2021 Business Support & Assistant Services Degree Guide
There is more to being an assistant than just answering phone calls and fetching the boss's coffee. Almost every office needs a support staff to keep the company running smoothly. Individuals who study Business Support and Assistant Services will be instructed in the duties of becoming an administrative assistant, secretary or stenographer. These skills learned will help you run an office efficiently.
Some of the concentrations available within this major include Executive Assistant, Receptionist, General Office Occupations and Clerical Services, Parts, Warehousing, and Inventory Management Operations, and Traffic, Customs, and Transportation Clerk. While studying this major you will be taking courses in office simulation, desktop publishing, business math, business communication, report writing, administrative office management, and records management. These classes will allow students to grasp the fundamentals of Business Support and Assistant Services. This major is commonly offered as an Associate's Degree.
Featured schools near , edit
Business Support & Assistant Services Degrees Decreasing
In 2018-2019, business support and assistant services was the 138th most popular major nationwide with 4,483 degrees awarded. This represents a 14.5% reduction in business support degrees awarded over the prior year's total of -5,133.
There are 552 schools offering degrees in business support and assistant services in the United States. Explore this or one of our many other custom business support rankings further below.
What Are The Requirements For a Degree in Business Support & Assistant Services
If you are able to multitask, this major is for you. The nature of this work is often fast-paced and requires your attention to be on many different things at a time. Being organized and having good people skills will help you be successful in your classes and the work place. If you have the ability to stay organized and keep times and files in order; it will not only benefit you, but the company as well. In order to prepare for this major, it is advised to take courses in English, Precollege math, Psychology, Business and Computer applications.
Prior Education for a Business Support Program
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most business support degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Specific business support careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Types of Business Support & Assistant Services Degrees
There are various different levels of business support degrees. Business Support & Assistant Services programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest business support degree you can get. The type of business support degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A high school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to business support, with approximately 47.5% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to business support tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma | 46.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 21.1% |
| Some College Courses | 13.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 11.8% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.4% |
50.7% of business support workers have at least a award taking less than 1 year. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in business support and assistant services have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which business support career you choose.
Career Opportunities for A Degree In Business Support Graduate
A graduate with a degree in Business Support and Assistant Services can enter into a variety of occupations. One popular choice is to become an Administrative Assistant. These Assistants help and provide office support services, such as schedule appointments, input data, draft and type letters, and make travel arrangements. The demand for Administrative Assistants is growing at a steady rate. Another occupation that a graduate can consider is a Human Resources Manager. These individuals make sure the employer and employee relationships are running smoothly and oversee the salaries, training and hiring of the company. The demand for these managers is growing at a steady rate, as well. One more opportunity for graduates is to become a paralegal. Paralegals assist lawyer by preparing legal documents for activates such as trials, corporate meetings, and hearing.
Steady Demand Projected for Business Support Careers
Want a job when you graduate with your business support degree?
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to business support and assistant services.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks | 3,086,000 | -1.0% |
| Customer Service Representatives | 2,920,800 | 4.9% |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | 2,371,300 | -6.5% |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | 1,149,200 | 9.1% |
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | 566,200 | -17.4% |
Business Support Degree Salary Potential
Business Support & Assistant Services graduates between 2015-2017 reported earning an average of $20,190 in the 2017-2018 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $9,300 to as high as $42,300. As you might expect, salaries for business support graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Highest Paid Business Support Careers
Salaries for business support and assistant services graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top 5 highest paying careers business support grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $61,550 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $50,020 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $46,070 |
| Procurement Clerks | $43,180 |
| Dispatchers | $42,940 |
Getting Your Business Support & Assistant Services Degree
With over 848 different business support degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased business support school rankings to help you with this.
Top Ranking Lists for Business Support & Assistant Services
Majors Related to Business Support
One of 21 majors within the Business, Management & Marketing area of study, Business Support & Assistant Services has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Business Support
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration & Management | 363,728 |
| Accounting | 87,112 |
| General Business/Commerce | 53,285 |
| Finance & Financial Management | 52,678 |
| Marketing | 48,756 |
View All Business Support Related Majors >
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More > |
Request Info
|
Purdue University
Building on Purdue’s mission to provide greater access to affordable, world-class education, Purdue University Global delivers a fully personalized online experience that’s tailored to working adults. By opening the doors to adults who need flexibility to fit learning into their busy lives, we make it possible to achieve a high-quality education from the prestigious Purdue University system—completely online ... Learn More > |
Request Info
|
Grand Canyon University (GCU)
With a spotlight on intellectual creativity and innovation for the 21stcentury, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at GCU provides a job focused education. It blends the study of traditional humanities in a modern context. Through academic inquiry and beyond the box thinking, the college advances our society and its accomplishments ... Learn More > |
Request Info
|
Northcentral University
Northcentral University (NCU) was founded to provide accessible, high-quality, online graduate degrees to working professionals. As a regionally accredited, online university, NCU serves students worldwide, focusing on Doctoral and Master's degree programs in the Schools of Business and Technology Management, Education, Psychology, and Marriage and Family Sciences ... Learn More > |
Request Info
|
Colorado Technical University (CTU)
CTU could help you connect to what matters most: a powerful professional community, aculty who are real-world professionals, and innovative technology ... Learn More > |
College Factual provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© College Factual – All Rights Reserved.
