Learn the skills to work in an office environment

Program: Office Administration

School:

Locations:

Program length: 1 Year Certificate, 2 Year Diploma

Start date: September

Credentials:

  • Diploma
  • Certificate

Delivery:

  • Full Time
  • Part Time
Tuition & Fees Housing Information

Program Description

Program Description

The Office Administration program is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for administrative careers in business, government and non-profit organizations. Emphasis is placed on preparing students for employment in the unique work environment in the NWT. The Office Administration program provides students with an opportunity to acquire a certificate (one year) and a diploma (two years).

Office Administration Certificate 

All students accepted into the Office Administration program must initially be enroled in the certificate program. This program takes one year to complete. It consists of ten courses, each with 45 class hours and worth three credits, and a practicum. The certificate program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in an entry level administrative assistant position in business, government or non-profit organizations. This program concentrates on the practical application of computer technology in the contemporary o£ ice workplace.

Office Administration Diploma 

Upon completing the certificate program (including the practicum), students may enrol in the diploma program. This program takes one year to complete. It consists of ten courses, each with 45 class hours and worth three credits. The diploma program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in an executive administrative assistant position in business, government or non-profit organizations. As the program emphasizes specialized organizational and technical skills, students will also be able to succeed in administrative positions in the areas of human resources, payroll, and finance.

Program Eligibility

Program Eligibility – Certificate

Applicants may be admitted into the Office Administration program based on one of the following pathways: academic and mature student/experiential.

Academic Pathway

Applicants may be considered for admission who have a minimum grade of 65 percent in:

  • English 20-2; and
  • Math 10C

Applicants who have completed the Aurora College Occupations and College Access Program (OCAP) and have a final grade of 65 percent in:

  • English 140; and
  • Math 140

Equivalencies and other post-secondary education may be considered.

Mature Student/Experiential Pathway

Applicants who are 20 years or older, have been out of school for at least one year, and have relevant work/life experience may be considered for admission on an individual basis. Applicants will be required to complete a placement test. Regardless of the pathway for admission, all applicants must:

  • Submit official transcripts from high school and postsecondary education.

* A record of certain offences may prevent candidates from completing all elements of the program, in particular, securing a practicum placement (see Aurora College Policy C.21 Practicums/ Internships). As the program includes a required workplace practicum, a satisfactory Criminal Records and Vulnerable Sector Check is mandatory.

** Prior to being permitted to do the workplace practicum course, students must have submitted their Criminal Records Check. These are typically required to be submitted by the end of March.

 

Program Eligibility – Diploma

To be eligbile for acceptance, an applicant must:

  • Possess an Office Administration Certificate

* A complete application is one in which all required documentation and all requested documentation (ex. additional documentation that supports your eligibility that is requested for your application) is received.

Applicant Assessment

Applicants must complete an Aurora College application form and submit official transcripts (high school and post-secondary). A typing speed of 35 words per minute is recommended. Applicants are encouraged to apply early and submit all required and requested documentation.

Applicants who are currently enroled in one or more of the required academic courses for admission are encouraged to apply early and provide transcripts that demonstrate that they are currently registered in these courses. Applicants may receive a conditional acceptance that is dependent on their successful completion of the required courses (65 percent or higher). Applicants who are conditionally accepted will be required to provide a final transcript upon completion of the required courses to be fully accepted.

Students who have already completed post-secondary course work in Office Administration or related courses may have transferability into this program. Post-secondary transcripts and course syllabi/outlines will be required for evaluation. Students seeking transfer credit will be required to follow process defined in Aurora College Policy C.01 Transfer Credit.

Program Admission

Applicants will be admitted to the program based on how well they meet the program eligibility requirements and on space availability. Graduates of the OCAP Office Administration Career Pathway at Aurora College will be given priority in the selection process if they have submitted a complete* application before April 1. Priority consideration for admission will not be considered for applications received on or after April 1. Applications will be processed based on the date that their application is complete**.

Program Information

The Office Administration Program is two years in length. Students will earn a Certificate after successfully completing 10 specified courses and a Practicum. Students can then obtain a Diploma by completing another 10 specified courses.

Successful completion of the Office Administration Program requires hard work, time management skills, organizational skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to deal with stress.

The Office Administration Program may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis, but students should be aware that each course will only be offered once every two years and that some of the courses are prerequisites for other courses. Students must therefore plan very carefully if they wish to take the Office Administration Program on a part-time basis. Such students should discuss their plans in advance with the Program Head.

The Office Administration Program was designed to enable graduates of the Diploma Program to be eligible for acceptance into the Business Administration Program. Students interested in pursuing this alternative should discuss it with the Program Head.

The Office Administration Program will be offered on all three Aurora College campuses. Students will receive face-to-face instruction for about one third of their courses; they will receive instruction for the remaining courses through video conferencing, delivered by instructors on one of the other two campuses. Support will be provided by instructors on each campus for students who are taking courses through videoconferencing. In addition, an instructor teaching a course by videoconferencing will provide one office hour each week through videoconferencing.

Program Objectives

  1. To provide students with knowledge and skills in the subject areas of the Office Administration program.

  2. To help students prepare for employment in business, government or non-profit organizations in the NWT.

  3. To provide students with a sound educational base so that they can continue their education after graduating and obtain educational or professional credentials.

Completion Requirements

  1. Students must comply with the specified attendance policy.

  2. Students must complete all course assignments.

  3. Students must successfully complete every course; the passing mark for each course is 50 percent. However, students must maintain a minimum cumulative average of 60 percent in the Office Administration Program.

  4. Certificate students must successfully complete ten courses as specified in this Program Outline, and a Practicum.

  5. Diploma students must successfully complete the Certificate Program and a further ten courses as specified in this Program Outline.

Document of Recognition

Aurora College Office Administration Certificate and/or Aurora College Office Administration Diploma.

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