Essential Information
Upon enrolling in a certificate program for office administration, students learn about record-keeping, office management, and customer care in the business world. Options in general office administration, medical, or legal office procedures are available. Such programs can be completed in less than a year, and they require no more than a high school education or its equivalent to be admitted.
Certificate in Office Administration
The curriculum of an office administration program can focus on business skills, such as writing, communications, and mathematics, and on specific business-related activities, such as desktop publishing and office procedures. Medical or legal office administration programs will typically include courses in relevant terminology, as well as medical coding or legal transcription as they apply. Students learn to communicate effectively as part of an office team, manage time efficiently, organize an office space, and demonstrate knowledge of common office systems. Other topics covered in a program may include:
- Data processing
- Record management
- Customer service
- Computer information systems
- Proofreading and editing
- Spreadsheets
Popular Career Options
An office administration certificate program is designed to help students qualify for entry-level office positions. With some relevant job experience, they may be further qualified to advance to administrative or office management positions. Specific job titles that a certificate-holder may qualify for include administrative assistant, medical secretary, and legal secretary.
Employment Outlook and Salary Info
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for secretaries and administrative assistants are expected to decrease by 9% from 2019 to 2029 (www.bls.gov). In May of 2019, the BLS estimated that administrative assistants received an annual median wage of $38,850. Legal and medical secretaries earned median salaries of $48,980 and $37,350, respectively.
Continuing Education Information
A certificate program in office administration may allow students to transfer into an associate's degree program in office administration or a related field, which could help with career advancement. Individuals seeking advancement may also seek certification from professional organizations within the industry. Possible certifications are available through the International Association of Administrative Professionals and the International Virtual Assistants Association.
Office administration certificate programs teach students business skills and activities, including writing, record management, and office procedures. Graduates have various career options, including administrative assistant, medical secretary, and legal secretary.
