Administrative assistants are responsible for helping a business run smoothly. They do things like answer phones and emails, take messages, and schedule meetings.
Most administrative assistants start their careers by earning an associate degree. Keep reading to discover the best online schools for administrative assistant training.
Best Online Schools for Administrative Assistant Training
Administrative assistant programs are usually offered as associate degrees, typically through community, career, or technical colleges.
A few of these colleges offer online administrative assistant programs in the United States. We've listed our top choices below in alphabetical order.
1. Chemeketa Community College
Chemeketa Community College is a public community college in Salem, Oregon. It offers multiple online programs for administrative assistants.
The two-year administrative office professional Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares students for positions in administrative support.
It includes courses like:
- Business Applications Using Mathematics
- Business Communications
- Organization Performance and Customer Service
- Professional Communication Skills
Students who want a more specialized degree can earn their AAS in accounting administrative assistant or medical administrative assistant online as well.
Additionally, online certificates in business technology, legal administrative assistant, and office fundamentals are also available.
2. Chippewa Valley Technical College
Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public technical college based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It offers an online administrative professional associate degree.
This is a 60-credit program that takes two years to complete.
It includes courses such as:
- Customer Service Foundations
- Introduction to Human Resources
- Payroll Accounting
Courses are online, but an in-person internship is required during the second semester of the program.
Students can also earn online office assistant or office receptionist diplomas in a year or less. The credits earned in these programs can be put toward the credit requirements for the associate degree.
3. East Mississippi Community College
East Mississippi Community College is a public community college in Scooba, Mississippi. It offers an online Associate of Applied Science degree in administrative office technology.
The degree requires 60 credit hours, which takes two years to complete.
Courses offered in the program include:
- Communication Essentials
- Human Resource Management
- Microsoft Access
- Social Media Management
The program also offers a 30-credit career certificate and a 45-credit technical certificate, both of which are also available 100% online.
4. Jamestown Community College
Jamestown Community College is a public community college in Jamestown, New York. It's a member of the State University of New York (SUNY) system.
The college offers an administrative professional Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree both on campus and online.
This two-year program includes courses like:
- Computer Applications Software
- Keyboarding/Word Processing
- Management and Organizational Behavior
- Word Processing Production
An in-person internship is required. The majority of internships are offered in New York, but the college also offers internships with companies around the world, including Disney.
5. Minnesota West Community and Technical College
Minnesota West Community and Technical College is a public community college with campus locations across western Minnesota.
It offers an online administrative assistant Associate of Applied Science degree. This is a 60-credit, two-year program.
Courses include:
- Customer Service for Office Professionals
- Database Concepts and Applications
- Office Accounting Concepts
- Spreadsheet Concepts and Applications
This program is fully online and does not require an internship. A one-year online administrative assistant diploma is also available.
6. Northeast Community College
Northeast Community College is a public community college with campuses throughout Nebraska. It offers two online associate degrees and an online certificate for administrative professionals.
Students can earn either an administrative professional Associate of Art (AA) or an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree online.
Both require a minimum of 61 credits and include core courses like:
- Advanced Word Certification
- Customer Service and Business Etiquette
- Excel Spreadsheet Applications
- Principles of Management
AA students can opt for a concentration in accounting, while AAS students can choose a concentration in accounting or business. An internship is required for AAS students.
The online certificate is a general administrative certificate and requires 17 credits.
7. Northwood Technical College
Northwood Technical College is a public community college with multiple campus locations throughout Wisconsin. It offers an online administrative coordinator associate degree.
This is a 60-credit, two-year program that includes courses such as:
- Advanced Spreadsheets and Analytics
- Meeting and Event Planning
- Proofreading for the Office
- Web and Social Media Technologies
Students conclude their degree program with the Virtual Administrative Professional Capstone, which is designed to provide students with the experience to simulate tasks performed in the field.
FAQs About Online Schools for Administrative Assistant Training
Below, you'll find the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about online administrative assistant training programs.
What Degree Do I Need to Be an Administrative Assistant?
Most administrative assistants have associate degrees in areas like administrative assistant or administrative professional.
Some employers may prefer you to have a bachelor's degree in a field like business or accounting.
Can I Earn an Administrative Assistant Degree Fully Online?
Most administrative assistant programs offer courses online, but require you to be in person for an internship. Fully online programs are rare, but they do exist.
How Long Are Administrative Assistant Degree Programs?
Most administrative assistant programs are associate degrees, which usually take about two years to complete.
If you decide to earn a bachelor's degree, those programs usually take about four years to complete on a full-time schedule.
Find the Best Online Schools for Administrative Assistant Training
Several colleges in the United States offer online training for administrative assistants. Check out our top choices above to find the right one for you today.
