Executive assistants have a lot of responsibility for organizing and managing the day-to-day of top individuals at an organization. It’s a very fulfilling role and one of the highest ranked professions in the administrative world.
But what does it take to learn how to be an executive assistant? And is it possible to learn online?
I’m here to answer those questions by sharing with you the top ten executive assistant courses. I’ve spent a lot of time researching and sampling executive assistant courses and I’ve included all of the key information in this article.
Alongside the best executive search courses, I’ll also go over the costs, the length of courses, the difference between accredited and non-accredited courses and the benefits of taking an online executive assistant course.
So, let’s get started!
What is the best online executive assistant course?
These are our top executive assistant course recommendations:
- The unrivaled assistant (Practically Perfect PA)
- Executive assistants: Manage client’s Gcal (Udemy)
- Introduction to administrative professional jobs (Skillshare)
- Executive support (edX)
- Administrative professional tips (LinkedIn Learning)
- PA course [virtual classroom] (Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators)
- Assistant essentials (Practically Perfect PA)
- Productivity skills for executive personal assistants (Skillshare)
- Executive travel planning for assistants in 2023 (Udemy)
- Executive PA diploma – CPD accredited (Souters Training)
My top pick is The unrivaled assistant, offered by Practically Perfect PA.
The lessons here are the most comprehensive on the list. This is because this course actually combines three of the site’s courses.
You will learn not only the essentials of being an executive assistant but also tips and advice on how to develop both your skills and your mindset for success in the role.
If you’re currently an executive assistant looking to develop a particular skill, Udemy has some great courses on calendar management and travel planning.
I recommend Executive assistants: Manage client’s Gcal and Executive travel planning for assistants in 2023.
Finally, there are accredited options, which provide you with certification from an independent body. These courses are great for your employability in the executive assistant role and, because of their cost and time intensity, are better for those who are committed to the profession.
My top picks for accredited courses are Executive PA diploma – CPD accredited (Souters Training) and PA course [virtual classroom] (Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators).
Best executive assistant course reviews
1. The unrivaled assistant (Practically Perfect PA)
Platform: Practically Perfect PA | Teachers: Nicky Christmas | Course length: Over 50 videos
This is my top pick because it is the most comprehensive guide to being an executive assistant, combining three of the site’s courses into one and offering them together at a discounted rate.
Here, you’ll get the essentials of what it takes to be an executive assistant, the qualities you need to succeed and more direct tips on skills for productivity and time management.
Practically Perfect PA has been a top resource for executive assistants around the world, with over 30,000 subscribers from 100+ countries.
You will learn:
- The essentials of working with your executive
- Optimizing your executive’s time
- Essential tasks and traditional aspects of being an executive assistant
- Using technology to become productive
- Having a productive mindset
- Communicating effectively
- Understanding your colleagues
Pros:
- Very comprehensive insight into the profession
- Introduces you to the role
- Also teaches key skills and competencies
- Combines a range of teaching methods, including videos, templates and worksheets
- Taught by leaders in the industry
- Multiple teachers; a variety of perspectives
- Lifetime access
- Refundable within the first 30 days
Cons:
- Hard to tell whether this course bundle or a specific course is better for beginners
Best for: Anyone interested in becoming, or is new to being, an executive assistant
Overall: Probably the most comprehensive introduction to being an executive assistant on the internet. That’s because this course is actually three courses, combining the essentials of the role, the key skills required and the mindset you need to succeed. Besides being comprehensive, this course also has a range of resources with instructors from a variety of top trainers.
2. Executive assistants: Manage client’s Gcal (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teachers: Erin Booth | Course length: 2.5 hours
Unlike our number one, the class focuses more specifically on an essential skill for executive assistants; managing a calendar and specifically Google Calendar.
With 2.5 hours of content, these lessons go really in-depth into managing Google Calendar, a resource used more and more by executive assistants across the world.
Your instructor is Erin Booth, who has taught virtual assistance to other 38,000 students on Udemy. This course in particular has over 3,000 students and a very high 4.9-star rating out of 5.
You will learn:
- How to create a new Gmail account
- Creating and adding events to your digital calendar
- Coordinating events with a third-party
- Booking events, in person and virtually
- Make changes to an event
- Color coding events
- Customizing your settings
- Customizing your calendar layout
- Using the smartphone app
- Strategies for smart calendar management
- Deleting the VA or Client accounts
Pros:
- Goes into great detail about a specific tool used by executive assistants
- Led by an experienced and super engaging instructor
- Widely accessible for both beginners and professional executive assistants
- Offers broader advice on executive assistant skills, like calendar management
- Content is updated and relevant
- Well-structured and easy to understand
- Contains lots of helpful examples for executive assistants
Cons:
- Not all executive assistants use Gcal
Best for: Beginner and more intermediate executive assistants who are starting to use Google Calendar in the workplace
Overall: This course is essential viewing for any new executive assistant who will be using GCal. The instructor is very knowledgeable and has an upbeat tone, and the lessons go into systematic detail about how you can use GCal to master your role as an executive assistant.
3. Introduction to administrative professional jobs (Skillshare)
Platform: Skillshare | Teachers: Rosamaria Carrillo | Course length: 1 hour and 20 minutes
In this broad course you’ll get an insight into the wide range of administrative roles out there and specific lessons on what it takes to be an executive assistant. It’s ideal for beginners who are considering being an executive assistant, but also want insight into the wider administrative world.
Skillshare is a subscription service giving access to all of its content. So, if you browse the site and see there are other courses you’re interested in, including the other option on this list, Skillshare might be right for you.
You will learn:
- Why should you consider being an executive assistant?
- Role ambiguity
- Administrative assistance
- The executive assistant role
- Overview of administrative duties
- The value of assistants
- Communication skills
- Time management skills
- Organizational skills
- Tech savviness
Pros:
- Provides a strong overview of the world of administration
- Gives insight into the skills required to succeed
- Allows you to consider other career options in the administrative world
- Includes a class project
- Skills taught are transferable but essential for an executive assistant
Cons:
- Only partially focuses on the executive assistant role
- Instructor could be more engaging
Best for: Non-executive assistants considering a role in the world of an executive assistant or administration more generally
Overall: Many people reading this list will be considering whether the job of executive assistant is right for them. Some will be settled on it, others may be less far along in the journey. If that’s the case, this course is for you. It provides an insight into the world of the executive assistant, and administration more generally. You’ll learn what the role looks like, what skills it requires and hopefully whether or not it’s right for you.
4. Executive support (edX)
Platform: edX | Teachers: University of Cape Town | Course length: 10 weeks, with 7 to 10 hours per week
Here we have a course offered by edX in collaboration with the University of Cape Town.
The classes here are the first on this list to be led directly by an instructor, rather than a series of on-demand videos. So if you feel you learn better by directly engaging with a teacher, this might be the best pick for you.
edX is unique in that it collaborates with some of the leading universities in the world in order to provide its courses. This means that by the end of this class, you’ll have a certificate validated by the University of Cape Town.
You will learn:
- About the corporate environment and executive support
- Advanced executive administrative support
- Effective communication
- Conflict management
- Advanced computer practices
- Written communication and presentation skills
- Fundamentals of finance management
- Leadership and people management
- Staff training and development
- Self-management skills
Pros:
- Offered in collaboration with a leading university
- Instructor-led, allowing you to develop a strong relationship what your teacher
- Very comprehensive with ten weeks of learning
- Focuses on the transferable skills of executive assistants
- Fosters a real sense of a learning community
- Very in-depth
Cons:
- Starts on fixed dates
Best for: Executive assistants who want to develop the competencies to be able to work at a higher level
Overall: In collaboration with the University of Cape Town, this course offers a very comprehensive guide into the world of an executive assistant, promising transferable skills that will take you to the next level. It’s guided directly by an instructor, so if you value personable teaching, maybe check this one out.
5. Administrative professional tips (LinkedIn Learning)
Platform: LinkedIn Learning | Teachers: April Stallworth | Course length: 3 hours and 2 minutes
Rather than a course focusing specifically on executive assistants, these lessons offer broader insights into the administrative skills required for the job.
This course allows existing executive assistants to take a step back and reflect on the administrative competencies required for their role. It has an incredible 400,000+ learners.
LinkedIn Learning is the educational offshoot of LinkedIn, the biggest professional network in the world. So it’s an ideal place for anybody to learn the key skills required for success in their profession.
You will learn:
- The personality required for administrative assistance
- Knowing and partnering with your executive
- Administrative resources
- Social networking and online etiquette
- Decision making
- Coping with change
- Setting expectations and maintaining boundaries
- Professional meeting minutes
- Managing interruptions
- Executive meetings and events
- Office technology
- Organizing physical and electronic files
- Apps
- Taking control of your career
Pros:
- Very comprehensive
- Well-presented and high-quality production value
- Helpful for executive assistants in terms of practical skills
- Also offers insight into the more personal and emotional skills of administration
- Taught by a top-quality instructor who draws on a wealth of experiences
- Includes helpful visuals
- LinkedIn Learning certificate
Cons:
- Not all specific to executive assistants
- Includes a little bit of corporate fluff
Best for: Executive assistants who want to take a step back and reflect on their administrative skills
Overall: One of the most visually appealing courses, which is matched by the content. April Stallworth provides key insights into the administrative world, which most executive assistants will find relevant. This includes lessons on career management, mentorship and other skills often ignored in executive assistant courses.
6. PA course [virtual classroom] (Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators)
Platform: Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators | Teachers: Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators | Course length: 5 days
At number six, we have a course that’s both offered and accredited by the Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators.
Like the edX course, this option aims to replicate the classroom online, and offers five days of intensive training, providing you with an understanding of the best practices in the executive assistant world.
The qualification you receive here will look great on your CV and is the ideal starting point for entering the executive assistant profession.
You will learn:
- The job functions of a PA
- Diary and schedule management
- Business writing
- Communication skills
- CV and career development
- Writing professional emails and memos
- Telephone skills
- Arranging hotel and travel
- Filing systems
- Time management
- Work and task planning
- Reading and proofreading skills
- Confidence typing and touch skills
Pros:
- Virtual classroom, allowing you to ask questions and participate
- Developed by experienced tutors
- Includes lots of examples and ‘on-the-job’ simulations
- Provides details on the best practices and approaches for executive assistants
- Includes an internationally recognised accreditation
- Taught by a leading organization in the PA world
Cons:
- Big commitment, can be hard to tell if its right for you, especially if you are just starting out
Best for: Those committed to the executive assistant role who want to make their CV outstanding
Overall: Having some kind of accreditation is important for demonstrating your knowledge of any profession, including executive assistant. In just five days, this course will equip you with all of the best practices and industry advice you need to become a successful executive assistant. In the end, you’ll receive certification from the IEAA, which is internationally recognised and sets you apart from the crowd.
7. Assistant essentials (Practically Perfect PA)
Platform: Practically Perfect PA | Teachers: Nicky Christmas | Course length: 7 modules divided into 20 video sessions
At number 7 we have an interesting choice, in that it has actually appeared on this list before. Assistant Essentials is the first part of my top choice, The unrivaled assistant. However, the course is also available to purchase separately and for a cheaper price.
I’ve included this on the list because I wanted to show you the range of options out there. If you’re reading this and thinking that The unrivaled assistant is too much too soon, this course is ideal as it sheds a light on the very basics of being an executive assistant.
In this sense, it’s an ideal course for people outside of the executive assistant world who want to look into it.
You will learn:
- The essential tasks of an executive assistant
- Managing meetings and minutes
- Travel planning
- Event management
- Email management
- Managing your executive
- Common projects
Pros:
- Equips you with knowledge of the basics
- Covers each essential skill methodically
- Combines a range of teaching methods, including videos, templates and worksheets
- Taught by leaders in the industry
- Multiple teachers; a variety of perspectives
- Lifetime access
- Refundable within the first 30 days
Cons:
- Might be hard to know if this or The unrivaled assistant is a better option for you
Best for: Anyone outside of the executive assistant world who’s interested in how it works
Overall: These lessons cover the same content as The unrivaled assistant, but you can purchase them separately for a cheaper price. So this is a better option for anyone interested in the executive assistant role who isn’t sure about committing to all the other classes in The unrivaled assistant.
8. Productivity skills for executive personal assistants (Skillshare)
Platform: Skillshare | Teachers: Mackenzie Wilson | Course length: 59 minutes
At number 8, we have another class from Skillshare, with this one focusing more specifically on the world of the executive assistant.
The lessons here are great for anyone who has decided to become an executive assistant and wants to learn more specifically about what type of skills it requires and how to employ them.
As Skillshare is a subscription service, by subscribing you have access to both this course and Introduction to administrative professional jobs, so you can take that course as an introduction and this course to hone your skills.
You will learn:
- Working with your manager
- Administrative soft skills
- Effective time management
- Tools of the trade
- Being an effective gatekeeper
- Organizational skills
- Confidentiality guidelines
- Special tasks
Pros:
- Provides clear and detailed lessons on the key skills
- Just 59 minutes, allowing you to learn rapidly
- Broken into easily digestible lessons
- Subscription service allows you access other executive assistant courses
- Easy to follow
- Includes a class project
Cons:
- Could go into more detail
- Not a great presentation style
Best for: Any new to executive assistance who wants a specific insight into the skills required
Overall: Here, you’ll learn a basic overview of the key attributes of a good executive assistant. This is a great pick for anyone who is thinking about becoming an executive assistant and wants to understand more about the role. Also, as Skillshare is a subscription site, by subscribing you have access to their whole catalog. I’d recommend taking Introduction to administrative professional jobs first, and then this class, if you decide being an executive assistant is for you.
9. Executive travel planning for assistants in 2023 (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teachers: Erin Booth | Course length: 3.5 hours
This course focuses specifically on a key skills for executive assistants – travel planning.
It’s filled with tips and advice and is again led by Erin Booth, who has a great teaching style.
The class has over 1,000 students. Again, it’s an ideal one for executive assistants looking to develop a particular skill, which is a testament to Udemy’s habit of allowing instructors to really focus on the specifics of their profession.
You will learn:
- Travel onboarding
- Airport security programs
- Domestic air travel
- International travel booking
- Flying with children and pets
- Understanding miles, alliances and upgrades
- After-hours and emergencies
- Credit cards and international money
- Ground transportation and car service
- Hotels
- Preparing the executive’s phone for global travel
- Booking private, luxury travel
Pros:
- Goes into explicit detail about a key aspect of executive assistance
- Broken into easily digestible chunks that cover each theme
- Led by a very engaging instructor, who knows exactly what she’s doing
- Not a very big time commitment, but will provide you with key knowledge
- Helpful guidance for new and existing executive assistants
- Applicable for all executive assistance
- Includes additional resources and an exam to test your knowledge
Cons:
- Quite US-centric
Best for: Executive assistants who use travel planning as a skill in their profession, which is most of them!
Overall: Travel is an essential part of the business world, so managing travel has become an essential skill for executive assistants. And this course is the place to go for everything you need to know about travel planning. Each lesson is packed with detailed and specific guidance on how to manage and plan travel as effectively as possible.
10. Executive PA diploma – CPD accredited (Souters Training)
Platform: Souters Training | Teachers: Souters Training | Course length: 6 months
This accredited diploma is offered by Souters Training and is CPD (Continuing Professional Development) accredited.
It’s the longest course on this list. So it’s really designed for those set on executive assistant as a career path who want to invest in their future.
CPD accreditation is used by a variety of different professions and is recognised across the globe. The certificate will look great on your CV and open many doors.
You will learn:
- The job functions of a PA
- The transition from PA to Executive Assistant
- Document presentation and proofreading
- How to take minutes
- Confidence in executive-level environments
- Synchronizing files with your executive
- Setting your priorities and managing your career
- Delegation and multi-tasking
- Providing support to your executive
- Effective communication skills
- Project and event management for EAs
- Understanding others you work with
- Microsoft Office
Pros:
- Very in-depth and comprehensive
- Highlights the importance and uniqueness of being an executive assistant
- Delves into some of the theory and people issues behind executive-level work
- Practical – includes a class on effectively using Microsoft Office and optional typing course
- Accredited certifcation
Cons:
- Quite expensive
- A big commitment in terms of time for those new to the role
Best for: Anyone aspiring for senior executive assistant roles
Overall: Ideal for those who are serious about being an executive assistant. Whether you’re new and convinced it’s the right path for you, or you’re already a PA and looking to progress to a more senior role, this course has a lot to offer. It combines a more people-centric, philosophical approach to the job with practical guidance on tools and resources for executive assistants to use. It also includes a CPD accreditation that is ideal for the CV.
What are the advantages of taking an executive assistant course?
Executive assistant is an increasingly popular role. More and more people are learning about the benefits of the job, such as:
- Getting insight into every aspect of a company
- Gaining knowledge about the business world
- Busy, fast-paced and fun lifestyle
- Working with very senior people, often when you yourself are at a more junior level
- Allows you to problem solve
- Trusted in the workplace
There are also many benefits to learning how to be an executive assistant online. These include:
- Access to top instructors from all around the world
- You can learn when you like and fit everything around your schedule
- You can combine different platforms with in-person teaching to achieve your personal goals
- There’s access to endless additional materials
- The skill will stay with you for life
- Your general administrative knowledge will improve
- Learning a new skill is great for engaging the brain
- The opportunity for accreditation or a certificate
Buyer’s guide: what to look out for
With so many choices, it can be hard to know what to look out for when selecting the best executive assistant course for you.
So here’s a helpful buyer’s guide to look out for:
- Positive reviews and feedback from both users and sites like Learnopoly
- The credentials of the instructor
- How long the course is and what each lesson will teach you
- Any additional materials like guides and handbooks
- Does the course focus on any specific skill that an executive assistant needs?
- How many people are enrolled
- Is there any free trial or refund available?
- Does the course feature some kind of certificate or qualification?
How much does it cost?
Classes on this list range from $49.99 to $1,399.00.
However, you shouldn’t just take this at face value. When considering the cost, think about what you’re getting in return as well.
For example, a longer course might be worth investing a little more money into, especially if it offers some kind of certificate or accreditation at the end.
Also, sites price their courses differently. For example, LinkedIn Learning and Skillshare are subscription sites, meaning you pay a monthly fee for access to all of their content. This could be a good option if the site has any other courses you might be interested in.
Other courses price and sell their courses individually. Udemy is an interesting one here as it often has classes for sale at a much cheaper rate than the initial asking price.
How long does it take to learn how to be an executive assistant?
The length of courses on this list varies from 59 minutes to 6 months.
The shorter classes on this list tend to be introductions to the role of executive assistant, whereas the longer ones tend to be designed for people seriously considering the role of executive assistant, and often feature some kind of qualification.
Also, the world of the executive assistant is like any other profession in that it takes some time to get used to.
Whatever you learn in your classes, you’ll also need to allow some time to practice and test out your skills in the workplace. This will allow you to really hone your craft and become the best executive assistant you can be.
Conclusion
Overall, my top pick is The unrivaled assistant. This is because it is the most comprehensive insight in the world of being an executive assistant, combining three of the site’s best courses and all of their respective resources including worksheets, video lessons and quality teaching.
The class is offered by Practically Perfect PA which has over 30,000 subscribers across the world and is the leading site for learning about being an executive assistant.
The unrivaled assistant also has a 30-day refund and you can purchase any one of the three courses offered in the bundle.
If you’re currently an executive assistant, or you’re just looking to learn more about particular skills of the profession, I recommend Udemy’s Executive assistants: Manage client’s Gcal and Executive travel planning for assistants in 2023.
Both go into detail about specific resources used by executive assistants. Udemy also sells its courses separately and they are often on sale, so you can purchase them for cheaper than the asking price.
Finally, there are accredited courses, which look brilliant on the CV of anyone who is serious about entering the profession. The best accredited courses are Executive PA diploma – CPD accredited by Souters Training and PA course [virtual classroom] provided by Institute of Executive Assistants and Administrators).
I’ve tried to include a wide range of different courses on this list, but each is of high quality and has something unique to offer. Hopefully, you now have a clearer idea of the best executive assistant course for you.
Related articles: best Microsoft Office Course, best Excel Course, best virtual assistant course, best receptionist course, best time management course, Proofread Anywhere review
Executive assistant courses – frequently asked questions
The unrivaled assistant (Practically Perfect PA)
Classes on this list range from $49.99 to $1,399.00.
The length of courses on this list varies from 59 minutes to 6 months.
Charlie is a student reading politics at King’s College London. He is also a passionate musician with over 14 years of experience. In his free time, he also enjoys cinema, long-distance running and learning new things.