Administrative assistants are the quiet employees that keep an office running. They're responsible for a range of important tasks necessary for the day-to-day operations of an office.
Many administrative assistants boost their career chances with certifications. Below, you'll find more information about these certification and certificate programs.
Top Administrative Assistant Certification and Certificate Programs
There are several programs that allow you to earn an administrative assistant certification. We've listed some of our top choices below in alphabetical order.
1. American Society of Administrative Professionals
The American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP) is a global community dedicated to providing the latest training and resources to administrative professionals.
It offers a training and certification program called the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE). This program takes about a year to finish and is taught through an interactive e-learning platform.
The curriculum is made up of four modules:
- Interpersonal Communication
- Task and Project Management
- Computer and Internet Technology
- Management Skills
No experience is necessary to enroll in this program, and you can enroll and begin at any time. After passing the final exam, you'll receive a digital certificate.
You'll need to renew your certification every two years, which can be done by completing continuing education credits and paying a recertification fee.
2. Delta College
Delta College is a public community college in University Center, MI, a town right on the Saginaw Bay. It offers an office assistant advanced certificate.
This program requires 27 total credits and takes about a half a year to complete. Required courses include:
- Business Communication
- Business Ethics
- Document Processing
- Records Management
3. Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State College Southeast is a public technical community college with two campuses in southeast Minnesota. It offers an online office assistant certificate.
The program requires 27 total credits. It includes courses such as:
- Business Communications
- Customer Service Concepts
- Integrated Office Skills
- Office Procedures
The college also offers a 60-credit Associate of Applied Science administrative assistant degree. Credits from the office assistant certificate can be used towards the associate degree program.
4. Northeast Community College
Northeast Community College is a public community college system with multiple campuses in northeast Nebraska. It offers an administrative professional certificate that's available online.
A minimum of 17 credit hours are required to earn this certificate. Courses offered include:
- Business Communications
- Customer Services Business Etiquette
- Human Relations and Ethics
- Introduction to Business
Students can also earn an Associate of Applied Science degree with a general administrative assistant concentration through Northeast Community College.
5. Umpqua Community College
Umpqua Community College is a public community college in western Oregon. The college boasts a large campus and offers an online office assistant certificate.
The program prepares students for entry-level office positions and takes about a year to complete.
47 total credits are required and courses include:
- Customer Service
- General Office Procedures
- Interpersonal Communications
- Records Management
6. University of North Georgia
The University of North Georgia is a public university with campuses throughout Georgia. It's part of the University System of Georgia and offers an administrative assistant certificate.
The online program requires five courses, each of which takes six weeks to complete. The five courses are:
- Administrative Assistant Fundamentals
- Administrative Assistant Applications
- Interpersonal Communication
- Writing Essentials
- Building Teams That Work
Courses must be completed in the order listed above. Upon completing all five courses, you'll be issued a certificate.
7. Valdosta State University
Valdosta State University is another member of the University System of Georgia. It's located in southern Georgia and offers an online professional certificate for administrative assistants.
A minimum of 30 credit hours are required. Students are expected to finish within two years, but as some courses are self-paced, some students may choose to finish faster.
The curriculum is divided into three modules:
- Communication
- Leadership and Personal Development
- Workplace Technology
8. William Rainey Harper College
William Rainey Harper College, often just called Harper College, is a public community college in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. It offers an office assistant certificate and an administrative assistant certificate.
The office assistant certificate requires eight credits. Upon completion, students can move on to the 17-credit administrative assistance certificate.
The administrative assistant certificate includes courses such as:
- Computer and Digital Literacy
- Database Software
- Introduction to Business Organization
- Presentation Software
Credits earned in these programs are not eligible to be put toward a degree.
FAQs About Administrative Assistant Certification and Certificate Programs
Discover the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about administrative assistant certification and certificate programs.
What Does an Administrative Assistant Do?
Administrative assistants are responsible for routine clerical and organizational tasks in an office setting.
Job duties can vary, but often include answering calls, taking messages, scheduling appointments, arranging meetings, and basic bookkeeping.
Do I Need a Degree to Become an Administrative Assistant?
Most administrative assistants do not need a degree, though this will depend on your industry and specific role.
Some businesses may prefer to hire candidates with degrees. Many colleges offer associate degrees for administrative assistants, or you can major in a field like business.
What Skills Do I Need to Become an Administrative Assistant?
The skills needed for an administrative assistant may vary slightly depending on the role. General skills for administrative assistants include:
- decision-making
- interpersonal skills
- organization
- writing and communication skills
Earn an Administrative Assistant Certification
The programs listed above are all excellent options for earning an administrative assistant certification. Check them out and start your new career journey today.