School of Business

Office Administration

Certificate

Program Overview

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. 

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.

For more information about career opportunities related to this program, contact Student Employment Services at the campus nearest you.

Potential Careers

Sample Job TitleNOC Classification1Earning Potential2
Administrative SupportAdministrative Officers (1221)$37,400 - $80,000
Executive AssistantExecutive Assistants (1222)$31,200 - $75,100
Administrative AssistantAdministrative Assistants (1241)$29,200 - $62,400

What's the Work Like?

As a student and in this profession you may:

  • Greet visitors, determine their needs and direct them to appropriate people.
  • Answer telephone and electronic questions and relay telephone calls and messages.
  • Record and prepare minutes of meetings.
  • Use telephone, email and internet to arrange travel schedules and make reservations.
  • Open and distribute incoming regular and electronic mail and other material.
  • Prepare, key in, edit and proofread letters, invoices, presentations, brochures, publications, and reports.
  • Order office supplies and maintain office inventory (e.g. paper, printer ink, envelopes).
  • Schedule and confirm appointments and meetings of your employer.
  • Compile data, statistics and other information to support office-related research activities.
  • Supervise and train office staff in procedures and in use of software.

Below is a list of skills, with examples, that are important in this line of work. You do not need to have all of these skills before entering the program. However you will need to have the ability and desire to build these type of skills in order to be successful in the field.

This section is based on the more detailed Essential Skills Profiles developed and available through the Government of Canada.

Below is a list of skills (with examples) that are important in this line of work. This section is based on the Essential Skills Profiles developed and available through the Government of Canada.

  • Proofread outgoing documents and reports for clarity, proper punctuation, grammar and sentence structure. 
  • Skim regular and electronic mail and fax messages to determine whether these materials should be copied to others, posted to bulletin boards, filed or deleted.
  • Read equipment and procedure manuals. For example, read fax manuals to determine how to program features, such as date and time and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions.
  •  Locate data in lists and tables. For example, find account codes, telephone numbers, addresses, postal codes, names and dates in directories.
  • Complete a variety of forms. For example, enter names, addresses and product descriptions on requisition forms and waybills.
  • Look over forms to ensure accuracy. Depending on the work context, office administrators may verify the completeness of forms, such as applications, security clearances, rental unit agreements, university course change forms and permission slips for trips.        
  • Write message summaries on telephone message forms.
  • Draft letters for a variety of purposes. For example, office administrators in property management companies write letters to respond to tenants' complaints and renovation requests.
  • Edit and correct others' writing. For example, office administrators in electrical and mechanical contracting firms may edit project proposals and final reports.
  • Receive payments for stamps and personal photocopies, collect funds for gifts and special events and reimburse staff for minor expenditures from petty cash accounts.
  • Estimate duration of time required to complete tasks.
  • Measure and weigh packages being sent by regular post and courier to determine shipping costs.
  • Greet telephone callers, respond to their requests and take messages.
  • Discuss work processes and upcoming events in staff meetings.
  • Explain administrative processes and procedures to co-workers, clients and the public. For example, office administrators in property management companies may explain environmental safeguards to tenants and review procedures for submitting rent payments.
  • Solving problems related to conflicting priorities and unreasonable expectations for the amount of work they can accomplish. For example, office administrators in insurance offices receive high priority work from two or more co-workers simultaneously and must problem solve this issue.
  • Use suppliers for a variety of products, considering the suppliers' selection, prices and account histories.
  • Use critical thinking skills to assess the urgency and importance of telephone calls prior to interrupting a meeting.
  • Use bookkeeping and accounting software. Enter data, such as employee hours and invoice details.
  • Generate monthly reports and other financial summaries.
  • Use spreadsheet software. May create spreadsheets and modify spreadsheet templates to track attendance, product sales, inventories and budgets.
  • Use word processing software to enter and edit text, format paragraphs, lay out pages and create finished documents.

  • Conduct Informational Interviews with people working in this field.
  • Explore the possibility of job shadowing.
  • Read more about NOC 1241 Administrative Assistants.
  • Arrange an INSIGHT experience or attend an Open House event at Sask Polytech.
  • Call 1 866 467 4278 and ask to speak with the program head or a career counsellor at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Length and Start Date

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


Length: 32 weeks (full-time); 14 courses (Part-time Studies)

Locations

  • Online
  • Prince Albert
  • Regina

    • Some online programs include on-site labs, clinicals, practicums or work experiences. Online programs may be offered course-by-course or full-time, or both, and deliveries may change over time.

Part-time Delivery

Students do not apply to this program, but take courses part time and apply to graduate (pdf) once all courses are completed.

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

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Special Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through a special admission assessment. Interested individuals should still apply. Applicants are automatically considered for special admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met. Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Special Admission.

ACCUPLACER©

  • 250 Arithmetic
  • 243 Reading
  • 241 Writing

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.

 

2019/20 Academic Year

$6,700

Part-time Studies Students: Contact Registration Services

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Courses

Expand All +

Semester 1

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
ACCT 105
Accounting
4
Show course details
You will journalize and post transactions, prepare adjusting and closing entries, prepare unaudited financial statements, perform banking and petty cash functions, and prepare employee and employer payroll records.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): ACCT 105CE, ACCT 122
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
BCOM 100
Business Communications 1
4
Show course details
You will apply grammatical rules and principles in preparation for writing routine business correspondence.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): BCOM 100CE, BCOM 101
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
BCOM 103
Interpersonal Communications
3
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The course will provide opportunities for you to develop important skills used to facilitate effective interpersonal communication in the workplace. Your studies will focus on the development of active listening skills, conflict resolution strategies, verbal skills, and problem-solving strategies.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 48.0
Equivalent Course(s): BCOM 103CE, BCOM 121, COMM 112, COMM 291, HUMR 186
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
CKEY 101
Keyboarding 1
2
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You will develop ergonomic and keyboarding techniques to attain accuracy and a speed of 30 words per minute on two different three-minute timed writings with a maximum of three errors.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 32.0
Equivalent Course(s): CKEY 101CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
COAP 115
Word Processing 1
6
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This course introduces fundamental file management and word processing concepts. Using a variety of word processing features, you will learn to format business correspondence, create, format, and edit tables and enhance documents with the addition of graphics.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Equivalent Course(s): COAP 115CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
OPRO 100
Office Procedures
6
Show course details
You will learn time management, customer service, reception, problem solving, and team building skills. You will also learn how to effectively perform office procedures skills related to telephones, incoming and outgoing mail, and business meetings. As well, you will learn internet applications, e-mail, electronic calendaring and scheduling and how to manage office supplies and business forms.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Equivalent Course(s): OPRO 100CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning
OPRO 133
Records Management
3
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You will learn about records management procedures and equipment and various types of filing systems including electronic filing.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 48.0
Equivalent Course(s): OPRO 133CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN

Semester 2

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
BCOM 102
Business Communications 2
4
Show course details
You will continue to develop effective business writing skills. You will write routine business correspondence and apply proofreading and editing skills.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Prerequisites(s): BCOM 100
Equivalent Course(s): BCOM 102CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
CKEY 102
Keyboarding 2
2
Show course details
You will develop ergonomic and keyboarding techniques to attain a speed of 45 words per minute with 98% accuracy on two separate five-minute timed writings.
Credit Units: 2
Course Hours: 32.0
Prerequisites(s): CKEY 101
Equivalent Course(s): CKEY 102CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
COAP 116
Word Processing 2
6
Show course details
You will learn to enhance business documents with the addition of styles and the use of columns. You will use advanced features to enhance business documents and tables. You will also merge documents, create templates and forms, use desktop publishing features, and maintain a website.
Credit Units: 6
Course Hours: 96.0
Prerequisites(s): COAP 115, CKEY 101
Equivalent Course(s): COAP 116CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
COAP 117
Spreadsheet Applications
4
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You will learn how to design spreadsheets and apply numeracy skills to solve business problems. You will focus on formatting, applying formulas and functions, preparing charts, and utilizing data management techniques.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Equivalent Course(s): COAP 117CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
COAP 138
Computer Suite Applications
3
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In the course, you will learn to create documents that feature the integration of word processing, database, and presentation software.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 48.0
Prerequisites(s): COAP 115
Equivalent Course(s): COAP 138CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual, Prior Learning, Televised/SCN
EMPS 105
Personal Management
3
Show course details
You will focus on your role in the office including lifelong learning and goal setting, your rights and responsibilities, professionalism and ethics. You will also prepare for the job search process.
Credit Units: 3
Course Hours: 48.0
Equivalent Course(s): EMPS 105CE
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Online, Print Distance Group, Prior Learning

Semester 2 Electives

Code
Name/Description
Credits
 
ACCT 136
Automated Accounting
4
Show course details
Using an automated accounting software package, you will learn how to enter transactions into journals (general, purchase, payments, sales, cash receipts and payroll) and ledgers (general, accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll), learn to account for inventory, and learn to prepare banking records. You will also prepare the initial automated accounting setup for use by a company.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 64.0
Prerequisites(s): ACCT 105 or ACCT 122
Equivalent Course(s): ACCT 136CE, COAP 137
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Theory, Online, Prior Learning
MTER 200
Medical Terminology
4
Show course details
You will learn the construction of medical words, including root words, combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes, as they relate to body systems and body organization. You will also learn medical abbreviations and symbols.
Credit Units: 4
Course Hours: 60.0
Equivalent Course(s): MED 161
Potential Learning Method(s): Lecture/Lab, Print Distance Group, Print Distance Individual
(Must take one semester 2 elective)

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 links below to more information about PLAR and detailed PLAR candidate guides for courses in this program.


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.

Additional Information

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