The Office Administration–Executive program at Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley is the preferred choice of credentials for employers who are looking to hire office managers, clerks, secretaries and office assistants. Graduates of the program have exceptional computer skills, and, with hundreds of hours of practical learning experiences within a computer lab, they have the ability to produce accurate, high-quality written materials ranging from documents, minutes, financial statements, and promotional materials.
- Ontario College Diploma
- 45 Weeks
- Program Code:
- 0210A04FPM
- Academic Year:
- 2012/2013
Our Program
This two-year Ontario College Diploma program delivered in a compressed format over 45 weeks provides students with the theoretical and practical skills required to work as administrative assistants in the public or private sector.
The curriculum covers courses in keyboarding, communications, manual and automated accounting, spreadsheet and database applications, office procedures and word processing. Emphasis is placed on the practical demands of the job: interacting in the workforce, meeting deadlines, working under pressure, accepting responsibility and demonstrating initiative. Students participate in office environment simulations where they deal with realistic problems and solutions. In the third level of the program, students attend a two-week work experience component.
SUCCESS FACTORS
This program is well-suited for students who:
- Enjoy working in an office environment.
- Like using computer and technology applications and enjoy a hands-on approach to learning.
- Possess good communication (written, verbal, technology) and interpersonal abilities.
- Are well-organized, pay attention to detail and can work effectively under time constraints.
- Are able to sit for extended periods of time.
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Your Career
Graduates may find employment as administrative assistants, general secretaries or executive secretaries. With further experience, they may progress to positions as administrators, senior executive secretaries or senior administrative assistants.
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Courses
Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.| Level: 01 | Hours | |
| ENL7777 | Communications I Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students focus on meeting the requirements of effective communication. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments. | 45.0 |
| FIN7224 | Personal Finance Students learn to develop a personal financial plan. Students develop financial goals then plan strategies to reach goals. The strategies include the budgeting process, use of credit, determination of insurance coverage, the shelter decision and a savings investment plan. | 45.0 |
| MAT7615 | Math Skills Students develop the basic math skills they require in order to be successful in the field. Topics covered include calculations with fractions, decimals, and percentages and the conversions between them, mark-ups, markdowns and discounts, simple interest and word problems involving a variety of financial situations. Students learn to approach and analyze problems with greater skill. | 45.0 |
| OFF7160 | Production Applications I Students work on basic keyboarding techniques on a microcomputer in order to develop keyboarding speed. Emphasis is placed on production techniques and proofreading and editing skills. Basic formatting skills include centering, tabulation, basic letters, memoranda and reports. Co-requisites: OFF7163 | 75.0 |
| OFF7161 | Administrative Procedures I Students develop their knowledge of administrative procedures in today's automated office. Topics include time management, office ergonomics, public relations, telephone techniques and interaction, and professionalism in an office environment. Basic math skills are reinforced and applied to banking, postal and courier services. | 75.0 |
| OFF7163 | Computer Applications I Students are introduced to the Windows environment and many features of word processing in this environment through hands-on assignments. Co-requisites: OFF7160 | 75.0 |
| Level: 02 | Hours | |
| ACC7201 | Introduction to Accounting Students learn the basic principles of the accounting cycle, from journal entries to the preparation of financial statements. | 60.0 |
| ENL7778 | Communications II This course develops and refines applied communication skills including writing, speaking, reading, listening, documenting, and synthesizing information and using technology to communicate effectively. Prerequisites: ENL7777 | 45.0 |
| LFS7681 | Work Placement I Students prepare for their three-week work placement in Level 03. Topics include job search skills, interview techniques and work ethics. | 15.0 |
| MGT7402 | Science, Technology and Society Students enhance their awareness of technical, social and ethical problems that arise with the implementation of new technologies. The relationship between science and technology is explored in areas, such as genetic engineering, alternate fuels, environmental issues and medical advances. | 45.0 |
| OFF7170 | Production Applications II Students further develop keyboarding speed and accuracy. Enhanced formatting skills are achieved through hands-on assignments involving a variety of tables, letters, memoranda, manuscripts and business reports. Students also gain experience in machine transcription. Prerequisites: OFF7160 and OFF7163 Co-requisites: OFF7171 | 75.0 |
| OFF7171 | Computer Applications II Students develop computer skills and knowledge learned in OFF7163. Advanced features of word processing in an office environment are explored. Prerequisites: OFF7160 and OFF7163 Co-requisites: OFF7170 | 75.0 |
| OFF7252 | Spreadsheet and Presentation Applications Through practical applications, students learn the concepts involved in the use of electronic spreadsheets. They become proficient in preparing, manipulating and presenting information using spreadsheets. Students also work with presentation software. Prerequisites: OFF7163 | 60.0 |
| Level: 03 | Hours | |
| ENL7683 | Business Communication This advanced level course continues to help you achieve graduate level business communication skills. Topics include business writing style, various kinds of letters, memos, reports, interpreting spoken and written information, teamwork and oral communication skills required in today's workplace. Prerequisites: ENL7778 | 45.0 |
| LFS7682 | Work Placement II Students complete a three-week work placement in an appropriate office environment. Students apply principles and skills learned in the program to actual office situations. Students must have successfully completed Levels 01 and 02 in order to participate in the work placement. Prerequisites: LFS7681 | 20.0 |
| OFF7124 | Executive Administration Through hands-on individual projects, students further develop their administrative skills. They demonstrate initiative and good judgement with emphasis placed on completing projects in a professional manner. Keyboarding speed and accuracy are further developed. Prerequisites: OFF7161 and OFF7170 and OFF7171 | 104.0 |
| OFF7132 | Administrative Procedures II The course introduces the following new concepts and applicable procedures: business travel, meetings and minutes and conferences and teleconferences. Discussions also revolve around attitudes, motivation, leadership, teamwork and office politics. Prerequisites: OFF7161 and OFF7170 and OFF7171 | 52.0 |
| OFF7159 | Computer Applications - Accounting Students apply the concepts learned in accounting applications to accounting software. Modules may include general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll and inventory control. Prerequisites: ACC7201 and OFF7163 | 65.0 |
| OFF7257 | Computer Applications - Database This course gives students an insight into database management software. They learn to create, edit, revise and manage database files. Prerequisites: OFF7163 | 52.0 |
| Choose one from equivalencies: | Hours | |
| GED1210 | General Education Elective Students choose one course, from a group of general education electives, which meets one of the following five theme requirements: Arts in Society, Civic Life, Social and Cultural Understanding, Personal Understanding, and Science and Technology. Equivalencies: ARC9001 or ENL7643 or ENV0002 or FAM1218 or GED1896 or GED5002 or GED5004 or GED5005 or GED5006 or GED5009 or GED5200 or GED5300 or GED6022 or GEN1001 or GEN1957 or GEN2003 or GEN2007 or HIS0001 or HIS2000 or HOS2228 or LIB1982 or MGT7330 or MVM8800 or PSI1702 or RAD2001 or SOC2003 or PSI0003 | 45.0 |
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Fees & Expenses
Tuition Fees: $1,684.96 per term.
Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *
Student Activity/Sports Fee: $200.50 per term.
Student Commons/Auditorium Fee: $22 per term.
Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.
Health Service Fee: $20 per term.
Health Plan Fee: $117.02 paid once annually. **
A $40 graduation fee is payable in the final term.
A $25 transcript fee is payable in the first term a student attends Algonquin College.
International Students pay all relevant Canadian fees plus an International Premium of $4,400 per term.
* Students paying the Information Technology fee are provided with a network account, an email address, and Internet access. For more information please visit our website at algonquincollege.com/its/support/IT-Fee/index-it-fee.htm
** Students who have coverage with another plan can request a refund by supplying the Students' Association with documentation supporting the request. This request will have to be made annually.
Books and supplies, including a calculator, cost approximately $1,900 for the program duration and can be purchased in the campus bookstore.
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Admission Requirements
College Eligibility
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent. Applicants with an OSSD showing senior English and/or mathematics courses at the Basic Level, or with Workplace or Open courses, will be tested to determine their eligibility for admission; OR
- Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) certificate; OR
- General Educational Development (GED) certificate; OR
- Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing for which a fee of $40 (subject to change) will be charged.
- English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
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Application Information
Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:
ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228
Applications are available online at www.ontariocolleges.ca A $95 fee applies.
Applications for Fall Term, Winter Term and Spring Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.
International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://xweb.algonquincollege.com/FormIE/index.aspx or by contacting the Registrar's Office.
For further information on the admissions process, contact:
Registrar's Office
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
315 Pembroke Street East
Pembroke, ON K8A 3K2
Telephone: 613-735-4700 ext. 2708
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
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Additional Information
This program is offered as a 45-week non-semestered diploma program on the Pembroke and Perth Campuses. It is also offered on the Woodroffe Campus as a two-year program. Part-time students may be considered if space is available.
While the learning outcomes at the Woodroffe, Perth and Pembroke Campuses are the same, the curriculum order and subject delivery are reflective of local circumstances which affect program delivery.
For more information, please contact Vivian Schutt, Program Coordinator, at 613-735-4700 ext. 2749 or schuttv@algonquincollege.com.
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