Traits, skills and aptitudes
Office administrators tend to be objective, methodical, and innovative.
You need:
- initiative and a professional attitude
- discretion
- strong communication skills
- time management and organizational skills
- the ability to work independently or as part of a team
- computer keyboarding skills
- conflict resolution skills
- problem-solving skills.
You should enjoy working with people, using computers, and compiling and organizing information.
Academic path
Graduates of this program can bridge into the second year of SAIT’s Administrative Information Management program and earn their diploma with an additional year of study.
Accreditations, designations or certifications
You can write up to four Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams in this program:
- Word 2019 & 365 Specialist
- Excel 2019 & 365 Specialist
- PowerPoint 2019 & 365 Specialist
- Outlook 2019 & 365 Specialist
You can earn additional certifications in the second year of the Administrative Information Management diploma.
Credential
After successfully completing this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Office Professional certificate.
Accepts international applicants - PGWP-eligible
This program accepts international applicants and meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program, as long as the student is registered in on-campus classes or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for blended options).
International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
Related careers
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Potential careers (NOC):
- Executive assistants (12100)
- Health information management occupations (12111)
- Records management technicians (12112)
- Administrative officers (13100)
- Administrative assistants (13110)
- Legal administrative assistants (13111)
- General office support workers (14100)
- Receptionists (14101)
- Data entry clerks (14111)
- Correspondence, publication and regulatory clerks (14301)
- Supervisors, general office and administrative support workers(12010)
Admission requirements - Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 50% in Math 10C or Math 20-3, and
- at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside of Alberta.
Program outline
The Office Professional certificate requires 30 credits (10 courses) to complete.
The program spans one year, with two semesters.
Suggested schedule of study
We recommend you complete the courses in the order listed below.
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.
To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Books and supplies
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore’s website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn’t receive a textbook list. Contact your program advisor directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you’re in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.
Program outcomes
- Demonstrate collaborative teamwork.
- Demonstrate basic communication skills.
- Provide basic client service.
- Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviour.
- Input, store, and retain information.
- Format business reports.
- Use emerging technology.
- Execute a variety of daily tasks and business activities.
Graduate outcomes
A. Safety - awareness of safety standards relevant to the workplace.
B. Responsible leadership - personal, ethical and respectful behaviour within the workplace and global community.
- Teamwork and multi-disciplinary collaboration
- Self-initiative
- Ethical reasoning and action
- Global awareness
- Sustainability
C. Communication - the exchange of information professionally and effectively.
- Language skills
- Interpersonal skills
D. Information literacy - the strategies used to become informed, from recognizing an information need to accessing and evaluating information and using it effectively and ethically.
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Quantitative literacy
- Technological literacy
E. Technical knowledge, skills and abilities - technical competence specific to the discipline or industry.
- Specialized technical skill set
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