Office Administration Diploma
The Office Administration Diploma Program complements the technical and employability skills acquired in the Certificate Programs, providing a solid background of administrative management skills which will enable the graduate to grow and progress in today's competitive business environment.
After completing one of the Office Administration Certificate Programs, students may select 30 credits of additional course work from the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration and other College departments to complete the diploma. This program is very flexible and allows students to select courses according to their areas of interest. Many of the courses will transfer to other college diploma programs, to professional programs and to universities.
Department Website
For an overview of this program, including faculty listings and frequently asked questions plus other resources, visit the departmental website.
Career/Further Educational Opportunities
This program transfers to Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Bachelor of Business Administration Degree Program (BBA in Entrepreneurial Leadership.) Graduates of this program, with experience and initiative, may progress into jobs in the modern office in areas of administration, human resources, payroll, accounting, or computer systems. Graduates may qualify for such positions as senior secretary, executive secretary, administrative assistant, supervisor, coordinator, office manager, junior accountant, payroll administrator, or benefits administrator. Students may become freelancers or employees of small or large firms.
Students are advised to gain office work experience while taking this program through part-time or summer employment.
Professional Designations
By selecting appropriate courses in the Diploma Program, students may work towards the professional designations of Certified Bookkeeper through the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping or Qualified Administrative Assistant through the Association of Administrative Assistants. Relevant work experience in addition to course work is a requirement for both designations.
Location
Available at the New Westminster Campus.
Intake Dates/Application Deadlines
**Application deadlines may be extended.
Students may begin classes in September, January and May. Application deadlines are August 1 for
September; December 1 for January; and April 1 for May. It is advisable to apply early.
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 admission processes that rank order qualified applicants.
- General Admission Requirements
- Completion of an Office Administration Certificate from Douglas College or other public community college. Credentials from other educational institutions will be considered and credit assigned on a course-by-course basis.
- Foundations of Math 11 or Principles of Math 11 with a "C" or better, or DVST 0410 or DVST 0411.
Program Duration
The total program is two years; one year (two semesters) for the Certificate and an additional year or two semesters for the Diploma.
Program Content
Students must complete 30 credits selected from the following groups of courses:
Group I Required Courses (Choose all 4)
| Course | Title | Credits |
| ACCT 1110 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
| FINC 1231 OR | Commercial & Financial Mathematics | 3 |
| BUSN 1330 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| ECON 1101 | The Canadian Economy | 3 |
| MARK 2150 | Personal Selling | 3 |
Group II Elective courses from the Faculty of Commerce and Business Administration (Choose three or four)
| ACCT 1210 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
| ACCT 1222 | Computer Applications for Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 2310 | Intermediate Accounting I | 3 |
| ACCT 2320 | Introductory Management Accounting | 3 |
| ACCT 2410 | Intermediate Accounting II | 3 |
| BUSN 1200 | Fundamentals of Business | 3 |
| BUSN 1210 | Management Essentials | 3 |
| BUSN 3310 | Organizational Management Skills | 3 |
| BUSN 1320 | Business Law I | 3 |
| BUSN 3350 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUSN 4410 | Organizational Business Decision Making | 3 |
| BUSN 2420 | Business Law II | 3 |
| CSIS 1110 | Introduction to Computers | 3 |
| CSIS 2200 | Systems Analysis and Design | 3 |
| CSIS 1140 | Productivity Software and Client Support | 3 |
| MARK 1120 | Introductory Marketing | 3 |
Group III elective courses from other disciplines (Choose two or three)
Recommended Courses:
| PHIL 1101 | Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PHIL 1122 | Business Ethics | 3 |
| SOSC 2140 | Behaviour in Organizations | 3 |
Successful completion of all courses is required with a "C-" or better for graduation.
Credentials
Diploma in Office Administration
External Credentials
Certification through the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping - Certified Bookkeeper
Douglas College, in co-operation with the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB), now offers students an opportunity to earn the designation Certified Bookkeeper, indicating qualification as a professional bookkeeper. CIB is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to preparing men and women for greater financial and job security as Certified Bookkeepers. Practical experience is required before qualifying for certification. Upon completion of the program, students will be governed by a Code of Ethics which sets out professional responsibilities and conduct. A grade of 65 percent is required. Certain courses may be subject to a time limit for registration. For more information on the program, please contact CIB at PO Box 963, 31 Adelaide Street East, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2K3; Tel: 416-366-2856 and 416-461-5093; Fax 416-366-8179 and 416-461-4910. Website: www.cibcb.com, email: cibcb@hotmail.com
Course Equivalencies:
| CIB Courses | Douglas College Courses |
| CIB 111 Computer Applications I | OADM 1256 Microcomputer Applications I |
| CIB 112 Bookkeeping I | ACCT 1110 or OADM 1238 Accounting Procedures I |
| and | and OADM 1338 Accounting Procedures II |
| CIB 113 Bookkeeping II | ACCT 1210 Principles of Accounting II |
| and | and |
| CIB 222 Computerized Bookkeeping I | OADM 1239 Computer Bookkeeping I |
| CIB 221 Computer Applications II | OADM 1356 Microcomputer Applications II |
| CIB 223 Computerized Bookkeeping II | ACCT 1220 Computerized Accounting |
| CIB 331 Cost Management | ACCT 2320 Introductory Management Accounting |
| CIB 332 Income Tax |
ACCT 3370 Income Tax I and ACCT 3470 Income Tax II |
| CIB 333 Payroll Administration | OADM 1347 Payroll |
Certification Through the Association of Administrative Assistants - Qualified Administrative Assistant
The Association of Administrative Assistants is a chartered, Canadian, non-profit, professional organization founded in 1951. Its mission is to assist members in the continuing development of administrative skill, underlying knowledge and professional growth, thus enhancing employment opportunities and contributions to both workplace and community. The QAA designation can be achieved through work experience, membership in the Association of Administrative Assistants and completion of the following Douglas College courses:
Association Courses |
Douglas College Course(s) |
| Compulsory Courses: | Compulsory Courses: |
|
|
| Elective (Choose four): | Elective Courses: |
| Financial Accounting | |
| Computer Technology |
|
| Economics |
|
| Business Law | |
| Human Resource Management |
|
| Marketing |
|
| Principles and Practices of Supervision |
|
| Psychology |
|
| Interpersonal Communications |
|
For further information, please write to:
Arlene Stone, Q.A.A., National Director Registrar
Association of Administrative Assistants
Web site: www.aaa.ca
e-mail: astone@georgiane.on.ca
(See related programs)