Ottawa Valley (Pembroke)

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 Finances 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 This course provides students with the basic math skills that they require in order to be successful in the field. Topics to be 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 In this course, students develop their knowledge of administrative procedures in today's automated office. Topics include time management, office ergonomics, public relations, telephone techniques, interaction and professionalism in an office environment and meeting arrangements. Basic math skills are reinforced and applied to banking, postal and courier services.	75.0
OFF7163	Microcomputer 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 In this introductory accounting course, 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, researching, documenting, and synthesizing information and using technology to communicate effectively. Prerequisites: ENL7777	45.0
LFS7681	Work Placement I This course prepares students for their two-week work placement in Level 03. Topics include job search skills, interview techniques and work ethics.	15.0
MGT7402	Science, Technology and Society This course increases student's 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 This course further develops keyboarding speed and accuracy. Further development of formatting skills is 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	Microcomputer Applications II This course further develops the 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	Microcomputer Applications - Spreadsheet Through practical applications, students in this course 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 two-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 group and individual projects completed on a microcomputer, 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 and office politics. Prerequisites: OFF7161 and OFF7170 and OFF7171	52.0
OFF7159	Microcomputer 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	Microcomputer 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

Approximate Program Costs

Tuition/Fees: $ 5,852
Books/Supplies: $ 1,900
Incidental Fees: $ 0
Total: $ 7,752



Tuition Fees listed are in effect for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Tuition Fees: $1,612.40 per term.

Information Technology Fee: $62 per term. *

Student Activity/Sports Fee: $190.50 per term.

Student Centre Building Fee: $17.50 per term.

Health Service Fee: $10 per term.

Health Plan Fee: $114.50 paid once annually. **

A $35 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/services/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  2012/20132011/2012

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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

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should contact their Guidance Office to apply. For all other applicants, applications are available online at 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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