Office Administration

Office Administration offers full-time and part-time programs leading to both employment and further education. These programs are connected. One must be taken to understand what follows in another. They may be completed on a full-time basis or on a part-time basis in which students plan their own programs, selecting a workload which suits their own situation. Full-time students may expect to spend up to 20 hours per week in classes. Homework and additional study time are also required. A three-week work experience practicum follows the final semester of the certificate programs.

Department Website

For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.

Admission Requirements

The College admits students on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis whereby students must satisfy all admissions criteria to establish eligibility and are then offered places by date of eligibility, except in programs that use selective admissions processes that rank order qualified applicants.

Seats are limited in all programs

English 11 with a grade of "C" or higher or equivalent is an admission requirement for enrolment in the Office Administration programs. The exemptions for English 11 with a grade of "C" are as follows:

• EN 12 "P"
• EN LIT 12 "P"
• TPC 12 "P"
• COMM 12 "C+"

For more information on Minimum Language Competency Standard, please visit http://www.douglas.bc.ca/calendar/general-information/admissions.html.

Location

Available at New Westminster Campus

Intake Dates/Application Deadlines

**Application deadlines may be extended.
Full-time Applicants: April 1 for Fall; Sept. 1 for Winter

Part-time Applicants: August 1 for Fall. December 1 for Winter. Part-time students are eligible to take as many courses as full-time students; however, there is no guarantee that they will be able to register in all the courses that they require. Therefore, early application is important.

Other Information

This program offers a free information session.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Office Administration Program recognizes skills that students may have acquired through work experience and previous formal and informal learning. Call 604-527-5460 to inquire about transfer credit from other community colleges, credit for high school business courses and opportunities for Prior Learning Assessment.

Office Administration Preparation

Some students who intend to enter Office Administration programs may wish to first upgrade their skills in English, Mathematics and Keyboarding. Some or all of the following courses are recommended for students who have been out of school for several years or who are weak in certain subject areas:

DVST 0255	Reading/Writing Fundamental Level	3
DVST 0350	Developmental Writing	3
DVST 0355	Reading/Writing - Intermediate Level	3
DVST 0210	Mathematics-Fundamental Level	3
DVST 0310	Mathematics I	3
DVST 0341	Learning and Study Skills I	3
DVST 0399	Editing: Intermediate/Advanced Level	3
OADM 1103	Introduction to Keyboarding	3

Please call Assessment Services at 604-527-5501 or the Developmental Education Program at 604-527-5463 for placement testing.

Proof of Keyboarding Speed

Proof of keyboarding speed is required for entry to full-time programs and for registration in many courses. Acceptable proof of keyboarding includes the following:

1. A keyboarding speed certificate issued by the Douglas College Assessment Services. Arrangements for testing can be made by calling 604-527-5478. Arrangements should be made well in advance of application deadlines.
2. A keyboarding speed certificate based on a five-minute timing issued by an educational institution or government agency.
3. A letter and/or copy of a five-minute timing from an educational institution, written on official letterhead or stamped with the school stamp and signed by the administrator of the test. Speed is calculated as net words per minute with two words deducted for each error.

Credentials

Citation Programs

• Office Assistant (one semester - 15 credits)
• Legal Administrative Assistant (offered online through BC Campus - 16 credits)
• Medical Office Assistant (offered online through BC Campus - 16 credits)

Certificate Programs

• Administrative Assistant (two semesters - 30 credits)
• Applied Bookkeeping (two semesters - 30 credits)
• Legal Administrative Assistant (two semesters - 30 credits)
• Medical Office Assistant (two semesters - 30 credits)

Diploma Program

• Diploma in Office Administration (four semesters - 60 credits)