New York City Schools with Executive Assistant Programs
Executive assistants, including those who work in administrative and secretarial positions, perform a variety of support functions for offices and senior-level professionals. Some of their responsibilities may involve preparing and reviewing documents and reports, conducting research, scheduling meetings and supervising clerical workers. The minimum requirements for obtaining a position as an executive assistant typically include a high school diploma and computer, English and office skills. The City University of New York (CUNY) has three community colleges that offer associate's degree programs in office management and technology. Applicants should be aware in advance that, depending on their performance on the ACT, SAT or New York State Regent's exams, they may be required to take the CUNY Assessment Tests and enroll in remedial courses as needed.
Below are summaries of the certificate and/or degree programs at each of the three colleges, as well as a comparison table with key school facts. A description of three other schools in the New York City area that provide training for executive assistants can be found at the end of the article.
- CUNY Hostos Community College about six miles from downtown New York City, offers certificate and degree programs for those seeking to become executive assistants.
- Located about eight miles from New York City's downtown, CUNY Bronx Community College is situated on a 43-acre campus on the Harlem River. At the college, students can earn an associate's degree in office automation and technology.
- An associate's degree in office automation and technology is also available at CUNY Kingsborough Community College in Brooklyn, located approximately 12 miles from downtown New York City. At the waterfront campus, aspiring executive assistants enjoy low student-teacher ratios and technologically up-to-date classrooms.
Comparison of Schools
While the three city community colleges have similar tuition rates and offer open admissions, they differ in terms of student enrollment and graduation rates. Note that over 75% of first-time students at all three colleges receive some form of financial aid.
| CUNY Hostos Community College | CUNY Bronx Community College | CUNY Kingsborough Community College | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 2-year; public | 2-year; public | 2-year; public |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 5,441* | 7,265* | 14,214* |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large city | Large city |
| Tuition and Fees (2022-2023) | $5,208 for in-state students; $8,088 for out-of-state students* | $5,206 for in-state students; $8,086 for out-of-state students* | $5,252 for in-state students; $8,132 for out-of-state students* |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021) | 89%* | 82%* | 82%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2021) | n/a (open admissions)* | n/a (open admissions)* | n/a (open admissions)* |
| Retention Rate (Fall 2020 to Fall 2021) | 52% for full-time students; 34% for part-time students* | 52% for full-time students; 41% for part-time students* | 61% for full-time students; 42% for part-time students* |
| Graduation Rate (students who enrolled in Fall 2018) | 21%* | 22%* | 32%* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
CUNY Hostos Community College
At CUNY Hostos Community College, students can pursue a certificate or associate's degree in a related area. The degree program focuses on office technology, while the certificate program provides basic studies for administrative assistants or medical office managers
Office Assistant Certificate
In this 30-credit program, students can take courses in keyboarding, document formatting, office systems and computer software packages. In the administrative assistant option, courses are taken in entrepreneurship and professional office management. Two-course tracks are also offered for legal administrative assistants and medical office managers.
Associate of Applied Science in Office Technology
Offering the same three tracks as found in the certificate program, the AAS program also provides courses in introductory business, business communications and management principles. A co-op work experience is also taken. Those in the administrative assistant program can choose to take courses in business law, business applications or accounting.
CUNY Bronx Community College
The Business and Information Systems Department at Bronx Community College offers a specialized Associate of Science program in business administration, as well as a number of Associate of Applied Science degrees in accounting, computer information systems, marketing, office administration and paralegal studies. Although the programs are similar, students who pursue an Associate of Applied Science may need to complete additional courses if they are interested in transferring to a 4-year college.
Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration and Technology
This program provides students with the background they need to obtain administrative assistant positions in a variety of office settings. The curriculum covers a breadth of office information systems, and instruction takes place in the most up-to-date facilities. Career-oriented students are taught how to work with a number of computer software programs, including those related to business and email correspondence, multimedia projects and Web page applications. The core requirements include courses in composition and rhetoric, statistics and interpersonal communication.
In addition to introductory topics in business and the Internet, students learn about administrative and supervisory procedures. Coursework for the major emphasizes document formatting and processing, and this gives future executive assistants a chance to obtain training in database and spreadsheet applications, keyboarding and transcription. As they become faster and more efficient, they can also learn how to produce more advanced documents and prepare business presentations. The program culminates in a cooperative work experience.
CUNY Kingsborough Community College
At the Department of Business, undergraduates can pursue transferable degree programs in areas such as business, office administration or accounting, as well as a certificate in entrepreneurial studies. Student services include a Career Development Center, where new job seekers can learn to write cover letters, resumes and thank you notes.
Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration and Technology
The 2-year program in office administration provides students with the opportunity to specialize in one of four areas: school, medical, word processing or legal. To fulfill the general education requirements, administrative majors can choose courses in the arts, behavioral science, language and literature, math, science or social science. General departmental requirements include three sequential courses in computer keyboarding, as well as those related to communication skills and office procedures.
Those who concentrate on educational office support pursue special topics in school secretarial work, accounts and records. Medical office majors focus on medical information processing, computer applications and electronic transcription. Students who specialize in word processing take courses in photodigital illustration and office systems, while those in the legal concentration will study legal terminology and business law.
Other School Options
In addition to the community colleges listed above, CUNY Queensborough Community College in Bayside, Queens, offers an Associate of Applied Science in Office Administration and Technology. Nassau Community College in Garden City, NY, about 19 miles from the city, offers certificate and associate's degree programs in administrative business technology; students can choose focuses in medical, legal or administrative support.
