Best Associate in Office Management Degree Programs

Most businesses (large or small) will need office and clerical work done, and this degree would provide the tools to help you succeed in such positions. If you want to work for a company but don't necessarily know in what capacity or if you want a degree that can be used almost anywhere, an office management associate degree may be a good fit. Getting an associate degree in office management may also help you determine what kind of office role you might be interested in pursuing in the future, such as being a personal assistant, office coordinator, or human resources assistant. Most programs will be full-time but may allow for part-time enrollment, and therefore can be done while working, though there may likely be a minimum hour requirement. If you're looking to continue your education after earning an associate degree, an office management degree can also be your initial boost onto the path to becoming a company executive.

When deciding which office management associate program is best for you, a degree program that offers internships or co-op job experience will give you a leg up against other job candidates once you graduate. Having experience with certain office systems is also crucial to many employers, so finding a program that not only teaches you interpersonal and management skills, but technical skills and systems knowledge as well is important. By the time the program is complete, students should have an understanding of financial, communication, marketing, interpersonal, and ethical business principles, practices, and skills. You should also have learned how to use different devices and systems within a business setting.

Some schools will have more flexibility, which opens the opportunity for working at the same time. As an example, some schools may offer both on-campus or online options, while others may offer classes during the day or at night in order to work with the diverse schedule needs a student may have. Some programs may also have multiple campuses, which would allow students to attend a campus closer to where they live. What kind of office you wish to work in will also make a difference in where you enroll. For instance, if you want to work in human resources as opposed to customer service, you'll want to check that the degree coursework and internship opportunities will align with your goal by including human resources-specific electives or job and internship placement.

Application and Admissions for Office Management Associate Degree Programs

Schools will often encourage students to tour the campus and speak with an admissions representative before applying. While not required, if you have the opportunity to do so it will certainly help with answering any questions you have about the program as well as showing greater interest which may help with admissions. Programs are typically open to new students, transfer students, and those wanting to further their existing careers by going back to school and won't require much more than a high school diploma or equivalent. Schools will want a copy of the high school diploma or GED as well as any existing transcripts or test scores if the student has taken the SAT or ACT. Some programs will have open enrollment or will have application deadlines not far from the start of the semester. Each school will have its own admissions deadlines, though, so be sure to get materials in on time.

Most office management associate degree programs are two-year programs that require around 60 credit hours for completion. The amount of time may vary depending on the number of credit hours taken per semester and whether the program offers courses in summer or winter as well as the normal fall and spring semesters. Taking on an internship or co-op job experience can also change the amount of time the degree program will take as students may need to work additional hours outside of normal classwork.

An associate degree in office management from a local community college typically includes lower tuition but this can vary based on several factors. There's often a difference between in-state (and even in-district) versus out-of-state tuition cost and student fees. In-district tuition can be as low as $100 per credit, while in-state tuition might land around $150 to $200. Out-of-state tuition is almost always more and can be north of $250 per credit hour.

You may also want to look at what fees will be applied, such as registration fees, textbook rental fees, campus parking fees, and technology fees which can add up to a few hundred additional dollars each semester when put together.

In an office management associate degree, you'll have a chance to learn about different aspects of project management, business leadership, human relations, and clerical skills and systems. Some schools will require a broad scope of topics within business, such as marketing and document processing, while some programs will offer these courses as electives rather than requirements. Many schools will also require courses on specific office systems like Microsoft Outlook.

Common coursework for an office management degree includes:

• Business Law/Ethics
• Business Mathematics
• Communication
• Professional Development
• Introduction to Human Resources

The obvious career path with an office management degree would be office manager. However, there are many positions where an associate degree in office management would be beneficial and may allow for higher pay. You can also take professional certification tests to prove your skill in an area or system. For example, by having certification as a Microsoft Office specialist, you can prove your skill with this commonly used business system and be more competitive as a possible hire.

Some jobs include bill and account collectors, bookkeeping and audit clerks, customer service representatives, financial or information clerks, receptionists, office managers, and administrative or office assistants. Positions as a receptionist or customer service representative are typically going to have a lower pay scale, with a median annual pay of $31,110 per year for receptionists and a median pay of $35,830 per year for customer service representatives.

Begin a Career as a Human Resources Information Clerk

An information clerk typically performs clerical and data work for many industries such as in a government building, healthcare facility, or hospitality service like a hotel. Taking and making phone calls to company employees, clients, or public individuals can also be part of the job and will require good communication and interpersonal skills.

According to 2020 numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median pay was $36,920 per year for information clerk positions. Currently, the job outlook for information clerks is predicted to decline -3%. Most information clerk positions would only require a high school diploma or equivalent, but working as a human resources assistant will generally need an associate degree.

Begin a Career as an Administrative Assistant

An administrative assistant position can be general or industry-specific, such as a legal or medical secretary and so on. Often only a high school degree or equivalent is required, but if the position is industry-specific, additional experience or education may be required. Executive administrative assistants, for example, would usually be expected to have some college experience and several years of related work experience, so it's important when looking into an administrative position to check the requirements. Typically an administrative assistant is one who performs clerical duties and uses good judgment and communication to prioritize tasks, prepare documents, interact with company clients, and keep schedules.

The BLS reported in 2020 that the annual median pay was $40,990 for secretary and administrative assistant positions. The job outlook is predicted to have a -9% decline in the future.

The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) is the only organization that accredits business programs at the associate level. Its accreditation looks at faculty quality, curriculum and other markers of success. Choosing a school without this accreditation doesn't mean you're going to get a bad education but finding an office management degree with ACBSP accreditation may give you a better chance of getting a quality business education.

Office and business management degrees can range from an associate to a doctorate. Higher-level degrees will often be called something different, such as a degree in management, business administration, management science, or organizational management. There is also a range of certificates that will allow you to hone your skills or system knowledge. To determine what degree level you need to achieve, students may wish to consider what career options are available with each degree level.

Bachelor's Degrees in Office Management

When pursuing a bachelor's degree in office management, it would be a good idea to pick a specific focus you can choose your classes around or look for a program that has more courses geared towards that specific focus, such as marketing, real estate, human resources, etc. Bachelor's degree programs in office management typically take four years and around 120 credits to complete. The degree should especially focus on building skills in management and leadership and may include management theories or research. Degrees at this level have titles like Bachelor of Science in Office Administration and Technology or Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management.

Master's Degrees in Office Management

A master's degree in office management will focus on having the high-level expertise and technical knowledge needed to manage a business and/or personnel from a higher position, such as on the corporate or executive level. Students pursuing a master's degree in office management may be asked to pick a specific focus for their degree and will typically study management theories and applications. Some courses may include corporate responsibility, business law, business analytics, and accounting. Master's degrees typically take between one and two years to complete and may include around 30 credits. At this level, many professionals pursue a Master of Business Administration, then choose a specialization in a field related to managing an office.

Doctoral Degrees in Office Management

Doctorates in office management are typically going to be more research-based and would be required for a professorship in management or business. The doctorate can also open the opportunity for researching management theories in universities or through think tanks with large corporations. Even if not pursuing a professorship or a position in a think tank, the doctorate can make it easier to research complex problems and promote new theories.

Certificate Programs in Office Management

Certificate programs in office management will typically cover a specific skill or common system used in business management or office roles and will allow you to develop yourself as a business professional through that system or skill. One common system used across different businesses is Microsoft Office, for example, and there are many programs you can take to learn how to better use this system. Other programs can include certificates in brand management, analytics and project management. Certificate programs typically include a handful of courses and can be completed in less than a year.

Before looking for scholarships, you should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to know if you're eligible for any grants or federal aid, especially for emergency needs. The next aid option to check is with state and local government, as some scholarships only require you to be a resident of a particular state.

You can also look for scholarships with large companies or with businesses in your local community. Many businesses will have scholarships set aside for individuals entering the business field or simply as community outreach. You can also check for scholarships and work-study programs available directly through the school you'll be attending or through a foundation connected to the school. Another great resource for scholarships is CareerOneStop's scholarship finder, which is run by the U.S. Department of Labor.