Online administrative assistant certificate and associate degree programs are fairly common. These 1- and 2-year programs offer options to students who want to learn from home or complete a course or two. Programs are even available to students who want careers in the medical or legal fields.
How to Select an Online Administrative Assistant School or College
Field of Study
Students interested in administrative assistant school or college programs might want to first consider whether they would rather work in the business, medical or legal field. Some programs prepare graduates for administrative assistant positions in accounting departments, government agencies or insurance firms. Other programs are geared toward students who want to work in doctors' offices, clinics, hospitals, nursing homes or public health agencies. Programs are also available to those interested in working in law offices as legal administrative assistants.
Level of Award
Generally, both certificate and associate degree programs prepare graduates for entry-level positions. However, an associate degree program usually contains additional general education course requirements that take an extra semester or two to complete. According to some schools, graduates of these programs may need less on-the-job training upon employment. The additional curriculum can also prepare students to transfer their credits to a 4-year program, if they're so inclined. Students might want to consider their career goals before enrolling.
Program Type
Another consideration when choosing a school is whether the program is available in an online or hybrid format. Students interested in business administrative assistant programs may find that both certificate and associate degree programs can be completed entirely online. Medical and legal administrative assistant certificate programs are also available entirely online. However, associate degree programs in these fields are more commonly available as hybrid programs.
List of Common Online Administrative Assistant Programs
Online Administrative Assistant Certificate of Completion
Certificate programs generally include coursework in the areas of computer technology and basic office procedures. Students can learn to use Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint software. They may also gain skills in the areas of document design, records management, keyboarding and customer service. Students can download materials for these programs via course management systems, such as Blackboard. This software also allows them to participate in online chats.
Online Medical Office Assistant Certificate of Completion
Students in medical office assistant programs learn keyboarding and word processing skills. In administrative and records management courses, they focus on procedures for filing medical records, coding diagnostic procedures and submitting insurance claims. Additional topics include medical law and ethics, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology. Online delivery systems used by these programs allow students to conduct research, send e-mails and take part in online discussions.
Online Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate of Completion
These programs include coursework in legal research, legal terminology and legal documentation in addition to keyboarding and computer software courses. Some programs also include introductory courses in business, civil or criminal law. Students may access online materials for these courses through instructional software, such as Desire2Learn.
Online Administrative Assistant Associate of Applied Science
Associate degree programs can include topics in accounting, human relations, computer transcription technology, information management and proofreading. General education courses in math, composition, communications, social science and the humanities are also included. These programs also use course management systems, such as Blackboard.
Online Medical Administrative Assistant Associate of Applied Science
In addition to medical law and records management courses, these programs may offer students the opportunity to select concentration areas in front office, medical transcription or third party reimbursement procedures. Students may also study computer software applications, such as Excel and Access. Before participating in a program's discussion groups or message boards, students may have to undergo online orientations to become familiar with a course management system.
Online Legal Administrative Assistant Associate of Applied Science
This associate degree program is a 2-year program that delves into advanced topics in legal proofreading and legal transcription. Students may also enroll in project management or office accounting electives. Online course materials, such as lecture notes or exams, are generally available through course management programs.
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