Administrative Professional

Program Description

Administrative assistants have a wide range of front-line responsibilities in an organization. They provide support to managers and employees, assisting in daily office needs and managing a company’s general administrative activities such as filing paperwork, answering phone calls, preparing documents for a meeting, and managing the calendar of their supervisors. 

This program features courses that will provide the key skills and gain proficiency and knowledge needed to become a successful professional administrative assistant. Students will learn communication skills, task and time management, document creation and file management, scheduling and travel planning skills that are related to day to day work relationships, as well as common technologies used in the current workplace such as Window, Microsoft applications, online applications and cybersecurity.  Participants will ha​ve the opportunity to earn the Professiona​​l Administrative ​Certification of Excellence (PACE certification) as part of the program.​

Students entering this program should have good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, good organizational skills, good problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to take direction. Recommended is a typing speed of 40 wpm.

Professional administrative assistants work in a variety of industry sectors, in privately held companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Objectives

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. apply the knowledge and skills to function effectively as a professional administrative assistant,
2. prepare to gain employment as an administrative professional
3. prepare to earn the Professional Administrative Certification of Excellence (PACE certification), and
4. assume responsibility for continued professional and personal development through continuing education.

CCBC Pathway

Business Pathway - Pathways are designed to help you meet your academic and career goals by aligning related courses and programs.  Pathway students participate in a variety of activities that help explore career opportunities in their field of study.  You can meet with a CCBC advisor who help align — or realign — your educational plan with the Pathway that best supports you and your goals.

Program Credentials

​CCBC Credential:

Students will be awarded a Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, and will have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript). 

External Credential: 

Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence (PACE Certification).  Students will prepare for the PACE exam, cost is included in the course price.

Certifying Organization:

American Society of Administrative Professionals.  www.asaporg.com

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition,  the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Program Length

4 months

Program Requirements

HS Diploma or GED recommended. Good computer skills and a recommended typing speed of 40 wpm.

This program is eligible for Baltimore County Public Schools Blueprint funding.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Continuing Education Workforce Certificate program application.  An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Open Entry – No screening or documentation required.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has no options for obtaining course waiver(s) for prior learning.

Program Course Sequence

Additional Information

Skills for Success:

Good oral and written communication skills, good interpersonal skills, good organizational skills, good problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, ability to take direction.

Career Opportunities:

Professional administrative assistants work in a variety of industry sectors, in privately held companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more.  View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA.  Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information

Program Coordinator: Priscilla Cheung-Ing | pcheunging@ccbcmd.edu |443-840-​1612​ | Essex BESS 116

Administrative Assistant: Sarah Moore| smoore3@ccbcmd.edu | 443-840-​1632 |  Essex BESS 116