Executive assistants possess a broad skill and provide direct support to executive leadership. This course will prepare you for two important certifications in your career as an executive assistant: Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate.
You will learn the intricacies of organizational communication, office and records management, and human resources fundamentals, among other topics. You will then learn to how to use Microsoft Office 2019 programs like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Earning your Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Associate certification demonstrates your proficiency in the Office suite.
On course completion and eligibility, you will receive vouchers to the CAP exam and the following MOS exams: MO-100 (Word), MO-200 (Excel), MO-300 (PowerPoint), MO-400 (Outlook) and MO-500 (Access). The vouchers are prepaid access to sit for the certifying exam upon eligibility. Proctor fees may apply, which are not included.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course must be taken on a PC device. A Mac OS is not compatible.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 10 or later operating systems.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access 2019 (not included in enrollment). While Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access 2019 is ideal, you can download the desktop versions that comes with Microsoft 365. Please note that there may be some differences between your version of these programs and what you see in the course.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Certification Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates must meet specific education and administrative office support professional experience, which are:
- No College Degree - 4 years of relevant work experience is required
- Associates Degree - 3 years of relevant work experience is required
- Bachelor's Degree - 2 years of relevant work experience is required
All relevant work experience must have been earned within the last ten years.
Relevant work experience qualifies as office and administrative professionals who engage in some, if not all, of the following:
- Communicate within the organization (both verbal and written)
- Conduct business writing, including proofreading and editing
- Maintain office functions and record keeping
- Plan meetings, events, and arrange travel
- Manage projects
- Engage in or support human relations activities, such as hiring and compliance issues
- Maintain budgets and basic accounting functions
- Manage time and other resources for themselves and others
- Utilize technology, including virtual and mobile, with strong computer and internet research skills
- Coordinate communications between internal staff and/or external clients
Please visit https://www.iaap-hq.org/page/Certification for more detailed information on eligibility.
Instructional Materials:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbook will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
- Managing by the Numbers: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and using your Company's Financials
- Strategic Planning - A Pragmatic Guide
- The Administrative Professional, Rankin and Shumack
Katrina McBride's career reflects extensive experience in organizational leadership, marketing strategies, and market development in multi-national corporate environments. Her leadership abilities have been utilized to develop new programs and functional areas. In director-level positions for Nortel Networks, she led strategy for competitive intelligence, emerging markets, and lead generation. McBride holds an M.A. in organizational management and a B.S. in psychology.
Katherine Squires Pang, J.D., LL.M., M.Ed has practiced law with since 1983. She has served as an adjunct faculty member in the Graduate School of Management at the University of Texas, Dallas, and has been an adjunct faculty member of many universities, including New York University and the University of California, Irvine. She received her B.A. in 1980 from Clark University, her J.D. from the University of Dayton Law School in 1982, her LL.M in Taxation from Georgetown University Law School in 1983, and her M.Ed from the University of Texas in 2001.
Jerry L. Partridge is a Certified Project Management Professional with experience as a project and program manager for a major retail organization. He is a certified instructor for IBM project management courses and hosts university seminars for project managers seeking certification. He has worked extensively with the Project Management Institute, previously leading a team that developed a practice standard for Earned Value Management Systems and volunteering as a subject matter expert for an update to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK). Partridge holds a Master of Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University.
Becky Swaim has taught since 2000, focusing on Administrative Assistant Fundamentals, Administrative Assistant Applications, and Individual Excellence. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from California State University, Long Beach. Her experience includes managing large staff in medical billing and collections and as a program manager to various medical practices.
Tracy Berry has been a senior graphic designer/programmer, instructor, and consultant since 1993. She helps organizations optimize and streamline data solutions. She teaches both onsite and online courses and has her CTT (Certified Technical Trainer) certification. Tracy specializes in teaching graphics, desktop publishing, web design, reporting/productivity applications, Microsoft Office, as well as the creation of online courses with software from leading vendors.
Can I register for courses if I am an international student?
Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.
Does this course prepare for a certification?
Yes. You will be prepared for the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) certification offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). You will also be prepared for the Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 (MOS) certification exams for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Access.
When can I start this course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course whenever you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
After you register, you will receive 18 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.
What if I don't have enough time to complete the course within the time frame provided?
If you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee will be charged. If you are funded through a third-party organization, approval may also be required.
What kind of support will I receive?
The course instructor will be available by email to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. Occasionally, your course may be supported by a team of industry experts. You will also be assigned a Student Advisor for academic support.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.
Am I guaranteed a job?
ed2go courses will help you gain the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. However, you should always research the job market in your area before enrolling.
Can I get financial assistance?
ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA, and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards may provide funding to take our courses. Additionally, you may qualify for financial assistance if you meet certain requirements. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us."
What will I do as an administrative professional?
As an administrative professional, you will play an important role in keeping an office organized and functioning efficiently. You will perform routine clerical tasks such as answering phones and drafting messages. Administrative professionals will also organize files, schedule appointments, and support other employees within the office. As an administrative professional, you may also be responsible for greeting guests who visit your organization.
What education do I need to become an administrative professional?
For most administrative professional positions, you will need a high school diploma or equivalent as well as some training which can be obtained in an online course like this one. There is a lot of competition for good administrative professional jobs, so getting formal training and earning a certification will put you ahead of the competition and make you more desirable to employers.
What is the average salary of an administrative professional?
The median salary across all office and administrative support positions according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is nearly $35,000 per year. Your salary will vary depending on the type of administrative job you choose. For example, a financial clerk earns a median salary of $38,680 while a receptionist earns $28,390 and secretaries earn $37,870. According to a research study conducted by Microsoft, entry-level professionals who obtain a certification can earn almost $16,000 more per year than those without certification.
Are administrative professionals in demand?
Yes, administrative professionals are in demand, but there is expected to be little change in the total number of open positions in this field through 2026 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Technology is expected to play a major role in this profession, so your understanding of courses like those in the Microsoft Office Suite will help you land coveted positions.
Where do administrative professionals work?
Administrative professionals typically work full time hours, between 35- 40 hours per week in an office environment, though some do work part time. It is even possible to work from home depending on your duties and your employer. You will spend large amounts of time in front of a computer using various software courses. You will also interact with other people on a daily basis either in person or via the phone.
What qualities should a good administrative professional have?
In order to be a good administrative professional, you will need good communication skills as you will be responsible for working with people at many different levels within the organization. You will also need good organizational skills, a detail-oriented personality, and the ability to keep information you encounter private and confidential. In addition, you'll need to have good time management as well as the ability to prioritize tasks, and you will need to be dependable and reliable no matter what tasks you're assigned. Finally, you'll need to know how to provide good customer service.
How many exam vouchers will I receive with this course?
You will receive six exam vouchers, one voucher for the CAP exam and five vouchers for the Microsoft MOS exams. Microsoft MOS Associate level exam vouchers will be provided for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. An expert level exam voucher will be provided for Access (there is no Associate level exam for Access for 2019). This course fully prepares you to sit for the Access expert level exam.