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 PC computer with Windows 10 and MS Office 2019 or 365 (not an Apple or Mac). 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 |
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: $426.16
- 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: OFAD 155 or current keyboarding speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 158, OFAD 160
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $365.28
- 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: $121.76
- 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: OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 158.
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $182.64
- 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: OFAD 155 or current keyboarding speed of 25 gwam, OFAD 158, OFAD 160
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $243.52
- 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: OFAD 158, and OFAD 180; strong reading and writing abilities. OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $365.28
- 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: OFAD 130, OFAD 134, OFAD 180
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $182.64
- 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: OFAD 158. OFAD 155 or current typing speed of 25 gwam.
- Delivery Method: ? Online
- Cost: $243.52
- Course Outline
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements:
- Minimum 60% in either Foundations of Math 11, Workplace Math 11, MATH 080, MATH 081, MATH 082, or equivalent.
- Minimum 65% in either Composition 11, Literary Studies 11, New Media 11, English First Peoples: Literary Studies plus New Media 11, English First Peoples: Literary Studies and Writing 11, English 080, English 092, or equivalent.
Recommended Prerequisites:
The following education is highly recommended for student success within the program.
- Secondary school graduation or equivalent or completion of a College of the Rockies assessment. College of the Rockies academic assessments may be used to determine Math and English skills for admission.
- Students who require some Grade 11 and 12 credits may be able to start studies in Office Administration while completing other courses.
- Secondary school students may register in Office Administration with a Letter of Permission from their secondary school principal.
- Computer operating skills are a definite asset but are not a prerequisite to enter into this program.
Placement Test:
Keyboarding Assessment achieving 30 gross words per minute with three or fewer errors in three 3-minute timings. Students unable to meet the keyboarding assessment must complete OFAD 155 Keyboarding 1.
Your Costs
Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students:
For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)
| Tuition: | $2,130.80 |
| Application Fee: | $30.00 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Total | $2,229.80 |
*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.
Tuition and Fees for International Students:
For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)
| Tuition: | $9,254.53 |
| Application Fee: | $100.00 |
| International Fee: | $100.00 |
| Student Association Fee: | $69.00 |
| Guard.me Insurance: | $270.00 |
| Total | $9,793.53 |
*These prices are for international 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.
Career Info and Pathways
An Office Administration education prepares you to work in almost any office environment, including:
With additional education/experience you may be eligible for careers as:
- Administrative Officer *
- Conference and Event Planner
- Court Reporter, Medical Transcriptionist / related occupations
- Executive Assistant
- Legal Administrative Assistant
- Medical Administrative Assistant
* High Opportunity Occupation
Program Details
Delivery Method:?
Online
Credential:
Certificate
Categories:
Administrative & Accounting, Business, Finance & Accounting
Interests:
Get in, Get out, Get a Job, Office
Contact Details
Cranbrook
2700 College Way,
Box 8500, Cranbrook, BC, V1C 5L7
Phone: 250-489-2751
Toll-free: 1-877-489-2687
Email: info@cotr.bc.ca