Online Certified Professional Secretary Courses and Certification Info

Online Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) training courses can be found as part of associate's degree programs at community or technical colleges. Courses are also offered through the continuing education (CE) division of universities for credits or a certificate. These classes are often geared toward certification exam preparation.

Overview of Online Certified Professional Secretary Courses

Secretaries provide administrative office support in a variety of different industries ranging from business to medical. Some entry-level positions require only a high school diploma, but employers may prefer applicants to have administration training for some jobs. The term Certified Professional Secretary (CSP) refers to a distinction given to advanced administrative workers who have received certification by successfully passing the CSP exam.
Some online secretarial courses focus on exam preparation and review, and these are geared toward professionals looking for advancement possibilities. These courses are offered in standalone format or as a short series. Some schools offer college credits and certificates for these courses, while other programs are non-credit training. More comprehensive training courses are also available online as continuing education courses or as part of associate's degree programs in office administration. Possible career possibilities include administrative assistant, office manager, executive assistant or information coordinator.

Course Requirements

Students taking online classes need a computer with Internet access, a Web browser and a media player. Virtual chat rooms, discussion boards and e-mail are used for interaction with fellow students and faculty.
Students should gain familiarity with commonly used software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Reader. Interactive content or webinars may be used by some courses. Some courses may require students to purchase textbooks separately.

List of Online Certified Professional Secretary Courses

Office Technology Course

In this course, students learn how to manage the technological aspects of secretarial work. Sample topics of study include systems software and applications, keyboarding skills and systems security. Computer operations and word processing are also covered.

Office Administration Course

Here, students learn required administrative duties, including writing composition, record-keeping and research. Grammar rules, proofreading and diction are discussed to develop proper letter writing skills. Students also learn to take minutes and other notes for business meetings.

Office Management Course

This course focuses on human resources and relations, office procedures and communications. Students learn customer service skills, phone demeanor and time management skills. Instructors also cover interpersonal office relations management and team-building skills.