The Administrative Professional Certificate Series is designed to give students specific training in how to coordinate the use of common office technologies, apply basic communication and organizational skills in a business office, understand basic records information management filing systems, and demonstrate a working knowledge of Internet usage and research for the modern office.

The certificate requires completion of the three core classes plus three elective classes.  Students must attend 90% of each class in the series to fulfill the certificate requirements and receive an institutional certificate.

Core Classes:

  • Administrative Office Procedures 
  • Workplace Behaviors 
  • Business Correspondence and Communication 

Elective Classes (choose three):

  • Microsoft Word I 
  • Microsoft PowerPoint I
  • Microsoft Excel I 
  • Microsoft Excel II 

Quick Facts

  • Secretaries and Administrative Assistants perform routine clerical and administrative duties.
  • Although secretaries and administrative assistants work in nearly every industry, many are employed in schools, hospitals, and government, legal, and medical offices. Most work full time.
  • High school graduates who have experience using computer software applications usually qualify for entry-level positions. Although most secretaries learn their job in several weeks, many legal and medical secretaries require additional training to learn industry-specific terminology. Executive secretaries usually need several years of related work experience.
  • The median annual wage for secretaries and administrative assistants in the DFW area is $38,540*. (onetonline.org; August 2023)
  • Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of secretaries and administrative assistants with similar occupations.

Learn more about secretaries and administrative assistants by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/secretaries-and-administrative-assistants.htm

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Career Video

https://youtu.be/zDqK9DaCDg4 This career video provides day in the life information about the following jobs and occupations.

JOB TITLE: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

OCCUPATION DESCRIPTION: Perform routine clerical and administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

RELATED JOB TITLES: Administrative Assistant, Administrative Associate, Administrative Secretary, Administrative Specialist, Administrative Technician, Clerk Typist, Department Secretary, Office Assistant, Secretary, Staff Assistant

ONET: 43-6014.00

JOB TITLE: Medical Secretaries

OCCUPATION DESCRIPTION: Perform secretarial duties using specific knowledge of medical terminology and hospital, clinic, or laboratory procedures. Duties may include scheduling appointments, billing patients, and compiling and recording medical charts, reports, and correspondence.

RELATED JOB TITLES: Admissions Coordinator, Billing Coordinator, Health Unit Coordinator, Medical Office Specialist, Medical Secretary, Patient Coordinator, Physician Office Specialist, Unit Secretary, Unit Support Representative, Ward Clerk

ONET: 43-6013.00


JOB TITLE: Legal Secretaries

OCCUPATION DESCRIPTION: Perform secretarial duties using legal terminology, procedures, and documents. Prepare legal papers and correspondence, such as summonses, complaints, motions, and subpoenas. May also assist with legal research.

RELATED JOB TITLES: Confidential Secretary, Judicial Administrative Assistant, Legal Administrative Secretary, Legal Assistant, Legal Secretary, Litigation Assistant, Magistrate Assistant, Secretary

ONET: 43-6012.00


JOB TITLE: Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

OCCUPATION DESCRIPTION: Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, handling information requests, and performing clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

RELATED JOB TITLES: Administrative Aide, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Associate, Administrative Coordinator, Administrative Secretary, Administrative Specialist, Executive Administrative Assistant, Executive Assistant, Executive Secretary, Office Assistant

ONET: 43-6011.00

Learn more about this and other occupations, jobs, and careers at: www.CareerOneStop.org

Upon completion of all seven courses, email CECertificate@collin.edu to request your certificate.  Please allow up to four (4) weeks to receive your certificate.

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants Career Video

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