Program Length
- 10 Months
Credential
- Certificate
Location Offered
- Cowichan
- Nanaimo
Be workplace ready in 10 months
If you want training that gets you into the workforce quickly with a powerful new skill set, this is the program for you. In this program you learn how to work with the latest in office technology. And you gain problem-solving skills that will set you apart in the workplace. Office Administration can lead to a career in many exciting fields.
Real-world experience
The program replicates an office team environment, giving you experience with
- collaboration and teamwork
- prioritization
- professionalism
- critical thinking
You work on real-world projects and solve real-world problems. The result is real-world skills that will take you far in your career.
Open doors to many careers
Office administration opens doors to varied and exciting careers in almost any field. Administrative skills are valued everywhere. You can work in law firms or government offices. You can find roles in the private sector, in public health, or in the non-profit sector. Most of these are 9-to-5 jobs with benefits and weekends off.
- accounting assistant
- accounting clerk
- administrator
- administrative services manager
- administrative specialist
- assistant manager
- assistant office manager
- billing specialist
- clerical supervisor
- executive assistant
- executive secretary
- human resources coordinator
- marketing and sales assistant
- marketing coordinator
- medical assistant
- medical billing coder
- office administrator
- office manager
- operations coordinator
- operations manager
- paralegal
- personal assistant
- project manager
- research assistant
A life-changing decision
As a single mother raising 4 kids that I have 100% of the time, obtaining a career I could manage around my family was my main incentive. My previous role as retail supervisor no longer supported my family’s growing demands and needs with inconsistent scheduling (late nights, weekends, no routine) and increasingly physically demanding tasks that burned me out at all ends.
The Office Administration (OADM) program at VIU gave me all the tools necessary to successfully earn my Administrative Assistant certificate which helped me transition careers.
Taking the program at VIU was positively life-changing for me and my children. I am grateful to the instructors and staff at the Cowichan campus for always being so welcoming and friendly during my time as a student.
Real-world projects
Work on projects that mirror real office tasks.
Real work experience
Gain valuable work experience through a two-week practicum.
Networking
Network with industry contacts and create a lasting network with classmates.
About the program
The Office Administration program gives you a strong foundation in key areas like Microsoft Office Suite, professional writing, digital fluency and administrative procedures. You will take part in hands-on projects that replicate real-world office scenarios. And you finish the program prepared to be a self-starter and an effective team member. Our cohort model fosters a collaboration and reflects the teamwork you'll experience in your career.
Courses and Concentrations
The program offers three specialties Accounting Assistant, Administrative Assistant, and Legal Administrative Assistant.
Administrative Assistant
This specialty's certificate is designed to provide students with the technical, administrative, and human relations skills required in today’s office environments. Students gain in-depth training in administrative and interpersonal skills, as well as in the use of computers and popular software applications, including the Microsoft Professional Office Suite and the Windows environment. Students learn to use computers and software applications to solve problems, manage information, and enhance document production.
A two week practicum course is available at the end of the program for eligible students.
Career Opportunities
Graduates will acquire a broad range of marketable skills, which makes them ideally suited for many office positions. Graduates are employed in a wide variety of private and public sector firms, including federal, provincial, and municipal government offices; major corporations; desktop publishing firms, and many other mid-sized and small companies. Graduates may apply for occupations such as administrative assistant, secretary, office clerk, receptionist, executive assistant, office manager, and a variety of other support staff positions.
| Semester I | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 115T - (Administrative Procedures) | 1.5 |
| OADM 120T - (Business Math and Calculators) | 1.5 |
| OADM 130T - (Business English) | 3 |
| OADM 136T - (Human Relations and Office Procedures) | 3 |
| OADM 146T - (Office Computer Applications I) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Semester II | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 138T - (Business Communications) | 3 |
| OADM 147T - (Office Computer Applications II) | 3 |
| OADM 148T - (Office Computer Applications III) | 3 |
| OADM 149T - (Office Computer Applications IV) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Semester III | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 135T - (Employment Strategies) | 1.5 |
| OADM 156T - (Electronic Information Management ) | 1 |
| OADM 185T - (Office Practicum) or, OADM 181T - (Level II Project) | 1.5 |
| OADM 187T - (Administrative Capstone) | 2 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
| Year 1 Credits | 30 |
Accounting Assistant
This specialty is invaluable for a person who aims to work in a business where both bookkeeping and a variety of software and office-related skills are required. Students gain valuable knowledge in business math and calculator processes as well as bookkeeping procedures and concepts, including using automated accounting software. In addition, students develop aptitude with industry-standard business software applications from the Microsoft Office suite and obtain skills in human relations and business English.
A two week practicum course is available at the end of the program for eligible students.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have found career opportunities in government, accounting, insurance, and real estate firms. Graduates may apply for occupations such as accounts payable and/or accounts receivable clerk, accounting assistant, payroll clerk, finance assistant, bookkeeper, data entry clerk, and other financial and bookkeeping support positions.
| Semester I | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 120T - (Business Math and Calculators) | 1.5 |
| OADM 121T - (Accounting I) | 1.5 |
| OADM 130T - (Business English) | 3 |
| OADM 136T - (Human Relations and Office Procedures) | 3 |
| OADM 146T - (Office Computer Applications I) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Semester II | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 122T - (Accounting II) | 3 |
| OADM 123T - (Computerized Accounting) | 3 |
| OADM 147T - (Office Computer Applications II) | 3 |
| OADM 148T - (Office Computer Applications III) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Semester III | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 135T - (Employment Strategies) | 1.5 |
| OADM 156T - (Electronic Information Management ) | 1 |
| OADM 185T - (Office Practicum) or, OADM 181T - (Level II Project) | 1.5 |
| OADM 186T - (Accounting Capstone) | 2 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
| Year 1 Credits | 30 |
Legal Administrative Assistant
This specialty's certificate is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge required to join a firm’s legal support staff at the junior level. Students gain in-depth procedural law training in a variety of areas such as conveyancing, litigation, family law, corporate law, and wills and estates. In addition, students complete training in administrative and interpersonal skills, as well as in the use of computers and software including word processing and email applications.
A two week practicum course is available at the end of the program for eligible students.
Career Opportunities
Graduates have found career opportunities in private law firms; Crown prosecutor’s offices; federal, provincial, and municipal government offices; real estate companies; offices of notaries public; insurance offices, and major corporations. Graduates may apply for occupations such as legal administrative assistants, legal support assistants, legal receptionists, legal secretaries, legal admin support clerks, conveyancers, corporate secretary, litigation assistants, and other legal office support positions.
| Semester I | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 130T - (Business English) | 3 |
| OADM 146T - (Office Computer Applications I) | 3 |
| OADM 160T - (Legal Office Procedures) | 3 |
| OADM 170T - (Human Relations) | 1.5 |
| OADM 172T - (Excel Basics) | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Semester II | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 161T - (Civil Litigation) | 3 |
| OADM 162T - (Family & Divorce) | 3 |
| OADM 163T - (Wills and Estates) | 1.5 |
| OADM 164T - (Conveyancing) | 3 |
| OADM 165T - (Corporate Law) | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
| Semester III | Credits |
|---|---|
| OADM 135T - (Employment Strategies) | 1.5 |
| OADM 156T - (Electronic Information Management ) | 1 |
| OADM 167T - (Legal Office Practicum) or, OADM 181T - (Level II Project) | 1.5 |
| OADM 188T - (Legal Capstone) | 2 |
| Total Credits | 6 |
| Year 1 Credits | 30 |
All program courses must be successfully completed before certificates will be issued.
Admission Information
- General admission requirements apply.
- Minimum “C” in English 12, and minimum “C” in either Mathematics 10 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10, or equivalent.
Note: Students who do not meet the minimum "C" grade in English 12 and minimum "C" grade in either Mathematics 10 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 prerequisites for this program can write an assessment test.
Notes on Admission
- Certified touch-typing speed of minimum 25 net words per minute based on a 5-minute timing with 5 or fewer errors is recommended.*
- Applicants without English 12 and Mathematics 10 will be considered for admission if they successfully complete reading comprehension, sentence skills, and arithmetic assessment. Call toll–free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6276 to book an assessment or use our online booking system at VIU Assessments.
- Students with previous work experience, or with current training, may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Contact the Advising Centre toll–free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6410 for information on PLA.
- This is a demanding program, and applicants with the minimum admission requirements may experience difficulties in completing the program.
- A strong foundation with computer file management, including saving, moving, deleting, copying and renaming both files, folders, and subfolders in Windows Explorer is strongly recommended.
- Experience using/operating/navigating a PC computer/Windows environment (not MAC) is recommended.
* Please call toll–free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6276 to book a keyboarding assessment. Students who submit a recent college-verified keyboarding timing of 25 nwpm, as above, will have met the keyboarding requirement.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Cowichan | Administrative Assistant Specialty | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
45.16
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Naomi Knodel Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Naomi.Knodel@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Colin Cameron Phone: 250.746.3595 Email: Colin.Cameron@viu.ca
Comments:
Students who do not meet the minimum "C" grade in English 12 and/or minimum "C" grade in either Mathematics 10 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 prerequisites for this program can write an Applied Business Technology assessment test. |
|||
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | Administrative Assistant Specialty | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$45.16
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Jenny Carpen-Rouget Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2283 Email: Jenny.Carpen-Rouget@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Colin Cameron Phone: 250.746.3595 Email: Colin.Cameron@viu.ca
Comments:
Students who do not meet the minimum "C" grade in English 12 and/or minimum "C" grade in either Mathematics 10 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 prerequisites for this program may write an assessment test. Students will be added to the wait list once their application is complete. |
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International
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| to | Nanaimo | Administrative Assistant Speciality | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$150.00
International Admissions Officer Contact:
Name: Jenny Carpen-Rouget Email: Study@viu.ca
Comments:
At this time the Legal and Accounting specialties are not accepting applications while we work on updating the program content. We encourage you to apply for the Administrative Assistant Specialty.
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Your new career is waiting for you
Take the first step toward a rewarding career in Office Administration.
Join us at VIU. We can't wait to get to know you.