Administrative Assistant Program

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What do Administrative Assistants Do?

Administrative assistants are the backbone to any business operation.  The work performed by administrative assistants support the overall business functions within companies that provide services or products.  The specific duties performed by administrative assistants include typing and transcription; filing and record keeping; handling correspondence; answering telephones and other general office duties.

Administrative Assistant Program Philosophy

The Philosophy of the program stems from a strong belief that individuals must possess strong interpersonal communication skills, appropriate work ethic as well as possess task-oriented and business machine skills.  More often than not, other schools have focused the entire core around task oriented skills such as utilizing a multitude of computer programs or how to work fax and copy machines.  What has been overlooked has been the development of interpersonal skills and appropriate work ethics needed within the business environment. Without these valuable skills, individuals cannot and will not be viewed by the commercial world as a valued asset.

At Abrams College, the focus of education is two-fold.  First, we believe that it is critical to assist students in the development of office etiquette that will lay the foundation for individuals to not only gain employment but to ensure employment retention.  Skills within this realm include proper use of English and grammar, answering the telephone as a true professional, critical thinking, decision- making and problem-resolution formats.  In short, the first portion of the program focuses on how to be polite, cordial and exercise good judgment within the office environment.

The second major emphasis of the program is related to business machines and use.  During this portion of the program, the faculty will focus on how to use computers and machines.  From using Microsoft programs, to using the fax and copy machines, faculty will provide open computer laboratory opportunities to assist students in completing weekly and daily assignments.  Typing and 10-key punch training will be provided on an independent study program within the course to assist students who are unable to type at least 55 words per minute.

Abrams College Administrative Assistant Program

Abrams College offers an intensive 14-week part-time program leading to the certificate of completion for Administrative Assistant.  There are three main components of the program: classroom; computer lab and internship.

CLASSROOM

The first portion of the course consists of regular scheduled class sessions.  Class meet every Tuesday evening for the entire 14 weeks.  During this portion, projects and reports will be assigned, exams will be administered and students will be graded on their performance.  The instructional content of the program includes:

  • Typing & 10 Key Punch
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Office Environments
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Filing & Organization
  • Professional Ethics
  • Problem Resolution
  • Career Builder Project
  • Business Machines
  • Communication & Office Math
  • Grammar and Language
  • Work Relations

OPEN COMPUTER LABORATORY

The second portion of the course consists of open computer laboratory.  The student may schedule this time any day or evening during the week to complete the required 5 hours per week assignments.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT INTERNSHIP

Students are required to complete a 120-hour internship as part of their training.  Students will be scheduled 8-12 hours per week, over 1-2 days, depending on the student’s schedule, starting on the second week of instruction. Students must ensure that they can provide for this additional time for scheduling purposes.

Course Enrollment & Waiting Lists

Please note that Abrams College will only enroll 5 students per program.  Once the first 5 students have been enrolled, the staff will generate a waiting list.

Graduation & Certification

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be issued the certificate of completion for the Certified Administrative Assistant.  In addition the student may obtain the following certifications: Typing Certification (Must be able to type 55 word per minute) & 10-Key Punch Certification.

Microsoft Certification

Students of Abrams College may challenge the Microsoft Certification exams upon graduation for the following subjects: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access.

Tuition & Financial Assistance

Please refer to the tuition and financial assistance section.