Play a central role in operational success - explore a career in office administration.

The Office Administration Ontario College Certificate program provides the knowledge and skills that prepare you for a rewarding office administration career.

Develop both theoretical and applied skills during various simulated office situations. Practise conducting administrative procedures and producing industry-standard documents. Enhance your ability to use digital tools by conducting research and mastering Microsoft Office applications and other industry-standard software packages.

After graduating, this flexible program gives you the option to pursue a specialized education by taking one of Algonquin College's Office Administration diploma programs. Earn a diploma after completing one more year of studies in either the Executive (available online) or Health services (available on campus) specializations. With each option, you graduate with essential office skills, as well as critical skills for success, such as resourcefulness, responsibility, creative thinking, and problem solving.

Graduates may find employment opportunities in a variety of entry-level support staff or administration positions in both public and private sectors.

To qualify for this certificate, you must complete the program within four years.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Enjoy working in an office environment.
• Have an interest and aptitude in computer and technology applications and enjoy a hands-on approach to learning.
• Enjoy working independently and in a diverse team environment.
• Are well organized and pay attention detail.
• Work effectively under time constraints.
• Have the ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Careers

Graduates are equipped with skills for a variety of entry-level support staff or administrative positions in both public and private sectors.

Pathways

Please note: There may be more pathways available for this program than are listed here. Please use our Pathways search tool to see every option.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
2. Schedule and coordinate tasks within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
3. Receive, process and distribute communications in the workplace to assist the flow of information.
4. Operate and provide support related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
5. Locate, file and retrieve documents and records from a variety of electronic and paper sources to support daily office operations.
6. Record basic financial information using established document formats, procedures and accounting software.
7. Produce routine business documents using available technologies and established standards and formats.
8. Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to diversity and to support the vision and mission of the organization.
9. Compile resources as well as services to prepare summary reports.
10. Select and use information technologies to support communication with internal and external stakeholders.
11. Assist in the organization and coordination of meetings and travel arrangements.
12. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

Read this before applying:

Part-time students who started the program before Winter 2023, please email online@algonquincollege.com for registration information.

Program Resources

International students wishing to study online should visit https://www.algonquincollege.com/online/international for information related to International online students and for International fees information prior to registering. Please note that AC Online programs do not qualify international students for new study permits or study permit extensions.

This program has flexible delivery options.

Courses appearing to be unavailable online (during the registration period) may have substitute courses which are taken instead. If you are a full-time student, you are automatically put into those courses; if you are part-time, please contact our office for the current substitutions and links to these courses.

PLEASE NOTE that in the Office Administration programs there are certain courses where it is mandatory for the students to have a Windows-based computer as some of the software application functions used in the program do not run effectively on other platforms (even when running via Parallels on MAC). MAC laptops and Chromebooks will not be supported in the Office Administration programs.

PRIOR LEARNING RECOGNITION AND ASSESSMENT (PLAR):
Students who wish to apply for PLAR need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all of the course learning requirements. Evidence of learning achievements for PLAR candidates may include a comprehensive challenge examination and/or completion of a portfolio.

AC ONLINE ACADEMIC PLANNER:
The Academic Planner provides registered part-time students the ability to declare into a program of study. The Academic Planner outlines successfully completed courses to date, as well as courses that need to be completed in order to meet graduation requirements. It is therefore essential that all part-time students declare to their program of study, allowing administrators to plan course offerings. The tool is available on ACSIS, located under 'Part-time Students' on the left-hand toolbar.

PROGRAM PROGRESSION:
As per policy AA39: Program Progression and Graduation Requirements when students are admitted to a program, they are assigned to the Program of Study that aligns with their start date. If a student takes a break for two or more consecutive terms the Program of Study is reset to align with the current version (when studies are resumed).

Future Students

For additional information, please contact our Customer Service Representative team at online@algonquincollege.com and they will direct you to the best person to answer your specific questions.

Current Students

For additional information, please reference the AC Online Circle of Care.