Administrative Assistant Specialty

The 15-week Administrative Assistant specialty program is delivered completely online and can be taken full-time or part-time. You can expect to produce ‘real-world’ business documents, develop business writing skills and learn to produce business letters, reports, presentations, newsletters and other documents requiring extensive use of graphics.

To receive an Administrative Assistant Specialty Certificate, students must complete all courses listed in the Office Administration Certificate, and the Administrative Assistant Specialty.

To complete the Administrative Assistant Specialty, you should be prepared to use Microsoft Office software extensively. Your keyboarding speed goal will be 55 words per minute.

Why Choose Administrative Assistant Specialty as a Career?

• Employment is available in both the private and public sectors.
• According to Work BC, there is anticipated to be over 15,000 job openings for Administrative Assistants in the next 10 years. The majority (73%) will result from replacement of retiring workers.
• Advances in technology have changed the duties of administrative assistants, providing the opportunity to take on more complex and diverse tasks.

Program Duration:

• Office Administration Certificate – 22 weeks
• Administrative Assistant Certificate – 15 weeks

Note: You can take up to five years to complete your Administrative Assistant certificate.

Program Start Dates:

You can start the program in September or January or on the first Monday of any month from September to April, provided spaces are available.

Classes:

Online Classes:

• Office Administration online courses are accessible from September to early June. Online instructional support is available during scheduled hours Monday through Friday. Course websites are accessible 24/7 except during scheduled breaks.

Face-to-face Instructor Support:

• If you live in the Cranbrook area, there is a dedicated Office Administration computer lab to work in, located at the Cranbrook campus. It is available Monday – Friday from September through early June during regular College of the Rockies hours.

Administrative Assistant Specialty Certificate Requirements:

View official program outline.

The Administrative Assistant Specialty covers the skills and concepts needed by administrative assistant personnel. Students produce “real-world” business documents to professional standards. Students develop business correspondence writing skills for creating routine business letters, reports, presentations, newsletters and other documents requiring extensive use of graphics.

The use of MS Office software is extensive in all courses. Students’ keyboarding speed goal is 55 wpm.

To receive an Administrative Assistant Specialty Certificate, students must complete all courses listed in the Office Administration Certificate, and the Administrative Assistant Specialty as follows:

Office Administration Certificate Courses

Administrative Assistant Specialty Courses

Academic Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Office Administration certificate within the last 5 years.
• Transfer credit for an Office Administration certificate program taken at other institutions may be available.

Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students:

For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Textbooks and Supplies

Textbooks and supplies are available at the College Bookstore.

Online students must have a PC with Microsoft Office 2016 or Office 365 and Windows 10 for all OFAD courses. Registered students are eligible to acquire MS Office 365 for free. Details are provided after registration.

Note: Mac computers are not supported in the OFAD program.