Best Online Associate in Office Administration Degree Programs

Students who have either graduated from high school or received their GED equivalent should consider an online office management associate degree. According to the BLS, people who are detail-oriented and have excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills should consider a profession in the office management industry. The online office management associate degree will be a fast-track to a student's career in office management. This is the best option for students who have financial obligations that do not allow them to attend a four-year college. It is also a good option for students who wish to attend another university to further their education after completing the degree program because there are many options to pursue.

Application, Admissions, and Enrollment for Online Office Management Associate Degree Programs

The application and admissions process for the online office management associate degree program is fairly straightforward. Students will first need a high school diploma or GED equivalent in order to apply. After completing the online application through the school of their choice, students may be required to submit additional materials, such as proof of residency, transcripts, or letters of recommendation. Once the application and all necessary documents are submitted, it may be required that a student has an interview with an assigned admissions representative. Upon admission to the university, the student will then be able to register for classes and enroll in courses.

The online office management associate degree generally takes about two years, or four semesters, to complete. This is comprised of a total of 60 credit hours, which are split into three areas of study: general education, elective courses, and required major courses. This is based on a standard full-time schedule in which a student enrolls in five classes per semester. Therefore, it may take longer or shorter depending on how many courses are taken each semester. Students who wish to graduate early may take more than five courses per semester, and students who wish to continue working throughout their program may enroll as part-time students and take less than five courses per semester.

An online associate degree in office management typically costs about $3,131-$9,165 per semester. This is about $625-$1,833 per course, so it may be more or less depending on how many courses are taken each semester. This means that the total cost of the degree program across the two years is between $12,524 and $36,660.

There are many advantages to an online office management associate degree program. For example, there is a lot of time freedom associated with online programs because most are self-paced, meaning the student can complete the necessary work on their own schedule. This is beneficial for students who have family obligations or jobs. Additionally, it is also helpful in getting to know the technology of office management. Becoming comfortable with modern technology is important because that is a significant part of an office management career. Another advantage of an online office management associate degree program is the ability to choose the right program regardless of where it is located. Students have the opportunity to learn from universities all over the United States despite not being physically close. This gives more options for education and each student can choose a program that best fits their needs. One disadvantage to online learning is the lack of face-to-face contact. It may be more difficult for students to cultivate professional relationships with peers and professors, which may be a disadvantage for those who wish to further their education and require educational connections for things such as letters of recommendation.

There are a number of common online office manager courses. Each course is designed to introduce the student to an aspect of office management and help them to grow comfortable with leading an office. Some common courses include:

• Introduction to Business
• Business Communication
• Office Accounting
• Office Applications-Keyboarding and Document Processing

Some elective courses may include:

• Business Law
• Workplace Mathematics
• Medical Insurance and Billing

There are many career options for those with a degree in office management. For example, graduates could pursue a career as an office manager, an executive assistant, administrative officer, office assistant, or medical assistant. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), office management has a projected job growth rate of 6%. This is higher than the projected job growth rate for all jobs, which is 4%. Therefore, there are many opportunities for those searching for a career in office management.

Begin a Career as an Office Manager

Have you ever wondered how to become a certified office manager? An office manager plans, directs, and coordinates activities that help an organization run efficiently. They may oversee schedules, set goals and deadlines for their department, and supervise other staff members. Most office managers work full time and some work more than 40 hours a week. The BLS records an annual median wage for office managers of $98,890. This is higher than the annual median wage for all jobs, which is $41,950.

Begin a Career as a Medical Assistant

A medical assistant does administrative work within the medical field. Duties may vary depending on the organization, but some may include:

• Recording patient history and personal information
• Schedule patient appointments
• Enter patient information into medical records

Most medical assistants work full time and may have to work weekends, evenings, or holidays in order to cover shifts for organizations that are open all the time. According to the BLS, medical assistants have a median annual wage of $35,850.

There are a number of accreditations to search for when choosing an online office management associate degree program. For example, there is the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which accredits institutions that provide distance learning. There are also a number of regional accreditations, such as the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which accredits universities within a certain region of the U.S. Accreditation is important to search for when choosing a program because it maintains a certain standard of education. Additionally, when transferring for further education, many universities look for transcripts from accredited organizations.

After completing an online office management associate degree the student may wish to transfer to further their education. Most four-year universities will accept credit transfers from a two-year associate program, especially if the associate degree program was taken through the same university. For example, a student may choose to pursue a bachelor's in administrative studies, which is very similar to office management and provides more educational experience. However, for this career path, further education does not necessarily mean higher pay. Because the minimum education requirements are typically a high school diploma or associate degree, people who wish to pursue a career in office management and administration will rely more heavily on job experience to find higher-paying jobs.

In addition to the online office management associate degree and the administrative studies bachelor's degree, there are also other degree options, such as various certificate programs in office management. Certificates in office management could help a student to pursue a specific organization when searching for a career. In addition to certificate programs, there are also various certifications that a student could pursue. Certifications such as a Microsoft Office Specialist may prove helpful in adding different skills to a resume.

Online Certificate Programs in Office Management

Certificate programs offer the basic information for a career in office management. Students could choose to pursue an Online Medical Office Administration certificate, which focuses on managing medical records and helping a medical office run smoothly. Students may also choose to pursue a certificate in Business Office Administration. This focuses more on running a business organization. Certificate programs are suitable for jobs that require a minimum of a high school degree. They may also be suitable for those who hold a degree in a different area of expertise but wish to begin a career in office administration.

Scholarship and financial aid information for office management online associate degrees are very important to consider when choosing a program. The first organization to consider is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is merit-based and need-based federal aid provided for students who meet eligibility requirements. They offer both loans and grants. Another scholarship opportunity to consider is the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, which offers 20,000 to high school graduates that demonstrate leadership and making a significant impact in their school or community.