Office Administration

Program Overview

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Office Administration

Certificate

School of Business and Entrepreneurship

Overview

This program provides knowledge and skill development related to the business office environment, with an emphasis on computer applications. Instruction is augmented by projects that will give you a hands-on understanding of the demands and rewards of work in an office setting.

Start Date and Length

• September and January – (virtual, full time, synchronous)
• Prince Albert and Regina (full time)
• Part-time studies (course offerings vary)

Length

32 weeks (full time); 15 courses (Part-time Studies)

Locations

Prince Albert, Regina Online/Distance options available

Length and Location Notes

Some programs offered online or otherwise by distance (i.e., correspondence) include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. They may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Program Details

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Office Administration program is a one-year certificate program offered full time in person at Prince Albert and Regina campuses or virtually.

You may also take all the courses in the program through the Centre for Continuing Education. If you take the courses through the Centre for Continuing Education, you are not required to apply for admission or meet the requirements. Once you have successfully completed all the courses, simply apply to graduate.

You’ll learn how to:

• Edit and write business letters, memos and email communication;
• Effectively use leading business software applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, desktop publishing and Adobe to create business documents;
• Learn organizational technologies used to create efficiencies within the operations of an office;
• Execute office procedures such as reception, mail processing, email communication, calendaring, telephone communication, maintaining office equipment, task management and meeting participation;
• Generate, maintain and retrieve manual and electronic records;
• Do basic accounting; and
• Use automated accounting software and learn medical terminology (depending on your elective choice).

Career and Salary Information

Your Career

Every business needs administrative assistants. This gives Saskatchewan Polytechnic Office Administration graduates a broad job market: government, education, law, medicine, engineering, manufacturing, travel, insurance, banking and business. You could work in a large organization and become a specialist or in small business and perform a wide variety of duties. Entry-level positions include administrative assistant, administrative support staff, receptionist, bookkeeper, customer service representative and more.

Potential Careers

• Administrative officer (NOC classification: 13100)
• Executive assistant (NOC classification: 12100)
• Administrative assistant (NOC classification: 13110)

Part-time Delivery

Students do not apply to this program, but take courses part time and apply to graduate through Enrolment Services once all courses are completed.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Office Administration program is a certificate program offered on a course-by-course basis through the Centre for Continuing Education online courses.

You are not required to take a minimum number of courses per session when you take the courses online. Generally, all requirements must be completed within four years for a certificate.

Suggested Course Order

To be successful in the Office Administration program, we suggest you take the courses in the following order:

• COMP 115
• COAP 115
• CKEY 101
• BCOM 100
• ACCT 105
• OPRO 105
• COAP 117
• COAP 116
• CKEY 102
• OPRO 133
• BCOM 102
• ACCT 136 or MTER 200
• IPSK 100
• COAP 138*
• PROF 103**

Admissions

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12
• English Language Requirement

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER

Refer to the ACCUPLACER cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 250 Arithmetic
• 243 Reading
• 241 Writing

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program.

Tuition and Fees

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies.

• $8,580 (academic year)

Courses

Semester 1

• ACCT-105 Accounting (4 credits)
• BCOM-100 Business Communications 1 (4 credits)
• CKEY-101 Keyboarding 1 (2 credits)
• COAP-115 Word Processing 1 (4 credits)
• COAP-117 Spreadsheet Applications (4 credits)
• COMP-115 Introduction to Organizational Office Technologies (3 credits)
• OPRO-105 Office Procedures (4 credits)

Semester 2

• BCOM-102 Business Communications 2 (3 credits)
• CKEY-102 Keyboarding 2 (2 credits)
• COAP-116 Word Processing 2 (4 credits)
• COAP-138 Computer Suite Applications (3 credits)
• IPSK-100 Interpersonal Communications (3 credits)
• OPRO-133 Records and Information Management (3 credits)
• PROF-103 Professional Development (3 credits)

Semester 2 Electives (1 of 2)

• ACCT-136 Automated Accounting (4 credits)
• MTER-200 Medical Terminology (4 credits)

Get Credit for What You Know

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Related Programs

Business

Additional Information

Saskatchewan Polytechnic serves students through applied learning opportunities on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 Territories and the homeland of the Métis.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Objective:

• This program equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a contemporary business office environment.
• Through hands-on projects and simulations, students develop their understanding of business administration in various settings, including government, education, and healthcare.
• The program fosters skills in office administration, communication, software, and customer service, preparing graduates for diverse administrative roles.

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Description:

• This one-year intensive program features a combination of lectures, projects, and lab sessions.
Students receive comprehensive instruction in business software, communication, organization technologies, office procedures, records management, and accounting.
• Graduates possess the expertise to confidently manage tasks such as telephone communication, meeting preparation, equipment maintenance, and supply management.
The program also equips them with basic accounting skills and medical terminology (depending on their elective choice).

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Outline:

• The program follows a semester-based structure, with two semesters per academic year.
Each semester typically involves 5 courses, chosen from a list of relevant topics.
• As they progress, they delve deeper into advanced subjects like Spreadsheet Applications, Word Processing 2, and Records and Information Management.
• The program concludes with a focus on professional development through modules like Interpersonal Communications, Professional Development, and Computer Suite Applications.
• one elective
They can opt for either Automated Accounting, focusing on accounting software, or Medical Terminology, exploring relevant medical terms and practices.

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Assessment:

• individual assignments, exams, and practical projects
These tasks enable them to demonstrate their comprehension of the taught material and showcase their practical skills.
• Specific evaluation methods and criteria might vary depending on the individual courses within the program.

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Teaching:

• student-centered learning approach
Students collaborate on projects, analyze case studies, and partake in role-playing activities, aiming to refine their practical skills in a simulated workplace setting.
• hands-on training
• Experienced instructors with industry expertise guide students throughout the program, providing mentorship and personalized support.

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Careers:

• Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are equipped to pursue diverse administrative roles within various industries.
Some of the potential career paths include:
• Administrative Assistant
• Administrative Support Staff
• Receptionist
• Bookkeeper
• Customer Service Representative
• transferable skills
• The program cultivates strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, making graduates valuable assets for any team.

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Other:

• For the 2023-24 academic year, the full-time program costs \$9,600.