn in one of these programs, and check the availability of online learning options. Get info on the employment outlook and salary potential for administrative assistants.
<h3 id="section---AreAdministrativeOfficeAssistantBachelorSDegreeProgramsAvailable">Are Administrative Office Assistant Bachelor's Degree Programs Available?</h3>
<p>While bachelor's degrees are typically not available for aspiring administrative assistants, you can pursue an associate's degree or earn a certificate in this field. Available programs for administrative assistants can provide the training required to pursue office support positions. Associate's degrees can be earned in about two years; certificate programs take around one year to complete.
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<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Levels</b></td><td> Undergraduate certificate, associate's degree</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Business communication, database management, organizational strategies, office technology, 10-key operation</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Fully online and hybrid programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b> Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $40,990 (<i>for all secretaries and administrative assistants</i>) </td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
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<h3 id="section---WhatCanILearn">What Can I Learn?</h3>
<p>Certificate programs include training in business communication, 10-key operation and database management. In associate's degree programs, you can learn about office technology and organizational strategies in addition to taking general education courses. You can learn how to create websites, understand basic office management techniques and manipulate spreadsheets. Both certificate and associate's degree programs include courses in accounting or business math, basic operating systems and software applications.
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<h3 id="section---AreOnlineDegreesAvailable">Are Online Degrees Available?</h3>
<p>Online and hybrid <a href="https://Learn.org/articles/Administrative_Assistant_Job_Duties_Career_Outlook_and_Educational_Requirements.html">administrative assistant</a> programs are available. Programs that are entirely online allow you to fulfill requirements for certificates or degrees without any on-campus interaction. Hybrid programs require a combination of online and on-campus study. Both options provide the same education as fully on-campus programs; you can interact with instructors via online chat and discussion boards and access your coursework through online learning systems.
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<h3 id="section---WhereCanIUseThisDegree">Where Can I Use This Degree?</h3>
<p>Administrative assistants can work in a variety of office environments, including corporate offices, government environments, small businesses or schools. Opportunities are also available for virtual administrative assistants, working from a home-based office.
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<p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a job decline of nine percent is projected for secretaries and administrative assistants between 2019 and 2029 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The median salary for secretaries and administrative assistants in 2020 was $40,990, according to the BLS.</p>