Office Administration

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Office Administration program is a one-year certificate program offered full-time on-campus in Prince Albert and Regina.

You may also take all the courses in the program through Continuing Education. If you take the courses through 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. 

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.

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;
• 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;
• Use interpersonal communications in the workplace; and
• Use automated accounting software and do basic accounting.

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

• 120 students in Regina and 50 students in Prince Albert are accepted each year 
• Students will experience lab, project work and lectures.
• Class hours are 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. a.m. daily, dependent on the campus. It is expected that students will complete 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 effectively.
• Similar to the workplace, students are expected to attend classes. 

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 Classification1	Earning Potential2
Administrative Support	Administrative Officers (1221)	$37,500 - $83,200
Executive Assistant	Executive Assistants (1222)	$49,400 - $96,000
Administrative Assistant	Administrative Assistants (1241)	$34,100 - $66,700

Start Date(s):

• September and January - Prince Albert and Regina (full-time)
• Part-time Studies (course offerings vary)

Length:

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

• Prince Albert
• Regina
• Online/Distance options available



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.

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.

View the program page for a complete list of courses and additional information.

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.

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.

 

2022/23 Academic Year

$8,600

Part-time Studies Students: Contact Registration Services

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 2 Electives (1 of 6)

There have been some changes to the Office Administration courses, and the course information listed above is effective July 1, 2022.  Additional information:

• Students taking the program on campus in Fall of 2022 will be taking the courses previously offered in the second semester, including COAP 117.
• Students in the program before July 1, 2022, will be required to complete COMP 115 if they apply to graduate after June 30, 2023.
• All students who have not completed OPRO 100 (96 hours - 6 cu) must complete OPRO 105 (60 hrs - 4 cu) and COMP 115 (45 hours - 3 cu).
• All students who have not completed BCOM 103 will complete IPSK 100 (45 hrs - 3 cu).
• All students who have not completed EMPS 105 (45 hrs - 3 cu) will be required to complete PROF 103.

For COMP 115, it is strongly recommended that if you are a part-time student, you take this course at the beginning of the program.

For PROF 103, it is strongly recommended that if you are a part-time student, you take this course at the end of the program.

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.

• Candidate Guide
• More 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.

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

• Business