Office Administration – General (fully online)

Overview

Office administrators are vital to the effectiveness of any organization. They are the backbone of daily office operations, from managing schedules and handling correspondence to coordinating projects and maintaining records. The phone is ringing, there are three spreadsheets open on your computer screen and a team meeting is starting in two minutes. This is the life of an office administrator.

Personable and committed, they create order out of chaos and provide the glue that holds businesses together. In this online program, our industry-connected professors will prepare you to make an impact on any organization right away. Delivered synchronously, this program incorporates scheduled classes that you’ll join from the comfort of your home. Working virtually with your classmates, you will learn from professionals who are current in their field and will have the opportunity to enhance your resumé with real-life work experiences. Graduates with an office administration certificate leave the program ready to take on the challenges of office administration and contribute meaningfully to their organizations.

Intakes and Availability

• September 2025: Open (Domestic), Closed (International)
• January 2026: Open (Domestic), Closed (International)

Program Highlights

• Success Stories
• Resources

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

• Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math.
• DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Document Production 1 (COMP 1117)
• Keyboarding Fundamentals (COMP 1118)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Technology and Office Procedures (INFT 1106)
• Office Professionalism 1 (SOCI 1101)

Career Options

Graduates of the office administration certificate program are equipped with the foundational skills needed to pursue a variety of entry-level roles in administrative support. With training in document management, communication, and office software, they are able to contribute effectively to organizations across industries, supporting day-to-day operations and ensuring workplace efficiency.

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

• Entry-level administrative assistant
• Customer service representative
• Office administrator
• Receptionist
• Virtual assistant

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can go on to take Durham College’s:

• Office Administration – Executive
• Office Administration – Health Services

Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.

Tech Requirements

MINIMUM RECOMMENDED HARDWARE

• Laptop: Personal computer (PC). A Mac is not recommended – see notes below*
• Operating System: Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only) and later
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or better
• Memory: 4 GB of RAM (8 GB preferred)
• Hard Drive: 250 GB or larger (Solid State Drive (SSD) preferred)
• 2 USB ports
• Webcam
• Microphone (headset preferred)

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

• Windows 10 Professional (64-bit only)
• Microsoft Office 2019 or 365 (Students will be provided access to Microsoft Office 365 through the College’s Microsoft Office account)
• Chrome
• Internet Explorer/ Edge
• Mozilla Firefox
• Acrobat Reader
• Windows Media Player

Meet Your Faculty Experts

• Jennifer Gibbs
• Jana Forsyth
• Dina Galanis
• Sherry Stanton

Industry Partners

• ACCREDITATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS
• MICROSOFT CREDENTIALS
• BOARDS OF TRADE AND CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE PARTNERSHIP

Office Administration – General Program Details

The office administration certificate program is designed to provide students with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a variety of entry-level administrative roles. This program focuses on building core competencies in office operations, technology, and communication, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to contribute to the efficiency and success of workplace environments.

Office Administration – General Program Learning Outcomes

1. Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
2. Schedule and coordinate tasks, within specific deadlines and according to set priorities
3. Receive, process and distribute communications in the workplace to assist the flow of information.
4. Operate and provide support related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
5. Locate, file and retrieve documents and records from a variety of electronic and paper sources to support daily office operations.
6. Record basic financial information using established document formats, procedures and accounting software.
7. Produce routine business documents using available technologies and established standards and formats.
8. Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to diversity and to support the vision and mission of the organization.
9. Compile resources as well as services to prepare summary reports.
10. Select and use information technologies to support communication with internal and external stakeholders.
11. Assist in the organization and coordination of meetings and travel arrangements.

Office Administration Courses

Semester 1

• Communication Foundations (COMM 1100)
• Document Production 1 (COMP 1117)
• Keyboarding Fundamentals (COMP 1118)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Technology and Office Procedures (INFT 1106)
• Office Professionalism 1 (SOCI 1101)

Semester 2

• Business Writing Strategies (COMM 2710)
• Document Production 2 (COMP 1221)
• Financial Administration In The Office (FINC 1200)
• General Education Elective (GNED 0000)
• Practical Skills for Employment (SOCI 1203)
• Office Professionalism 2 (SOCI 1204)

Costs for the Office Administration - General Certificate Program

The fees below are estimates only based on information available at the time of publication, and do not include the cost of textbooks.

Office Administration - General Year 1 Costs

• Semester 1:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $181.93
  • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
  • Total: $2,466.72
• Semester 2:
  • Tuition: $1,361.02
  • Program Fee: $0
  • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
  • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
  • Total: $1,974.79

Career Options with an Office Administration – General Certificate

Office administrators are essential to the smooth operation of businesses, ensuring that tasks like scheduling, correspondence, and document organization are handled efficiently. Whether you’re working in a corporate office, healthcare setting, nonprofit organization, or small business, the skills gained through the office administration certificate program prepare you to adapt to the unique needs of any industry.

WHAT YOU COULD BE:

• Entry-level administrative assistant
• Customer service representative
• Office administrator
• Receptionist
• Virtual assistant

WHERE YOU COULD WORK:

• Corporate businesses
• Educational institutions
• Municipal or provincial government
• Non-profit organizations

Careers:

• Entry-level administrative assistant
• Customer service representative
• Office administrator
• Receptionist

Durham College

---

Overview:

Durham College is a public college located in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. It offers a wide range of full-time and part-time programs, including diplomas, degrees, graduate certificates, and apprenticeships. The college is known for its focus on experiential learning and its commitment to providing students with the skills they need to succeed in their chosen careers.

---

Services Offered:

Durham College provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Student Academic Learning Services (SALS) offers tutoring, workshops, and other resources to help students succeed academically.

Career Development:

The Career Development Centre assists students with career planning, job searching, and resume writing.

Co-operative Education:

Many programs offer co-op opportunities, allowing students to gain practical work experience in their field.

Financial Aid:

Durham College offers a variety of scholarships, bursaries, and awards to help students finance their education.

Health and Wellness:

The Campus Health and Wellness Centre provides a range of services, including counselling, health education, and fitness programs.

Housing:

Durham College offers on-campus housing options for students.

Library:

The college library provides access to a wide range of resources, including books, journals, and databases.

Student Association:

The Durham College Student Association (DCSA) represents the interests of students and provides a variety of social and recreational activities.

Campus Safety:

Durham College has a dedicated Campus Safety department that provides security services and emergency response.

---

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Durham College offers a vibrant and engaging campus experience. Students can participate in a variety of clubs, organizations, and activities, including:

Athletics:

Durham College has a competitive varsity sports program, as well as intramural and extramural sports.

Esports:

The college has an Esports Gaming Arena where students can compete in various video games.

Student Events:

Durham College hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, festivals, and guest speakers.

Social Media Hub:

The college has a dedicated Social Media Hub where students can connect with each other and stay up-to-date on campus news.

---

Key Reasons to Study There:

Experiential Learning:

Durham College emphasizes hands-on learning, providing students with real-world experience in their chosen field.

Career-Focused Programs:

The college offers a wide range of programs that are designed to prepare students for specific careers.

Strong Industry Connections:

Durham College has strong relationships with local businesses and organizations, providing students with opportunities for internships and job placements.

Supportive Campus Environment:

The college provides a supportive and welcoming environment for students, with a variety of resources and services available to help them succeed.

---

Academic Programs:

Durham College offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Full-time Programs:

Diplomas, degrees, graduate certificates, and apprenticeships in a variety of fields, including business, technology, health care, and the arts.

Part-time Programs:

Professional and part-time learning opportunities for individuals looking to upgrade their skills or pursue a new career.

Online Learning:

A variety of online programs and courses available for students who prefer to learn remotely.

---

Other:

• Durham College has two campuses: Oshawa and Whitby.
• The college is committed to diversity and inclusion, with a dedicated Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Durham College is a smoke-free campus.

• The college has a strong commitment to sustainability, with a focus on reducing its environmental impact.

• Student Life and Campus Experience:

  While the context mentions some aspects of student life, it does not provide a detailed description of the campus experience.

Key Reasons to Study There:

The context mentions some advantages of studying at Durham College, but it does not explicitly highlight the main reasons to choose this institution.