Executive Assistant (Voucher Included)

An executive assistant needs a broad skill set to be able to provide direct support to their organization's leadership. If you're pursuing a career as an executive assistant, this course will prepare you for the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) exam and teach you key business management skills. This body of knowledge will help you thrive in an executive assistant role in any corporate office setting.

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9 Months / 235 Course Hrs
Open Enrollment
Offered in partnership with your preferred school

California State University Pomona College of Professional and Global Education

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Course code: GES2080

What you will learn

  • Develop essential practical, managerial, and workplace skills
  • Explore important topics in running operations in accord with legal requirements
  • Learn about how taxes affect a business, whether it's a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation
  • Understand the process of negotiating, evaluate negotiation styles, and consider successful negotiation strategies for most environments
  • Know the seven management disciplines essential to business success
  • Discover effective organizational and business communication
  • Review the fundamentals of administrative roles, including human resources, financial responsibilities, and event and project management 

How you will benefit

  • Develop a high level of understanding of the CAP body of knowledge
  • Gain communication skills that will allow you to thrive in a professional environment
  • Set yourself apart from competitors by receiving in-depth management training
  • Successfully prepare for the IAAP CAP exam
  • Receive IAAP membership and study guide upon qualification for the CAP exam 

How the course is taught

  • Self-paced, online course
  • 9 Months to complete
  • Open enrollment, begin anytime
  • 235 course hours
  1. Certified Administrative Professional
    1. Organizational Communication (Part 1)
      1. Understanding the Workplace Team
      2. Interacting with Stakeholders
      3. Communication Essentials
    2. Organizational Communication (Part 2)
      1. Networking
      2. Motivation, Leadership, And Change Management
      3. Public Speaking
      4. International Business
      5. Organizational Structures And Systems
      6. Legal And Ethical Issues
    3. Business Writing and Document Production
      1. Business Writing
      2. Software Applications
      3. Managing Hardware and Software
    4. Technology and Information Distribution
      1. Information Systems
      2. Telephone and Electronic Communication
      3. Copyright Laws and Intellectual Property
      4. Research and Analysis
      5. Managing Remote Meetings
      6. Information Distribution and Storage
    5. Office and Records Management
      1. Filing Standards
      2. File Security
      3. Creating Workspaces
      4. Managing Materials and Supplies
    6. Event and Project Management
      1. Event Scheduling And Management
      2. Travel Planning
      3. Meeting Coordination
      4. Project Management And Negotiations
    7. Human Resources
      1. Human Resources Terminology and Processes
      2. Employee Handbooks, Training, and Standard Operating Procedures
      3. Employee Records and Evaluation
      4. Staffing And Onboarding
      5. Human Resource Law and Harassment
    8. Financial Functions
      1. Budgeting Basics
      2. Introduction to Financial Statements
      3. Introduction to Banking and Statement Reconciliation
    9. Workplace Behaviors and Activities (Part 1)
      1. Goal Setting and Creativity
      2. Problem Solving and Decision Making
      3. Time Management and Stress Management
    10. Workplace Behaviors and Activities (Part 2)
      1. Planning And Controlling
      2. Multitasking
      3. Generational Distinctions
      4. Diversity and Inclusion
    11. Workplace Behaviors and Activities (Part 3)
      1. Supply chain management
      2. Purchasing and logistics
      3. Scheduling
      4. Customer service
    12. Becoming an Administrative Assistant and Advancing Your Career
      1. Duties and Traits
      2. Position Options
      3. Seeking Employment
      4. Career Planning
  2. Management Training
    1. Introduction to Management Principles
    2. The Role and Responsibilities of a Manager
    3. Building a Personal Development Plan, Your Leadership Blueprint
    4. Corporate Culture in the Management Context
    5. Ethics and Social Responsibility
    6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEIB)
    7. Strategic vs. Operational Thinking
    8. Goal Setting and Prioritization
    9. Planning and Execution
    10. Decision-Making
    11. Time and Project Management Fundamentals
    12. Managing Human Talent
    13. Managing Change
    14. Customer Relationship Management
    15. Leadership
    16. Motivating Employees
    17. Team Building and Collaboration
    18. Managing Communication and Conflict
    19. Controlling
    20. Career Planning 

Becky Swaim

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.

Deven Matthews 

Deven Matthews is a tenured professor with over a decade of higher education experience and extensive expertise in course design, hybrid instruction, and applied learning. An accomplished author and curriculum developer, he specializes in translating complex management concepts into practical, skill-based learning. Deven is known for mentoring students and creating engaging, career-ready programs that bridge theory and real-world practice. 

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Prerequisites:

You should have basic keyboarding and computer skills, be comfortable navigating the Internet and using email, and have an understanding of a word-processing program (such as Word). This course is intended for anyone interested in developing their management skills.

Certification Requirements:

You must have previous experience as an administrative assistant to be eligible to sit for the Certified Administrative Professional certification exam.

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.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 12 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Microsoft Office (not included in enrollment) or LibreOffice (free).
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • QuickTime.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. Textbook assignments in each lesson of the CAP course will be linked to the eBook for the designated reading.

  • The Administrative Professional: Technology and Procedures (eBook)

The following digital textbook for the Management Training course is accessed via links in the course lessons:

  • Management, 15th Edition, by Richard Daft (eBook)

About Certification: International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP)

The International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting, teaching, and leading administrative professionals so they can excel in an ever-changing business world. IAAP was founded more than 70 years ago as the National Secretaries Association, and has become an internationally-recognized organization for the advancement of administrative professionals.

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.

After you register, you will receive 9 months to complete the course. The time allotted for completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours.

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.

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

Upon successfully passing the final exam, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school or organization that you registered through.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.