Office Administration

Looking to thrive in any office setting? Explore our Office Administration certificate program. Gain essential business, office, computer application, and communication skills that will set you apart in today’s competitive workplace. Whether you’re aiming to advance within your current job or transition to a new role, this program prepares you with the tools to succeed.

And once you’ve finished your Office Administration certificate, you have the option to further enhance your skills with our Administrative Assistant Specialty or Bookkeeping Specialty certificate programs.

Program Overview

The 22-week Office Administration certificate is delivered totally online and can be taken full-time or part-time. You will be introduced to a mix of computer, bookkeeping and business communication skills as you work your way through a variety of modules.

Our program has intakes the first Monday of each month as long as there is space available.

All OFAD courses are taught in an individualized format with set hours for course completion from September to early June. Students learn through instructor-guided individual study in online courses.

This program has been structured for students who are seeking an Office Administration certificate with the option to complete one or two specialty certificates. OFAD students usually have a strong desire to work in various business offices such as accounting firms, government offices, small and large businesses, manufacturing, legal offices, and numerous professional offices.

Students who complete the Office Administration certificate and/or its specialties are able to transfer their courses and certificates to Office Administration and Applied Business Technology programs in British Columbia.

Just need to improve your keyboarding or brush up your bookkeeping skills? You can choose to take only one or two courses or complete the entire 22-week certificate.

All OFAD courses are delivered online, so students are required to have dependable access to the internet, and a computer with Windows 11 and MS Office 365. You will have access to free MS Office 365 licensed software for as long as you are a College student.

Start and Completion Dates:

Office Administration Certificate	varied – September to early June (22 weeks)
Administrative Assistant Specialty Certificate	varied – September to early June (15 weeks)
Bookkeeping Specialty Certificate	varied – September to early June (15 weeks)

Full-time students who start their studies in September should expect to complete their OFAD Certificate by mid-February and possibly a Specialty by early June. Students who start after the first week of September can expect to complete their classes in the following academic year.

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 web sites are accessible 24/7 except during scheduled breaks.

Office Administration Certificate Requirements:

Course	Title	Hours	Weeks	Credits
OFAD 130	Business English Essentials	180	12	3.5
OFAD 134	Office Procedures 1	105	7	3
OFAD 158	Windows, Outlook and File Mgmt.	30	2	1
OFAD 160	Word Processing 1	45	3	1.5
OFAD 165	Word Processing 2	60	4	2
OFAD 170	Bookkeeping 1	120	8	3
OFAD 150	Employability Skills	45	3	1.5
OFAD 180	MS Excel Essentials and Business Math	60	4	1.5
		645	43	17.5
			21.5 Weeks	Full time

View official program outline

Course Descriptions

OFAD-130 – Business English Essentials

Business English Essentials helps student to develop language skills necessary for written business documents, presentations and email correspondence and to communicate effectively in an office environment. The course emphasizes writing skills with a focus on editing and proofreading. Topics covered include spelling, grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and number usage.

Minimum Credits: 3.5
Length: 180 hours
Prerequisites:
None
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $434.67
Course Outline

OFAD-134 – Office Procedures 1

Office Procedures 1 incorporates practical and professional approaches to learning skills required in today’s office workplace. Students develop skills to efficiently complete a variety of office related procedures while demonstrating the personality traits, attitudes and behaviors required for an effective office administrative assistant. Students integrate new standards with equity, inclusion, and diversity in the workplace to solve on-the-job situations with a focus on wellness strategies for self and others.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 105 hours
Prerequisites:
- Complete all of the following
  - Completed the following:
    - OFAD158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management (1)
    - OFAD160 – Word Processing 1 (1.5)
  - Completed at least 1 of the following:
    - OFAD155 – Keyboarding 1 (1.5)
  - Or current keyboarding speed of 25 gwam
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $372.57
Course Outline

OFAD-158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management

Students learn terminology of Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Outlook, and Internet Explorer. Managing electronic files, scheduling, and privacy are also covered.

Minimum Credits: 1
Length: 30 hours
Prerequisites:
None
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $124.19
Course Outline

OFAD-160 – Word Processing 1

Word Processing 1 introduces students to word processing in a Windows environment. Students learn the main software features of MS Word and improve their keying speed and accuracy. Document formatting is presented during the course and students produce basic business documents using business formatting skills. Business standards in all documents are promoted throughout the course. The speed objective is 35 gross words a minute (gwam) in five-minute timings with five or fewer errors.

Minimum Credits: 1.5
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites:
- Complete all of the following
  - Completed the following:
    - OFAD155 – Keyboarding 1 (1.5)
    - OFAD158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management (1)
  - OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $186.29
Course Outline

OFAD-165 – Word Processing 2

Word Processing 2 is a progression beyond Word Processing 1. Students continue to learn the main software features of MS Word and improve their keying speed and accuracy. Students produce basic business documents using business formatting skills. Business standards in all documents are promoted throughout the course. The speed objective is 45 gwam in a five-minute timing with five or fewer errors.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 60 hours
Prerequisites:
- Complete all of the following
  - Completed the following:
    - OFAD155 – Keyboarding 1 (1.5)
    - OFAD158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management (1)
    - OFAD160 – Word Processing 1 (1.5)
  - OFAD 155 or current keyboarding speed of 25 gwam
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $248.38
Course Outline

OFAD-170 – Bookkeeping 1

Bookkeeping 1 covers basic bookkeeping skills learning the nine steps of the manual accounting cycle including recognizing source documents, recording journal entries, posting to the general ledger, preparing a trial balance and worksheet, preparing financial statements to a professional level, recording adjusting and closing entries, preparing a post-closing trial balance, and the basics of banking procedures and control of cash.

Minimum Credits: 3
Length: 120 hours
Prerequisites:
- Complete all of the following
  - Completed the following:
    - OFAD157 – Business Math and Calculators (1.5)
    - OFAD158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management (1)
    - OFAD181 – MS Excel 1 (1.5)
    - OFAD155 – Keyboarding 1 (1.5)
  - Strong reading and writing abilities.
  - OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam.
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $372.57
Course Outline

OFAD-150 – Employability Skills

This course gives students the skills defined in the Office Administration and Applied Business Technology Provincial Curricula. These skills are considered to be essential requirements for today’s workforce. Employees need to be adaptable and capable of meeting the challenges of change in today’s economy, advances in technology, and changes in the way work is organized. This course uses an office simulation activity for students to practice job-ready skills in the use of technology and to hone their organizational and time management skills. The course also covers basic employment skills such as developing an effective resume and cover letter, and emphasizes professionalism, decision making, ethics, and communication skills.

Minimum Credits: 1.5
Length: 45 hours
Prerequisites:
- Completed the following:
  - OFAD133 – Business Communications I (3)
  - OFAD181 – MS Excel 1 (1.5)
  - OFAD134 – Office Procedures 1 (3)
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $186.29
Course Outline

OFAD-180 – MS Excel Essentials and Business Math

MS Excel Essentials and Business Math is designed to introduce students to the concepts and fundamentals of creating personal and business budgets using mathematical computations, formulas, functions, and graphs within spreadsheets. Students also develop skills to critically select and apply formulas and functions.

Minimum Credits: 2
Length: 60 hours
Prerequisites:
- Complete all of the following
  - Completed the following:
    - OFAD158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management (1)
  - OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwm.
Delivery Method: ? Online
Cost: $248.38
Course Outline

Admission Requirements

Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students

Career Info and Pathways

Application Fee:	$30.00
Tuition:	$2,173.33
Student Association Fee:	$69.00

Office Administration

Start and Completion Dates:

Classes:

Office Administration Certificate Requirements:

OFAD-130 – Business English Essentials

OFAD-134 – Office Procedures 1

OFAD-158 – Windows, Outlook, & File Management

OFAD-160 – Word Processing 1

OFAD-165 – Word Processing 2

OFAD-170 – Bookkeeping 1

OFAD-150 – Employability Skills

OFAD-180 – MS Excel Essentials and Business Math

Academic Requirements:

Recommended Prerequisites:

Placement Test:

Textbooks and Supplies

Program Details

Contact Details

Cranbrook