Find schools that offer these popular programs
Essential Information
Online customer care rep programs are designed to teach students how to relate positively to customers, whether on the telephone on in person, and respond to their concerns effectively. Students may find individual courses or certificates specifically in customer care or service, but this area of study is also commonly incorporated into associate's and bachelor's degree programs in busienss.
To be eligible for admission into an online undergraduate program, prospective distance learners typically just need to have a high school diploma or GED. However, some online bachelor's programs are designed for those who already have an associate's degree or some amount of prerequisite courses.
Distance Learning & Options
Distance learning programs for customer care reps can usually be completed fully online through lectures, interactive assignments, videos and assessments. Discussion boards, chat rooms and e-mail are common ways for students to engage with their peers as well as instructors. Course materials are usually accessible 24 hours a day, but students in formal, for-credit programs typically have to keep to a strict class schedule. Online continuing education programs (such as certificates) are often more self-paced; for example, such a program may only take a couple hundred hours to complete, but schools may give students access to materials for up to a year.
Certificates and Stand-Alone Courses
Online training programs in customer service, which may result in a certificate, are available from some community colleges' continuing education departments as well as professional organizations. The curriculum is designed to help students develop and sharpen the skills needed to provide resolution to customers' concerns. Some programs may help prepare students interested in earning professional certification related to the field. Online coursework can include training in the following areas:
- Telephone and email etiquette
- Problem solving
- Listening
- Anger dissolution
- Goal setting
Associate's Degree in Business Administration
This 2-year online degree program builds the foundation for understanding standard business practices. Students may receive training in customer relations as part of an overall program in business administration or get to choose customer service as a specialized focus of study. In addition to general education and customer service coursework, students might take general business courses in the following:
- Business computing
- Accounting and finance
- Statistics
- Economics
- Business law
- Business management
Graduates may begin careers in business after completion of this program or continue their studies in a bachelor's degree program, which can be found online as well.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Customer Care Management
Taking about four years to complete, this online degree program develops students' fundamental knowledge of business while focusing on customer care. Students are taught the importance of developing strong customer service skills while studying the legal ethics involved and learning how to develop a quality assurance plan, among other areas of study. Online coursework includes general education courses, core courses in business administration and specialization courses in the following areas related to customer service:
- Business leadership
- Service operations
- Quality assurance
- Management in the workplace
Aspiring customer care representatives who are looking for online training have several educational options. Certificate programs focus specifically on customer care skills, while associate's and bachelor's degree programs in business-related subjects provide students with a broader education that can help them build the business expertise, communication skills and critical thinking abilities they will need to provide satisfactory customer service.
