Guide to Online Associate's Degrees in Office Management

Let’s jump back twenty years to 1988. Back then, the typical office manager was probably a woman. She sat at a front desk, answered the phone, and filed papers. She ordered office supplies when the staples got low, and usually brought in a book for the slow days. And there were a lot of slow days.

Now, let’s fast forward to 2008 and take a look at the person running the office with an office management associate degree. This person is a highly skilled professional who’s adept at managing the increasingly complex world of a business office. Sure they might answer the phone, but they also might be working with a web designer to update the company’s website. They might be crafting next quarter’s budget, designing a brochure, managing personnel, overseeing security, maximizing the building’s space for both employees and equipment, or working on public relations. In this day and age, office managers are the driving force behind a business’s internal workings.

If you have an interest in the world of business and think you’d like to work as an office manager (or if you’re currently in the field and are trying to stay competitive) then getting an office management associate degree is a great choice for you.

With this degree, you’ll be learning things like:

Office design and space management
Employee supervision
Accounting
Office systems operation (like Powerpoint, Word and Excel)
Management and labor relations
Scheduling
Public relations
Communication skills
Business management data evaluation
Business management practices (like recruiting, hiring, and firing)
And much more!

As you can probably tell, the office managers of today are talented multi-taskers who make sure the entire office runs smoothly.

Now, with an office management associate degree you’ll be able to work in a variety of different business settings. Some schools offer certain concentrations, like health care or law, and if you’re interested in working in either of these two environments it might be better to get a more specialized degree. This will allow you to learn the terminology and practices that these two fields commonly use.

The average salary for office managers ranges from $30,000 to $45,000 or more, depending on the company and how much experience you have. Oftentimes this is a position that will allow you to move up the corporate ladder, especially if you have additional skills and education.

The job outlook for office managers looks pretty stable, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It’s not a lagging field, but it’s not growing as fast as some of the tech positions. It’s a slow, steady growth.

So, if you like the idea of being the “go to” person in an office, you’re organized, and you can answer the phone, send and email, and fix the fax machine all at once (just kidding!) then getting an office management associate degree might be the perfect path for you.

Guide to Online Associates Degree Programs

Associate degree holders generally have better job prospects than those with only a high school diploma. Earning an associate degree usually takes two years, and doing so in at an online school can be much more convenient than at a traditional campus. Below are the top accredited online schools offering associate degrees in the US.

	With one of the largest offerings of accredited online associate degrees, Post University is consistently highly rated by its students because of its flexibility and affordability. All associate degrees offered are fully accredited. Post was founded in 1890 and has been providing highly-rated degree programs to students ever since with an emphasis on practicality and application. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The University of Phoenix was one of the first accredited colleges to offer online degrees. Today, it has grown to become one of the nation's largest universities through its online division and campuses coast to coast. They remain one of the top choices for students looking for an associates degree online because of the broad array of choice and affordability they offer students. Read full school profile » Request Information
	With perhaps the largest number of online associates degrees offered, Kaplan University's degrees are fully accredited, affordable, and offer a flexibility that many other online schools cannot match. This unrivaled selection spans several industries, hundreds of specializations, and all degree levels of education, empowering students to choose their own path to a career. Read full school profile » Request Information
	One of the nation's leading Christian universities, Liberty offers a broad range of accredited associate degrees online. Their incorporation of moral and ethical considerations into study make them a popular choice for students seeking a well-rounded education built on academic integrity. Established in 1985, Liberty University has one of the longest-standing online education programs in the country. Read full school profile » Request Information
	The online associates degrees at Everest University can be completed in under 2 years, making this a great way for students to quickly works towards their life goals. An associates degree can give you a jump-start on your career and open opportunities around every corner. Many of the programs help students pursue positions in ever-growing fields. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Virginia College offers a wide range of accredited associates programs. VC takes several steps in helping students pays for college by offering financial aid to those who qualify, including textbooks in the tuition cost, and providing online programs that can be completed under two (2) years, giving students a quick way to jump start their careers. Read full school profile » Request Information
	DeVry University is a highly-regarded leader in education with campuses across the nation and several online degrees available. DeVry focuses on providing degrees centered in the technology industry or fields that require a broad understanding and need for technical skills. DeVry has several highly popular degrees like Accounting, Web Graphic Design, Health IT, and Network Systems Administration. Read full school profile » Request Information
	Strayer University has over the last decade become one of the most respected schools offering accredited online associate degrees. Their strong reputation among employers, broad course offerings, and over one hundred years in education make them consistently a top choice for students. Strayer has over 85 campuses and 60,000 students currently attending online or at one of its campuses. Read full school profile » Request Information