Office Administration

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.

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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).

Saskatchewan Polytechnic emphasizes hands-on learning, especially when it comes to computer and software programs. You’ll learn to use leading office software, from word processing to accounting to email. You’ll gain practical experience through simulated office situations. You’ll practise standard office procedures, from directing telephone communications to preparing for meetings to maintaining office equipment and managing office supplies.

Job ready at graduation

Your Sask Polytech classroom mirrors a business environment. Business attire is expected. You'll work individually and in teams. You'll turn classroom friendships into a professional network. You'll learn by doing. This means, for example, that you'll learn about Microsoft Office by using it in class, about managing office supplies and business forms as well.

Learning environment

125 students in Regina and 25 students in Prince Albert are accepted each year.
Students will experience lab, project work and lectures.
Class generally run Monday to Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It is expected that students will complete approximately 20-30 hours of homework each week outside of class time.
There are many group projects that require teamwork skills.
It is very important that students take initiative and manage their work time efficiently.
Similar to the workplace, students are expected to attend all classes.
If you select the virtual delivery, you will take classes delivered via Zoom.

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.

Do you need help deciding if these careers could be a good fit for you? Contact Career Counselling Services.

Do you already know this is the program you want to take but need more detailed information or help applying? Connect with a recruitment advisor.

Potential careers

Sample job title	NOC classification
Administrative officer	Administrative officers (13100)
Executive assistant	Executive assistants (12100)
Administrative assistant	Administrative assistants (13110)

Part-time delivery

Students do not apply to this program, but take courses part time and apply to graduate (pdf) 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. See important information regarding program changes.

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. (As per Policy # 114.)

It is strongly recommended that students use a Windows based computer while taking the Office Administration program. Note: ACCT 136 uses SAGE 50 software which is not compatible with the MAC environment.

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**

*We recommend you take COAP 138 late in the program and especially after COAP 116 and COAP 117 so that you are better able to complete the last part of COAP 138 which is integration of Office programs.

**We recommend you take PROF 103 at the end of the program so that you have samples to include in your portfolio from all of the other courses.

To register for individual courses, please view the part-time offerings available in the Courses section below.

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. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

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. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake.

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year.

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

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. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

2024-25 academic year

$8,580

Courses

Semester information only pertains to full-time/on-campus students, and part-time/online students should view course prerequisites when scheduling courses.

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.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

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.

Business

Additional information

Have a question? Email ConEd@saskpolytech.ca or call 306-659-4418.