Administrative Assistant Certificate

The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is a 1,110 hour (37 week) certificate program which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, computerized accounting, and presentation software. Students also learn business communications, business math, office procedures, effective job search techniques, accounting, and self-management skills. There is a three-week practicum component to this certificate.

The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is offered on campus as well as online. On-site students are normally enrolled full time; students wishing to take courses on campus on a part-time basis should consult with the department chair. Online students may complete the program part time.

Graduates may be employed as receptionists, general clerks, administrative or executive assistants, and other similar careers.

Graduates may also continue their education as the Administrative Assistant Certificate program is recognized by other programs such as the Okanagan College Legal Administrative and Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate programs. As well, select courses transfer to the Okanagan College Business Administration, Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB), and the Canadian Payroll Association programs.

Admission Requirements

B.C. Secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for at least one year as of the first day of classes.
English 11 with minimum 50% or alternatives; or a minimum score of 70% on an Okanagan College Office Administration English entrance test.

Program Outline

OADM 110 Communications I

OADM 111 Letter Writing

OADM 127 Administrative Assistant Simulation

OADM 130 Business Math and Calculators

OADM 132 Organizational Software

OADM 135 Records Management

OADM 136 Office Procedures

OADM 143 Accounting I

OADM 142 Payroll Accounting

OADM 152 Accounting Software I

OADM 165 Presentation Graphics

OADM 167 Computer Essentials and the Internet

OADM 168 Database

OADM 169A Spreadsheet I

OADM 169B Spreadsheets II

OADM 171 Desktop Publishing

OADM 174 Keyboarding

OADM 128 Word Processing I

OADM 129 Word Processing II

OADM 180 Self-Management Skills

OADM 181 Job Search Techniques

OADM 182 Office Practicum

Prior Learning Assessment

Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows adults with considerable life and work experience to verify that they possess the skills and/or knowledge required in some university/college level courses and receive credit for those courses. PLA is available in the following courses:

OADM 128 Word Processing I

OADM 110 Communications I

OADM 130 Business Math and Calculators

OADM 135 Records Management

OADM 136 Office Procedures

OADM 143 Accounting I

OADM 167 Computer Essentials and the Internet

OADM 168 Database

OADM 169 Spreadsheets

OADM 181 Job Search Techniques

For an application, fee schedule or more information about Prior Learning Assessment, contact the Office Administration department at (250) 862-5610 or email oadm@okanagan.bc.ca. Arrangements can be made to write the exams in Vernon, Salmon Arm, Penticton and Kelowna.

Transferability of OC's OADM courses: Students who pass OADM 165, 167, 169 and 128/129 will be granted equivalence for BUAD 128 Computer Applications I.

Students who pass OADM 143 and 142 may apply for equivalence for BUAD 111 Financial Accounting I.

Students who pass OADM 110, 111 and 181 will be granted equivalence for CMNS 112 Business Communication I.

Transfers with the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping:

Many of the ADAC courses transfer to the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping. If interested, please contact the Chair for more information.

Other Program Information

Locations:

Kelowna
Vernon
Salmon Arm

Length: 37 weeks (ten months)

Textbooks: $1,800 approximately

Program Schedule: September to June

Graduates of the Administrative Assistant program may apply for certified administrative professional rating from the International Association of Administrative Professionals after four years of employment in the field.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum passing grade per course is 70%.

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Program Area:

Office Administration

Campus (Intake):

Distance (Jan, Sep)
Vernon (Sep)
Penticton (Sep)
Salmon Arm (Sep)
Kelowna (Sep)

Credential:

Certificate

Delivery:

Distance/Online
Full-Time

Cost:

2020-21: $4,842.60 (Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm) $4,923.40 (Vernon)

Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
International students will pay International tuition fees

Notes:

Only the in-class program is student loan eligible.

For Distance:

You may start this program the first Monday of the month: September - November or January - March

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