Washington Schools with Education Programs for Secretaries

Washington has more than 30 schools that offer secretarial programs. Learn about the certificate and degree programs, tuition info and program options for 10 of the largest schools to make an informed education decision.

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Secretarial Program Options in Washington

Students looking for secretarial programs in Washington have a wide array of choices. Aspiring secretaries can find programs in such areas as office assisting, computer applications and workplace technology. The programs outlined below are those offered by 10 of the largest public colleges.

Bellevue College

Located in Bellevue, this school offers certificate programs requiring 18-60 quarter credits in various areas of office assisting and computer applications. These programs cover such concepts as business communication, data management tools, administrative office management and document design. The business technology associate's degree program focuses on recent changes in technology. Credits awarded in the certificate programs may be used towards the associate's degree.

Clark College

Vancouver-based Clark College offers certificate programs in computer or office skills in which students earn 23-51 quarter credits. In the office assistant program, students study keyboarding, records management and computer applications. A front office assistant certificate program teaches students about customer service and Microsoft applications. Associate's degrees are also available for future administrative assistants or software specialists; students in these programs complete cooperative work experiences. Foundation skills in computers and keyboarding may be required before beginning these programs.

Edmonds Community College

Lynnwood's EDCC offers certificate programs in office technology, office skills and specialized medical office training composed of 35-71 quarter credits. Associate's degrees are offered in general, legal or medical office technology skills. The general office technology and the medical information technology degree programs require students to first complete the certificate programs in those areas. In the legal office specialist program, students study legal office procedures and the legal process in addition to general office and computer technology concepts. In addition, a 2-year transfer program in office supervision and management is available for students who plan to pursue a bachelor's degree.

Everett Community College

Situated in Everett, this school has a wide assortment of certificate programs that range from 19-76 quarter credits, in general, legal and medical office functions. Students at this school can pursue an Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training (I-BEST) certificate program, which covers sustainable work environment practices. Associate's degrees are offered in similar fields. Select certificates and associate's programs may be available online.

Green River Community College

This college in Auburn offers certificate programs requiring 40-80 quarter credits, in addition to an associate's degree program, in several areas of business applications. Programs provide hands-on learning and internship opportunities. Graduates might find employment as secretaries, project leaders or office managers.

Olympic College

This school's campus locations in Bremerton and Shelton have certificate programs comprised of 13-46 quarter credits providing training in workplace technology and general office support. An associate's degree program in administrative office support is also available. Programs focus on office systems, communications and computer use.

Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom

Based in Lakewood, Pierce College's faculty of approximately 4 members provides training through certificate programs requiring 36-63 quarter credits in both general and medical office careers. Also available are 2-year degrees in those same fields, in addition to an international business program for administrative assistants. Students may begin these programs during any quarter, including summer.

Spokane Community College

Located in Spokane, SCC's business technology faculty is comprised of approximately 7 members. Certificate programs in office careers range from 17.5-63.5 quarter credits and span 1-4 quarters. The associate's degree programs are available for administrative office careers, customer service and office information systems.

Spokane Falls Community College

Also found in Spokane, this school has certificate programs spanning 1-3 quarters and administrative or information processing associate's degrees. A 9-member faculty provides the business technology instruction in these programs. SFCC also serves as a testing center for Microsoft certification, where students will have the opportunity to document their capabilities.

Tacoma Community College

Located in Tacoma, TCC offers 30-62 quarter-credit certificate programs for medical office careers. Additional courses may be necessary for students to gain word processing or typing skills. A 2-year degree is offered in health information management, making graduates eligible to sit for a national certification exam.

School Comparison Table

School Name School Type & Setting Secretarial Programs Offered Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2012-2013)
Bellevue College 4-year, public; midsize city Certificates of Accomplishment in Desktop Publishing for Print and Web, Business Software Specialist, Office Assistant or Database User Specialist;
Certificates of Achievement in Web Marketing Specialist, Administrative Assistant, Advanced Business Software Specialist or Human Resources Assistant;
Associate in Arts in Business Technology 		$3,763 in-state;
$8,953 out-of-state*
Clark College 2-year, public; midsize city Certificate of Achievement in Front Office Assistant;
Certificates of Completion in Office Skills or Computer Applications Skills;
Certificates of Proficiency in Office Assistant or Office Software Applications;
Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Assistant or Business Software Applications Specialist 		$3,650 in-state;
$8,840 out-of-state*
Edmonds Community College 2-year, public; large suburb Certificates in Accounting, Advanced Office Skills, Basic Office Skills, Medical Administrative Assistant, Medical Billing Specialist, Medical Office Clerk or Office Technology;
Associate of Technical Arts in Office Supervision and Management, Office Technology, Legal Office Specialist or Medical Information Technology;
Associate of Applied Science - Transfer in Office Supervision and Management 		$4,408 in-state;
$9,643 out-of-state*
Everett Community College 2-year, public; small city Certificates in Administrative Support, I-BEST Sustainable Office Skills, Legal Office Assistant, Legal Office Support, Medical Administrative Support, Medical Receptionist or Office Support;
Associate in Technical Arts in Business Technology, Legal Office Support or Medical Administrative Support 		$3,609 in-state;
$8,799 out-of-state*
Green River Community College 2-year, public; large suburb Certificates in Business Applications Specialist or Business Applications for Small Business;
Associate in Applied Arts in Business Applications Specialist 		$3,961 in-state;
$10,047 out-of-state*
Olympic College 4-year, public; small city Certificate of Recognition in Customer Service Specialist;
Certificate of Completion in Workplace Technology Skills;
Certificate of Proficiency in General Office Support;
Associate in Technical Arts in Administrative Office Support 		$3,726 in-state;
$4,197 out-of-state*
Pierce College at Fort Steilacoom 2-year, public; large suburb Professional/Technical Certificates in General Office Assistant, Integrated Business Technology (I-BEST), Medical Billing or Medical Office Assistant;
Associate in Arts in Administrative Assistant or Medical Office Assistant 		$3,777 in-state;
$8,967 out-of-state*
Spokane Community College 2-year, public; midsize city Certificates in Front Office Professional, Office Assistant, Office Clerk or Office Software Specialist;
Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Assistant, Administrative Office Management, Customer Service Representative or Office Information Systems 		$3,467 in-state;
$8,657 out-of-state*
Spokane Falls Community College 2-year, public; fringe rural Proficiency Certificates in Keyboarding/Document Processing, Business Writing, Office Management, Information Processing or Software Applications;
Certificates in Business/Software Applications, Certified Professional Secretary or Office Assistant;
Associate of Applied Science in Administrative Assistant, Administrative/Computer Specialist or Information Processing 		$3,467 in-state;
$8,657 out-of-state*
Tacoma Community College 2-year, public; midsize city Certificates in Medical Registration/Admission Specialist, Physician Practice Manager, Medical Reimbursement Specialist or Electronic Health Information Management;
Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Management 		$3,726 in-state;
$8,915 out-of-state*

Source: *NCES College Navigator.

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