Top 11 School Secretary Certifications

Certifications for a school secretary are important in the job market because they demonstrate a level of competence and knowledge that employers look for when hiring. Certifications show that the individual has taken the time to stay up-to-date on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in the field. In addition, certifications provide evidence that an individual has met certain standards of performance, giving employers more confidence in their abilities. They also give job seekers an edge over those without certifications when competing for positions. Lastly, certifications can open up new opportunities for advancement or additional responsibilities within a school system.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for School Secretarys and explain how they can help to advance a school secretary's career.

What are School Secretary Certifications?

School secretary certification is a type of professional credential that recognizes an individual's knowledge and skill in the field of school administration. The certification is offered by a variety of organizations, including the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP). It provides an opportunity for individuals to demonstrate their understanding of the principles, procedures, and processes involved in school administration.

The certification helps to ensure that those working as school secretaries have the necessary skills and qualifications to perform their jobs effectively. It also serves as a form of recognition for those who have taken the time to develop their knowledge and expertise in this area. By having this certification, it can be used as evidence of competency when applying for job opportunities or promotions within the school system. It can also help individuals stand out from other applicants when seeking higher-level positions in education or related fields. Additionally, having this certification may open up opportunities for networking with other professionals in the same field.

Pro Tip: Obtaining a school secretary certification will give you the knowledge and skills to be successful in your job. Additionally, look into obtaining additional certifications that focus on specific software programs or other areas of expertise related to school secretaries. This will help you stay up-to-date with industry standards and make you more competitive in the job market.

Related: What does a School Secretary do?

Top 11 School Secretary Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to School Secretarys today.

1. Certified School Secretary (CSS)

Certified School Secretary (CSS) is a professional certification for school secretaries. It is awarded by the National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS). The certification is designed to recognize the skills and knowledge necessary to perform the duties of a school secretary.

The certification process requires applicants to pass a written exam that covers topics such as office management, communication, records management, and other related areas. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CSS certification, applicants must have at least one year of experience in a school setting or working with students in an educational environment. Additionally, they must have completed at least five college credits in business or secretarial studies.

The cost of the CSS certification varies depending on the type of application chosen. An online application costs $125 while a paper application costs $150. Both applications require payment prior to taking the exam.

Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will receive their Certified School Secretary certificate within four weeks after submission of their application materials.

2. Certified Educational Office Professional (CEOP)

Certified Educational Office Professional (CEOP) is a professional certification program that recognizes office professionals who have demonstrated mastery of the skills and knowledge necessary to perform successfully in an educational setting. The CEOP program is designed to provide a comprehensive set of standards for office professionals working in educational settings. It is administered by the National Association of Educational Office Professionals (NAEOP).

The CEOP program consists of four levels: Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4. Each level requires a certain number of hours of coursework and/or experience in order to qualify for certification. To become certified at any level, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as communication, organization, technology usage, customer service, and other related areas.

The amount of time it takes to get CEOP certification depends on the applicant's current experience level and the number of hours they are willing to commit to completing the required coursework or gaining additional experience. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete all four levels.

In order to get CEOP certification, applicants must first submit an application form along with their resume and transcripts demonstrating their educational background. They then must register for the appropriate courses or gain additional experience in order to meet the requirements for each level. Once they have completed all four levels, they will need to take a final exam before being awarded their CEOP certificate.

The cost for getting CEOP certification varies depending on the applicant's current experience level and how many courses they choose to take or how much additional experience they gain in order to meet the requirements for each level. Generally speaking, it can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 USD depending on these factors.

3. Certified Professional Secretary (CPS)

Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) is a professional certification awarded by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of administrative professionals. The CPS certification demonstrates that an individual has achieved a level of mastery in the core competencies required for successful performance in an administrative role.

To obtain the CPS certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as office operations, communications, customer service, technology, and professional development. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the exam, applicants must have at least three years of full-time work experience as an administrative professional or have completed a college degree program related to administrative support or business management. Applicants must also meet other requirements outlined by IAAP.

The cost for the CPS certification exam varies depending on your location and whether you are an IAAP member or not. In general, it costs around $250 USD to take the exam. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with obtaining study materials or taking a preparatory course prior to taking the exam.

4. National Association of Legal Secretaries Certification (NALS)

The National Association of Legal Secretaries (NALS) Certification is a professional certification program for legal secretaries. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of legal secretaries who have achieved a high level of competency in their field. The certification is awarded by NALS, a professional association that promotes excellence in the legal profession.

In order to become certified, applicants must pass an examination that tests their knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities associated with being a legal secretary. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as court procedures, filing systems, document preparation, and other related topics.

The exam takes approximately two hours to complete and can be taken at any approved testing center or online through NALS' website. To register for the exam, applicants must submit an application form along with a fee of $125.

Once an applicant has passed the exam, they will receive their certification from NALS within six weeks. Upon receiving their certification, they will be able to use the designation “Certified Legal Secretary” on resumes and business cards, which demonstrates their commitment to professional excellence in the field.

5. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS)

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification (MOS) is a globally recognized certification program that proves an individual’s skills in using Microsoft Office applications. It is designed to validate one’s proficiency in the core features and functions of Microsoft Office programs, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, and OneNote.

The MOS certification process typically takes about three months to complete. To get certified, you must pass one or more exams administered by Certiport. These exams are available online or at authorized testing centers around the world. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location and the type of exam you take. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $60 to $150 per exam.

To prepare for the MOS certification exams, you can take courses offered by Microsoft or other providers, use self-study materials such as practice tests and study guides, or attend instructor-led training sessions. Once you have passed all required exams and received your MOS certification credentials, you will be qualified to demonstrate your knowledge of Microsoft Office applications in job interviews and on resumes.

6. Certified Administrative Professional (CAP)

Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) is a certification program offered by the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). The CAP credential is designed to recognize and validate the skills and knowledge of administrative professionals worldwide. It demonstrates that an individual has achieved a high level of proficiency in the administrative field.

The CAP program consists of three parts: a comprehensive exam, a professional development course, and an experiential component. The comprehensive exam covers topics such as office management, communications, customer service, technology, and project management. The professional development course provides additional training on topics related to the workplace environment and job duties. Finally, the experiential component requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge through real-world application.

It typically takes 6-12 months to complete all three components of the CAP program. To get started, applicants must submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or work experience verification. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be assigned a mentor who will guide them through each step of the process.

The cost for the CAP program varies depending on how many components are completed at once. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,000 to complete all three components at once.

7. Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA)

Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) is a certification that recognizes the professional skills and knowledge of individuals who work in medical administrative roles. It is designed to help those working in the medical industry demonstrate their expertise and commitment to quality care. The CMAA certification is offered by the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

It typically takes about six months to complete the program and receive your certification. To become certified, you must first meet eligibility requirements such as having a high school diploma or GED, completing an approved medical administrative assistant program, and passing the CMAA exam. Once you meet these requirements, you can register for the exam online through the NHA website.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on which study materials you choose to use. The exam itself costs $129. Additionally, there are study materials available from NHA which range from $50-$100 depending on what you choose.

8. Certified Professional Administrator (CPA)

Certified Professional Administrator (CPA) is a professional certification awarded by the Institute of Certified Professional Administrators (ICPA). It is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence in the field of professional administration. The CPA credential is recognized worldwide as a mark of excellence in the profession.

The CPA certification process consists of three steps: passing an exam, completing an application, and submitting references. The exam covers topics such as business law, ethics, financial management, human resources, information technology, marketing, operations management, organizational behavior, project management, and strategic planning. Candidates must pass the exam with a score of 70% or higher in order to be eligible for certification.

The application requires candidates to provide information about their education and work experience. They must also submit three letters of reference from professional colleagues or supervisors who can attest to their qualifications for the CPA credential.

The cost of obtaining the CPA credential varies depending on location and other factors. Generally speaking, it costs between $500 and $1,000 USD to take the exam and complete the application process. Additional fees may apply for additional services such as review courses or study materials.

It typically takes two to four months to complete all three steps of the CPA certification process. However, this timeline can vary depending on individual circumstances such as availability of references or scheduling conflicts with exams or other activities related to obtaining the CPA credential.

9. Notary Public Certification

Notary Public Certification is a certification that allows an individual to serve as an impartial witness for the signing of legal documents. It is typically used for the signing of contracts, wills, deeds, affidavits, and other legal documents. Notary Public Certification is granted by state governments and requires that the individual pass a written exam and background check.

The process of becoming a Notary Public can vary from state to state but typically involves completing an application with the state government office in charge of notaries public. The application will require basic information such as contact information, work experience, education level, and any criminal history. Once the application is approved, applicants must pass a written exam in order to become certified.

The length of time it takes to complete the process varies depending on each individual's situation. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from two weeks to several months for an applicant to be approved and certified as a Notary Public.

The cost of obtaining Notary Public Certification also varies from state to state but generally ranges from $50-$200. This cost usually includes filing fees for the application as well as any additional fees associated with taking the written exam or background check.

10. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is an internationally recognized professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge and skill in the management of records. The CRM is offered by ARMA International, a professional association for information professionals.

To become certified, individuals must pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as records management principles and practices, retention schedules, legal requirements, technology applications, and more. The exam is administered by ARMA International and can be taken at various locations around the world. It typically takes two to four hours to complete the exam.

In order to take the exam, applicants must first apply online through ARMA International’s website. Applicants must provide proof of education or experience in records management or related fields in order to qualify for the certification. Once approved, applicants will receive an email with instructions on how to register for the exam and pay the associated fee which is currently $375 USD.

Once applicants have successfully completed the exam they will receive their official CRM certificate from ARMA International within four weeks of taking the test. The certificate is valid for three years before needing to be renewed by retaking the exam or completing continuing education courses offered by ARMA International.

11. Certificate in School Business Management and Administration

Certificate in School Business Management and Administration is a professional certificate program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to manage and administer the business operations of a school. The program typically takes one year to complete and covers topics such as accounting, budgeting, human resources management, communication, legal issues, technology management, and other related topics.

Students who are interested in obtaining this certificate must have an undergraduate degree or equivalent experience in business or education. Most programs require applicants to have at least two years of work experience in a school setting before they can be admitted into the program.

The cost of the Certificate in School Business Management and Administration varies depending on the institution offering it. Generally speaking, tuition fees range from $2,000-$4,000 for the entire program. Additional costs may include textbooks, supplies and fees associated with any field trips or internships required by some institutions.

In order to receive the Certificate in School Business Management and Administration, students must complete all required coursework as well as any additional requirements set forth by their institution. Upon completion of all coursework requirements, students will then need to pass an exam administered by their institution or an accredited testing agency in order to receive their certificate.

Do You Really Need a School Secretary Certificate?

The answer to this question really depends on the individual situation. For some people, a school secretary certificate may be necessary in order to obtain a job as a school secretary. In other cases, it may not be necessary at all. It is important to consider the requirements of the job and whether or not a certificate would be beneficial.

For those looking to work in an administrative role in a school, obtaining a school secretary certificate can provide them with an advantage when applying for jobs. This certificate demonstrates that they have taken courses related to the field and possess basic knowledge of office management. Additionally, employers may prefer applicants who have a certificate over those who do not since it indicates that they are serious about their career and are willing to take extra steps to become successful.

On the other hand, there are some instances where having a school secretary certificate is not necessary. If someone already has years of experience working in an administrative role or if they possess other qualifications such as computer skills or customer service experience, then they may not need this type of certification. Ultimately, it comes down to what the employer is looking for and whether or not having this certification will give you an edge over other applicants.

In conclusion, whether or not someone needs a school secretary certificate really depends on the individual situation and the requirements of the job. It can certainly give applicants an advantage when applying for jobs but it is ultimately up to each person to decide if obtaining this type of certification is worth their time and effort.

Related: School Secretary Resume Examples

FAQs About School Secretary Certifications

1. What is a school secretary certification?

Answer: A school secretary certification is a professional accreditation that recognizes the skills and abilities of those who work in administrative roles in educational institutions. The certification requires successful completion of exams and other requirements, such as experience, to demonstrate competency in areas such as records management, office procedures, communication, and technology.

2. How long does it take to get certified?

Answer: The length of time required to become certified varies depending on the specific program and requirements. Generally, it takes between one to two years to complete all the necessary courses and exams for certification.

3. Is there an age requirement for certification?

Answer: No, there is no age requirement for school secretary certifications. Anyone interested in pursuing this career path can do so regardless of their age.

4. What type of job opportunities are available with a school secretary certification?

Answer: With a school secretary certification, individuals can pursue jobs as office managers, administrative assistants, receptionists or secretaries at elementary schools, middle schools or high schools. They may also be eligible for positions within universities or other educational institutions.

5. Are there continuing education requirements after becoming certified?

Answer: Yes, most certifying bodies require that individuals maintain their certifications by completing continuing education credits on an annual basis. This ensures that they stay up-to-date on new technologies and procedures related to their role as a school secretary.