Online Personal Assistant Courses and Classes

Online courses for personal assistants cover a wide range of topics, as the job itself can encompass a diverse set of tasks and employer expectations. These courses could be part of an administrative professional program or serve as continuing education. Online computer software certification courses can also be useful and focus on areas involving accounting and event planning.

Overview of Personal Assistant Courses Available Online

The job requirements of a personal assistant vary depending on the employer, so the education and training encompasses many different areas. Online certification programs in Microsoft Office Suite can be beneficial, as well as courses in business correspondence, basic finance and accounting, project management and interpersonal communication.
These online courses could be part of an administrative professional program or lead to certifications at various levels in individual software programs. Personal assistants can work with executives, professionals, and individuals in a wide range of capacities and are responsible for completing tasks in order to make an employer's life run more smoothly.

Course Requirements

To participate in these courses, students must have an updated computer with high-speed Internet access, monitor with high-color display, graphics card and a sound card with speakers. Courses focusing on Microsoft Office Suite may require individual or a combination of programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook. A personal e-mail address, updated web browser and anti-virus program may also be necessary.

List of Online Personal Assistant Courses

Windows Office Overview Course

This course offers an overview of the main Microsoft Office Suite programs. Students learn the basics of creating professional documents with Microsoft Word, spreadsheets with Excel, presentations with PowerPoint and databases with Access. The course teaches students to use Outlook to correspond via e-mail, keep calendars and manage task lists. This course lays the foundation to pursue intermediate and advanced education in these programs.

Project Management Course

Students learn to successfully manage projects in this course. Course topics help students develop time management, prioritization, coordination, networking and resource allocation skills. Tools for defining and setting goals, fostering teamwork and leadership, managing risk and increasing productivity are also discussed.

Professional Written Communications Course

This course focuses on the formatting and structure of professional written communications, including business letters and e-mails, memos, reports and plans. Students hone their proofreading skills through an overview of common spelling, grammar, usage and punctuation errors. The full writing process, including brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising and editing is discussed.

Interpersonal Communications Course

This course discusses effective and appropriate professional communication techniques when dealing with various audiences, including customers, coworkers, stakeholders, employers and the media. Students learn how to summarize, analyze and synthesize information. Focus is placed on developing listening skills, increasing assertiveness, providing positive and constructive feedback, dealing with conflict, and communicating in both informative and persuasive ways.