Do you have an interest in becoming an important part of a management team? Sandburg offers both an administrative office professional degree and an administrative office assistant certificate to give you essential skills needed to meet the fast-paced demands of administrative/executive work. Courses include accounting, communications, office management, customer service, computer applications and information management. Graduates are qualified for positions as administrative/executive assistants and office managers.
Admission requirements
This is an open-enrollment program, meaning there’s no criteria you have to meet to be admitted.
Jobs in administrative assistance
Administrative office professionals are needed in offices of every kind. Strong communication, time-management, organizational, customer service and computer skills are necessary to efficiently and effectively assist internal and external customers daily.
- Employment of receptionists is projected to grow 4% from 2019 to 2029, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
- Overall job opportunities should be good, especially in healthcare industries.
- There’s an expected growth of 16% from now to 2028 for medical secretaries due to the increased need for healthcare services to support an aging baby boomer population.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020
Possible careers
Use Wingspans Explore feature to search for administrative office-related jobs.
About the course
Program format
The basic agriculture certificate program offers both online and face-to-face class options; however, the program cannot be completed entirely online.
Class formats
Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit your needs. Regardless of the format, make sure you have access to a reliable computer with high-speed internet. All courses use online resources and require you to access course information through mySandburg. The Galesburg and Carthage campuses have open computer labs for your use as a student.
View a sample course schedule.
Internship requirements
The administrative office professional degree program requires an internship as a graduation requirement. Internships are an excellent way to gain experience in your chosen career field and stand out as a competitive candidate in the job market after graduation.
Estimates AAS cost
The estimated cost of the 60 credit-hour administrative office professional AAS degree is $15,175.
What financial aid can I receive?
Learn how you can take advantage of financial aid, grants and scholarships available to Sandburg students.
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy. Learn more, and complete this form to determine your eligibility.
Career and technical programs/courses follow our equal opportunity & non-discrimination statement. For more information, email the Title IX coordinator, or call 309.341.5258 or the ADA/504 coordinator at 309.341.5262.
Sample course schedules
Certificate program
This is a sample class schedule, which is subject to change.
Fall semester — 16 weeks
11 a.m.–noon
AOP 100
1–2:15 p.m.
ICT 120
4:30–5:20 p.m.
BOC 120
Online
ACC 100 (or ACC 101), AOP 101, BOC 100
No scheduled classes
11 a.m.–noon
AOP 100
1–2:15 p.m.
ICT 120
4:30–5:20 p.m.
BOC 120
No scheduled classes
No scheduled classes
Spring semester — 16 weeks
No scheduled classes
8–9:15 p.m.
SPE 120
No scheduled classes
No scheduled classes
No scheduled classes
AOP 102, AOP 201, BOC 103, BOC 106, BOC 112, SPE 110* (or SPE 120)
Program total: 31 credit hours
AAS degree
This is a sample class schedule, which is subject to change.
First year: Fall semester — 16 weeks
9:30–10:45 a.m.
SPE 120
11:00 a.m.–noon
AOP 100
1–2:15 p.m.
ICT 120
4:30–5:20 p.m.
BOC 120
No scheduled classes
9:30–10:45 a.m.
SPE 120
11:00 a.m.–noon
AOP 100
1–2:15 p.m.
ICT 120
4:30–5:20 p.m.
BOC 120
No scheduled classes
No scheduled classes
AOP 101, BOC 100
May also take SPE 120 or 110 online.
Spring semester — 16 weeks
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
ACC 101
No scheduled classes
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
ACC 101
No scheduled classes
No scheduled classes
AOP 102, AOP 201, BOC 103, BOC 106, BOC 112
May also take ACC 101 online.
Second year: Fall semester — 16 weeks
9–10:15 a.m.
AOP 203
9:30–10:45 a.m.
BOC 102
1–2:50 p.m.
ICT 170
9–10:15 a.m.
AOP 203
9:30–10:45 a.m.
BOC 102
1–2:50 p.m.
ICT 170
No scheduled classes
BOC 114, ICT 181
Spring semester — 16 weeks
9:30–10:45 a.m.
SOC 101
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
BUS 100
No scheduled classes
9:30–10:45 a.m.
SOC 101
11:00 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
BUS 100
No scheduled classes
No scheduled classes
AOP 216, AOP 291 or 292 (Internship), ENG 120, PSY 101 or 107 (or SOC 101 above)
May also take BUS 100, SOC 101 online.
Program total: 60 credit hours
Internship requirements
The Administrative Office Professional degree program requires an internship as a graduation requirement. Internships are an excellent way to gain experience in your chosen career field and stand out as a competitive candidate in the job market after graduation. Learn more.
Program format
The basic agriculture certificate program offers both online and face-to-face class options; however, the program cannot be completed entirely online.
Class formats
Sandburg offers courses in a variety of formats to best fit your needs. Regardless of the format, make sure you have access to a reliable computer with high-speed internet. All courses use online resources and require you to access course information through mySandburg. The Galesburg and Carthage campuses have open computer labs for your use as a student.