Bachelor's Degree Programs in Office Management
Do you like to delegate responsibility? Are you organized? If so, you might make a good office manager. Read on to find out about degree programs that could prepare you for this line of work. Schools offering Office Management degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
At What Degree Level Can I Study Office Management?
You're unlikely to find office management degree programs at the bachelor's level. Most programs in this field are offered at the associate's level and take approximately two years to complete. In general, you'll learn to supervise an administrative staff and help business offices run efficiently. You'll also likely learn to delegate work and enforce deadlines, act as a liaison between executives and administrative staff, oversee work and ensure quality.
In an increasingly global business environment, many programs now focus on technical literacy. You may learn about relevant business software, including word processing, spreadsheet, customer relations management and accounting software. Also, because many office managers are in charge of hiring, training and firing administrative staff, you may study human resources management.
What Are the Typical Prerequisites?
You'll need a high school diploma to be considered for admission to an associate's degree program in office management. Some schools, though not many, also require standardized test scores. Additionally, you might have to submit letters of recommendation and a personal statement. Some programs may seek degree candidates with skills in business, mathematics, statistics or computer science.
What Classes Might I Take?
Coursework in associate's degree programs in office management usually is didactic in nature, taking place mostly in the classroom. Some technical training classes may take place in a computer lab. Classes likely to appear in your curriculum include:
- Word processing
- Personnel management
- Basic accounting
- Invoicing
- Payroll applications
- Business law
- Database applications
What If I Want to Work in a Health Care Setting?
Several schools offer associate's degree programs specifically in medical office management, which can prepare you to work in a variety of health care settings, including physicians' offices, hospitals and clinics, as well as with health insurance companies. In addition to the duties covered in a basic office management curriculum, these programs are likely to teach you about medical terminology, basic pharmacology, insurance coding and medical transcription. You also might learn to perform basic clinical tasks, such as taking a patient's vital signs and changing dressings.
What Are My Job Prospects?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expected the number of jobs for office managers to grow 11% between 2008 and 2018, which was as fast as average (www.bls.gov). Growth was largely anticipated due to improved technology, which can lead to the need for more training and supervision. Office managers in general made a mean annual salary of $50,770 as of May 2010. Those who worked in medical or surgical hospitals had slightly higher wages of $52,620, while those employed with physicians' offices made slightly less than average at $49,690.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
Subscribe to RSS feed for
Office Administration and Assisting FAQs
