Penn Foster Career School has been in existence for over 100 years and is accredited for non-degree granting post-secondary diploma programs. The school offers an online diploma administrative assistant program that provides hands-on training related to technologies in workplace, administrative office procedures, office management and finances, as well as computer, Internet and keyboarding basics. Graduates of the diploma program qualify for free membership in the International Association of Administrative Professionals. Students receive books, lessons, learning aids, Keyboarding Pro software, instructional support and access to student services via email, telephone or the web.
Bryant and Stratton College was founded over 155 years ago. Its goal is to provide students with practical workplace education. Students can obtain an online Associate of Applied Science to become an administrative assistant. They learn to use current office equipment, how office systems operate, accounting and office administration. This program focuses on developing certain skills, such as keyboarding at the industry-standard words per minute (WPM) level, managing records and filing systems including spreadsheets and databases, mathematical and verbal skills, thinking processes and learning strategies related to business, and general accounting principles for payroll and petty cash.
Allied Schools is a nationally accredited online school that offers a program for those who want to become an administrative assistant. Students learn to keep accurate records, create business documents, customer service skills, keyboarding skills and computer skills through a variety of hands-on practical lessons. The course includes such materials as the Administrative Assistant and Secretary's Handbook, a keyboarding course lessons textbook, Keyboarding Pro 5 CD ROM with book, keyboarding study guide and an American Century dictionary. Students prepare to work in an office setting and to complete necessary tasks like sorting mail, typing documents and performing accounting duties. There is live student support available to students.
Harrison College opened in 1902 and offers a variety of on-campus programs in addition to its online Associate of Applied Science for those who want to become administrative professionals. Students receive instruction in using current office technology, business communication, accounting and keyboarding. A total of 98 credit hours is required to complete the course, over a total of eight to nine quarters. Students are required to take general education courses such as psychology, foundation courses like word processing and spreadsheets, and professional courses including business law, business math, and records management and security. Students can opt to take an internship in the last quarter or an elective in its place.