Office Administration Certificate

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Gain a career in less than a year. The certificate in Office Administration gives you the skills and experience businesses and institutions are looking for. You and your future are worth it.

Invest in yourself.

This 35-week program prepares you for immediate employment in a constantly changing office environment. You will obtain the knowledge and skills required to gain employment in administrative support positions in business, government and non-governmental organizations.

The last component of the program is a three-week practicum placement aimed at providing on-the-job training, furthering your employment opportunities.

Gold Medal Winner Morganne Harding, Office Administration Student

Morganne says Portage College helped to refine her competition skills. “The tasks required; being organized and having good time management – things I enjoy.”

Today, Morganne is gainfully employed. During her three-week practicum at a local Bonnyville business, the company offered her a permanent job.

Full story

Domestic Apply

Use this process to apply to Portage College if you are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident (landed immigrant) or a protected person (refugee).

Domestic Funding Options

Browse through funding options available to students at Portage College to see what may be available to you.

Domestic Information Request

If you would like to receive more information about this program please use the Info Request Form linked here.

Career Potential Employment opportunities are not limited to private businesses. The Alberta government, colleges, municipalities, settlement and band offices have all hired Office Administration graduates. Possible job opportunities are:

  • Administrative assistant
  • Human resources assistant
  • Medical receptionist
  • Receptionist
  • Records management assistant
  • Secretary

Credentials Certificate

Admission Requirements

  • English Language Arts 20-2
  • Math 10-3 or MAT 1041 (Portage College) with a minimum of 60%
  • Students who do not meet admission requirements can contact student services regarding opportunities for placement testing. * Students will need to submit an application to the program to start the process.

Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide. Transferability: N/A

Program Start/End Date August 28, 2025 to May 22, 2026 Application Deadline August 15, 2025 Locations Online Delivery with instructor-led classes

Domestic Student Fees Application Fee $53.50 Fall Term Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025

Tuition $2,522.72
Student Association $116.70
Dental Insurance Fee $163.25
Health Insurance Fee $163.25
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $3,103.20

Winter Term Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025

Tuition $2,522.72
Student Association $116.70
Technology Fee $82.71
Recreation Fee $54.57
Total $2,776.70

Total tuition & mandatory fees for year: $5,879.90Part-time Fees Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies. Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs) Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.

Fee Explanations

Students’ Association Fees These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act. Health & Dental Fees You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan. Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609. Athletics & Recreation Fees These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online. Technology Fee This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure. As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

Office Administration Course Listing

Accounting 101 is an introductory course that explores how to complete basic transactions and maintain accounts and records. The emphasis is on the understanding of accounting procedures and terminology to simulate the day-to-day operations of a merchandise company. Through practical application, students will learn to maintain and complete an accounting cycle, apply cash controls, prepare bank reconciliations, and prepare a petty cash fund. The manual completion of payroll accounting is a focus as well. Prerequisites: Math 10-3 or 60% in MATH 1041
Hours: 64
Credits: 3

Business Communications I reviews and develops skill in using standard English principles. Covered within this context is the proper use of grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary essential to anyone wishing to be a successful office worker. This course identifies common usage errors and demonstrates how to correct them. Prerequisites: English 20-2
Hours: 53
Credits: 2

Business Communications II reviews and extends skills in using standard English principles, including grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling. Proofreading and editing for common usage and formatting errors in a variety of business documents are emphasized. Writing skills are introduced and applied to memos, letters, and other common business documents. Oral communication and presentations is also covered. Prerequisite – COMM 123
Hours: 53
Credits: 2

The practicum provides an opportunity for Office Administration students to work in an office environment and apply the skills learned during the program in an employment situation. Work placements are arranged by the Business Program instructors to provide the best experience possible. Prerequisites: OFFR 100, Satisfactory Progress in BUSI 108, and Business Program Approval
Hours: 105
Credits: 1.5

This course provides students with an introduction to databases using Access for Windows. Topics covered include creating a database, creating tables and graphs, entering information, and querying a database.
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Students continue with Access, covering the following topics: maintaining a database, creating reports and forms, modifying and filtering data as well as importing and exporting data. Prerequisite – COMA 115
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Document Formatting I provides students with an opportunity to accurately create a variety of business communications. From creating a rough draft to creating a professionally formatted document, the course also sharpens skills in keyboarding, proofreading and accurately following instructions. Prerequisites: KEYB 136
Hours: 85
Credits: 3

Document Formatting II teaches students to extrapolate pertinent information and format it into a logically laid out business document using tables and online forms. Students learn to format a long report using MS Word. It also provides students with the opportunity to solve job-like examples by combining their cumulative knowledge of business document creation and proofreading skills. Prerequisite: BUSI 107, COMA 102 Co-requisite: KEYB 138
Hours: 64
Credits: 3

The main focus in this course is on developing people skills that are crucial to being successful in the workplace. It is becoming increasingly evident that students need highly developed human relations skills in order to collaborate effectively and manage their work relationships. The course is designed to guide students through building and shaping their behaviour so that they get along effectively with others in a business, as well as in a social environment. Prerequisites: None
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Integrated Projects I provides exposure to the integration of word processing, graphics, spreadsheets, and data base programs in a windows environment. Prerequisites: COMA 102, COMA 111Co-requisite: COMA 115
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Integrated Projects II provides students with exposure to web page software and using the internet as a research tool. Emphasis is placed on correct referencing and sourcing of material as well as good web site design. Prerequisites: BUSI 121
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Business Math provides a review of basic mathematics to prepare students to perform specific business math functions as applied to common business and personal situations. Topics include calculator usage, problem-solving, trade/cash discounts, mark-ups/ markdowns, interest calculations, and other related topics. This course reviews basic mathematical applications used to perform specific business math functions and helps to develop speed and accuracy in fundamental mathematical processes. Prerequisites: Math 10-3 or 60% in MAT 1041
Hours: 64
Credits: 3

This course will introduce students to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) environment and allow them to fully understand system software as it relates to program software and hardware. The system software examined within this course will be Windows 10. Prerequisites: None
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Job Search assists students in identifying their skills, creating a résumé, and preparing for and participating in an interview. Prerequisites: COMA 102 & COMM 123
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Students are provided with an introduction to the use of computers for word processing with use of Microsoft Word. The topics covered in this course include creating and editing documents using wizards, working with tables, and formatting text with indents and tabs.
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Students continue with Word covering topics such as headers and footers, columns, mail merge, styles, macros, graphics and forms. Prerequisite – COMA 101
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Students continue to learn more advanced features in Word such as creating brochures, working with long documents and advanced mail merging. Prerequisite – COMA 102
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

This course provides students with an introduction to spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Topics covered include creating and editing a spreadsheet, saving, retrieving, printing, formatting, functions, formulas, absolute versus relative addressing and charts.
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

This course continues with Excel, covering topics such as advanced formatting, charts, working with large spreadsheets, and financial functions. Prerequisite – COMA 111
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Advanced Excel topics covered include database functions, macros, workbook collaboration, auditing, and importing and exporting spreadsheets. Prerequisite – COMA 112
Hours: 22
Credits: 1

Students learn basic keyboarding skills in a Word environment.
Hours: 22
Credits: 0.5

This course is concerned with proper workstation techniques and establishing keystroking patterns for keyboarding speed and accuracy.Pre-requisite - KEYB 136
Hours: 44
Credits: 1

This course is comprised of many elements relating to office work, with the overall objective of learning to be an effective office worker. Concepts such as the handling of incoming/outgoing mail, filing, reception, phone techniques, and the operation of office machines are covered. Additional topics are covered as they relate to current demands on the modern office worker. Prerequisites: English 20-2 or COMM 123
Hours: 53
Credits: 3