Administrative Assistant

Program Outline

Instruction Sets
Your at-home learning program includes 11 Instruction Sets designed to take you step-by-step through the techniques and skills you’ll employ in your new career as an Administrative Assistant. Your first Instruction Set will be sent to you as soon as your enrollment has been accepted. Other Instruction Sets will follow as you complete your exams, so that you will always have training materials to work with.

You will need access to a Microsoft® Windows®-based computer to complete this program. Penn Foster recommends the following as minimum specifications: Pentium® II or better processor, using Microsoft® Windows® XP or later. You will also need access to the Internet and Microsoft® Office 2007 to complete portions of this program.

Note: A High School Diploma or GED is required to enroll in this program.

Here is an overview of what you’ll learn and the order in which you’ll receive your learning materials:

Instruction Set 1

Learning Strategies
Identifying and implementing a successful study method; planning when, where, and how you’ll study; creating effective and efficient study tools; using study tools to improve chances for success.

The Administrative Professional
Introduction to the field; the administrative professional’s role in the workplace; necessary skills and abilities; workplace trends  and opportunities; professional organizations.

Instruction Set 2

Your Professional Image
Components of a professional image; the link between a professional image and job success; identifying personal strengths and detecting areas for improvement.

Stress and Time Management
Importance of relaxation; developing coping strategies and a stress management program; value of time management; setting goals.

Instruction Set 3

The Global Workplace
Working with clients in countries other than the United States; working as an employee of a foreign firm operating in the U.S.; diversity, international business etiquette, international time zones, international travel.

Interpersonal Communication Skills
The importance of interpersonal skills; effective listening; traits for positive interpersonal relations; oral communication skills, articulation; enunciation and pronunciation; improving speech; interacting with others; non-verbal communication; respecting and working with others.

Instruction Set 4

Administrative Office Procedures
Responsibilities of the office professional; leadership tasks; project coordination; customer relations; business ethics; professionalism.

Travel and Meeting Planning
Using a business traveler profile; various ways of making travel arrangements; differentiating between classes of airfare; business traveler’s itinerary; planning online meetings; planning a convention.

Instruction Set 5

Filing Techniques
Filing according to the Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA International); color-coded filing systems; electronic filing systems; alphabetic filing rules.

Records Management
Handling records; classification of records; records control; electronic records management; archiving technologies.

Math for Office Professionals
Basic math; mean, median, mode, and range; figuring sales tax; markups and markdowns; loan amortization; metric system; foreign currency exchange.

Instruction Set 6

Technologies in the Workplace
Technologies used in today’s workplace; use of the Internet; the virtual office; security and ethical issues;
electronic communications; electronic communication systems.

Resources and References
Standard reference resources; using the Internet for research; mapping; manuals; using directories and libraries.

Internet Basics
Features of the Web; navigating the Web; accessing and sending email; basic research tools and search engines.

Instruction Set 7

Business English
Business letters, forms, client records, and memos; organization, grammar, punctuation, and sentence and paragraph construction; coherent paragraphs, well-organized documents, and purpose-focused materials; accurate, attractive, and effective final copies.

Instruction Set 8

First Steps in Using a Personal Computer
The boot process; launching Microsoft® Windows®; developing mouse skills; Windows® accessories; Windows® programs.

Using Windows®
Learning about Windows® XP, Windows Vista,® and Windows® 7; setting up the Windows® desktop; working with Windows® tools.

Keyboarding and Word Processing
Alphabetic and numeric keys; keying techniques; basic keyboarding skills; improving speed and accuracy.

Textbook: Keyboarding and Word Processing

Software: Keyboarding Pro

Instruction Set 9

Advanced Word Processing
Formatting common business documents; basic and advanced word processing functions.

Textbook: Advanced Word Processing

Membership: Student Membership in the International Association of Administrative Professionals® (IAAP)

Instruction Set 10

Integrated Computer Applications
Integrating Microsoft® Word, PowerPoint,® and Excel® to create documents with text, charts and graphs, and clip art, lines, and borders.

Textbook: Integrated Computer Applications

Instruction Set 11

Office Finances
Operating income; operating expenses; travel expenses; using technology to handle office finances; banking procedures; maintaining inventory records; understanding financial reports; office finances and ethics.

Office Management
Office planning and layout; selecting office staff; supervising employees; motivating employees; evaluating
employee performance; effective teams in the office; legal issues in office management.

Supplements:  
Work Experience Option
Managing a Successful Job Search

 

Online Library and Librarian
Students in Penn Foster Career School have access to an online library for use during their studies. Students can use this library to do the required research in the courses they complete or can use it for general reference and links to valuable resources. The library contains helpful research assistance, articles, databases, books, and Web links. A librarian is available to answer questions on general research-related topics via email and assist students in research activities during their studies with Penn Foster Career School.

We reserve the right to change program content and materials when it becomes necessary.

Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

International Association of Administrative Professionals is a trademark registered in the United States of America and/or other jurisdictions.

Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation and its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.