Although administrative assistants often have college degrees, not all administrative assistant jobs require a college degree. However, experience and skills are expected and required. Administrative assistant certificates, diplomas and certifications are all ways to demonstrate proficiency in the skills and knowledge required to do an administrative professional job well.
American Society of Administrative Professionals
The American Society of Administrative Professionals, or ASAP, offers a Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence. The self-paced certificate program offered through the American Society of Administrative Professionals takes, on average, approximately two years to complete.
The ASAP Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence focuses on five key competencies, including Interpersonal Communications, Office and Digital Technologies, Project and Task Management, Management Skills, and Professional and Career Development.
The required 92 credit hours are earned through a selection of Webinars and courses. An additional requirement includes Microsoft certification in both Word and Excel.
International Association of Administrative Professionals
The International Association of Administrative Professionals, or IAAP, offers two levels of certification: Certified Administrative Professional, or CAP, and Certified Administrative Professional with a specialty in Organizational Management.
Certification through the IAAP comes through successfully passing an exam. Exams are offered twice a year: in May and November. Certified Administrative Professionals must be recertified every five years. This requires ongoing continuing education to earn the 60 required recertification points. Certain colleges award college credit for certification obtained through the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
Office Dynamics
Joan Burge of Office Dynamics offers two different types of certificates for administrative assistants. The Star Achievement Series, which focuses on skills, attitude, teamwork and strategy, consists of 12 modules in the form of 12 daylong workshops. Taking at least two weeks in between modules is the recommended pace, so expect to take at least six months to complete this certificate.
Office Dynamics also offers World Class Assistant certification. This level of certification is suitable for experienced administrative assistants. Each group is limited in size to only 20 participates and requires a total of five days to complete.
Additional Options for Administrative Assistant Certificates and Diplomas
Local community colleges often offer administrative assistant certificates, and Penn Foster, an online college, offers an administrative assistant diploma, which takes approximately six months to a year to complete.
Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook also demonstrate proficiency in computer programs often used by administrative assistants.
References:
American Society of Administrative Professionals
International Association of Administrative Professionals
Office Dynamics: Star Achievement Series
Penn Foster College: Administrative Assistant Diploma
Microsoft: Office Specialist Certification
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