Today, Morganne is gainfully employed. During her three-week practicum at a local Bonnyville business, the company offered her a permanent job.
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."
Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.
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
Grade 11 or equivalent with credit in:
- English 20-2
- Math 10-3 or 60% in MAT 1041 (Portage College)
- 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: $5,879.90
Part-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.
Office Administration
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.