Administrative Professional, Certificate

Program Information
Credential: 
Certificate
Duration: 

1 year

Delivery: 
Downtown Campus | Donald School of Business and Online Delivery
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Trevor Thomas
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca

Department Information

For more information visit Administrative Professional, in Donald School of Business under Academic Departments.

Related Careers

There is an on-going local and national demand for well-trained office personnel, especially in the growing business community of Central Alberta. Employers have expressed a strong interest in hiring one-year college graduates. Graduates will find work in both small and large centres.

The Program

An Administrative Professional is the cornerstone of the modern office. This person is adept at utilizing current computer software and technology and has learned how to be a life-long learner!

The Administrative Professional Certificate Program provides students with the software training to be competitive in a continuously changing field. In addition to well-defined keyboarding skills, you will gain basic bookkeeping knowledge, oral and written communication knowledge, training in office procedures and you will have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally through a personal leadership course. A practicum placement in an office setting provides you with an opportunity to combine your newly developed skills and knowledge with on-the-job-training. You will be qualified for entry-level office positions.

Graduates of the Administrative Professional Certificate will:

  1. Compose and accurately produce and proofread business documents using appropriate software and equipment within specified timelines.
  2. Identify and practice current professional business procedures and standards.
  3. Integrate computer, computation, and communication skills to accomplish office tasks.
  4. Demonstrate professional interpersonal skills, human relations skills.
  5. Demonstrate critical thinking in making decisions and completing tasks and projects.
Transfer Features

The Administrative Professional Certificate transfers to all Office Administration Diploma Programs in colleges in Alberta.

Completion of the Administrative Professional Certificate grants 10 credits for: a 4 credit Accounting course, Business Administration 204: Interpersonal Skills (3 credits) and Business Administration 210: Business Technology 1 (3 credits) towards the Management Certificate.

Two Administrative Professional Certificate courses are equivalent to courses offered from the Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping as part of their Certified Bookkeeper credential. See additional information regarding this program at the CIBCB website.

Delivery Options

This program is available on-campus as well as through online delivery. Distance students will require regular access to a computer with Internet service.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

50% in ELA 30-1

OR

65% in ELA 30-2

OR

A minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test.  

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Other Requirements: 

Note: While not an admission requirement for the program, some practicum agencies and field placements may require Police Information Checks of students working in their organizations. Information about obtaining Police Information Checks will be provided to students after they have been admitted to the program.

Recommended for Online Learners: While not an admission requirement for the program, in order to be successful, students should have basic computer skills (able to function independently on basic computer software programs and able to carry out basic Internet navigation).

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass all courses and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Program Content

Fall Term

  • APRO 100 Information Processing I
  • APRO 110 Document Processing I
  • APRO 126 Basic Accounting
  • APRO 130 Office Systems I
  • COMM 150 Fundamentals of College and Workplace Writing

Winter Term

  • APRO 101 Spreadsheet Fundamentals
  • APRO 102 Computer Essentials
  • APRO 111 Document Processing II 
  • APRO 131 Office Systems II
  • APRO 135 Introduction to Industry Sectors
  • APRO 160 Personal Leadership

Spring Term

  • APRO 170 Practicum
Year 1 Course Descriptions
Fall Term

APRO 100

Introduce computer concepts, systems, and terminology using Microsoft Windows and Word. Develop electronic file management and basic Word skills.

APRO 110

Develop keyboarding speed and accuracy through an emphasis on building skill using proper technique.

APRO 126

Apply accounting principles in manual and automated environments and learn the fundamentals of accounting through hands-on experience.

APRO 130

Develop current office practices including records management, telephone calls, mail procedures, social media apps and basic business math.

COMM 150

Practice in fundamental writing skills with an emphasis on grammar, basic business correspondence, and short reports for business or college. COMM 150 is accepted as a prerequisite for COMM 200 level courses.

Winter Term

APRO 101

Develop basic to intermediate skills in the operations of Microsoft Excel. Create and format worksheets and charts; write formulas; perform what-if analyses; and, use financial functions.

APRO 102

Create a database, research topics using the internet, identify the basic components of a computer system, troubleshoot hardware and software problems, prepare an electronic presentation and use a variety of internet and distance delivery tools.

APRO 111

Further develop keyboarding speed and accuracy skills. Produce business correspondence, including using mail merge, sorting and selecting functions, fill-in forms, tables, and columns to produce visually appealing and professional- looking documents. Prerequisite: APRO 100 and 110

APRO 131

Explore the systems, procedures and technology of the contemporary office. Complete an office simulation package. Prerequisite: APRO 100, APRO 110 and APRO 130

APRO 135

Assist the students in determining an industry sector for practicum and workforce employment. Increase the students' awareness and understanding of the industries within Alberta. Create an effective resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Develop interview skills.

APRO 160

Develop interpersonal communication skills; practice oral presentation skills; application of professional skills; and, complete a class project.

Spring Term

APRO 170

Application of technical and administration skills through employment in an office setting. Grading will be credit/non-credit. Prerequisite: A minimum GPA of 2.00 with no grade lower than D in the Administrative Professional Certificate fall and winter term courses.

Recognition of Prior Learning/Experience

Students may receive Recognition of Prior Learning in some courses where the learning of skills, knowledge or competencies has been acquired through work, formal and informal education or training, or self study. To qualify for the program credential students must complete at least 50% of the credit requirements through enrollment in the program. Application forms for Recognition of Prior Learning are available through the Registrar's Office. Students with keyboarding speed of 35 nwam should apply for Prior Learning Assessment in APRO 110.