Find out the job duties and employment outlook of executive assistants. Learn the education requirements to become a certified administrative professional.
What are the Certification Requirements for Executive Assistants?
While you do not need to be certified to become an executive assistant, you can find certification exams through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Through the IAAP, you can earn the Certified Administrative Professional credential by taking a 4-part exam that covers office technology, administration concepts and organization management techniques. According to the IAAP, certification can enhance your skills and better qualify you for some positions. In some cases, certification can even result in a salary increase.
To qualify for the Certified Administrative Professional exam, you are required to have at least four years of work experience or three years experience and an associate's degree. If you hold a bachelor's degree, you'd need only two years of work history. Online executive assistant certification is not available; you must take certification tests at testing sites provided by IAAP.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Certification Options</b></td><td> CAP certification available through the IAAP</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Common Courses</b></td><td> Accounting, desktop publishing, office procedures, word processing, business communication</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Online Availability</b></td><td> Fully and partially online associate's degrees are available; certification cannot be completed online</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Continuing Education</b></td><td> Bachelor's in Business Administration are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)</b></td><td>$63,110* (<i>for executive administrative assistants</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2019-29)</b></td><td>-20%* (<i>for all executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoesAnOnlineAssociateSDegreeProgramPrepareMeForCertification">How Does an Online Associate's Degree Program Prepare Me for Certification?</h3><p>Online executive assistant associate's degree programs provide training on current office technology and administrative practices. To earn an online executive assistant associate's degree, you can expect to take a combination of general education and focused executive assistant courses. You'll complete your degree in a minimum of two years.
</p><p>In addition to general education courses like humanities, English and math, you can take classes in desktop publishing, office procedures and accounting. Spreadsheet creation and manipulation, word processing and business communications are all covered during the associate's degree program. Training received in the online program can help you pass the exam to become a Certified Administrative Professional.
</p><h3 id="section---HowDoOnlineProgramsWork">How Do Online Programs Work?</h3><p>Executive assistant diplomas and associate degrees can be earned entirely online, or you can choose to take a combination of on-campus and online courses. If you choose to complete your degree entirely online, you can expect to take proctored exams at a nearby testing facility or on-campus. You may also have to attend on-campus orientation. Your coursework and lectures can be found on Internet-based course management software; you may also participate in threaded discussions and chat sessions. Instructors are commonly available for questions via e-mail or live chat.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatCanIDoWithThisDegreeAndCertification">What Can I Do With This Degree and Certification?</h3><p>You can use your degree to obtain certification, pursue work as an executive assistant or transfer to complete a bachelor's degree in business administration. Executive assistants provide advanced office support for organizational managers and executives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as an executive assistant you can expect to arrange meetings, review and prepare reports and supervise administrative staff. According to the BLS, in 2020, the median wage for executive assistants was $63,110.</p>
