Vancouver Community College - Programs / Courses - Administrative Assistant
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Administrative Assistant

Get the essential skills to work in an office environment as an administrative assistant in a variety of industries. Students are taught secretarial skills, as well as the latest advances in office technology and are trained to work as an administrative assistant in industries such as manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, hospitality, transportation, government agencies and service organizations. From effective oral and written communications and time management techniques, to the latest computer word processing, spreadsheet and graphics software, you'll also learn practical skills working alone and in groups. Lessons include videos, demonstrations, guest lectures and field trips as well as real work experience.


If you know the admission requirements, Apply Now

Find out more about this program:


Program Description

In the first term, the major portion of class time is devoted to practical skills training, with an emphasis on building human relations and business communication skills. The second term expands hands-on practical skills training with a greater emphasis on advanced applications on computers and machine transcribers. Program time is set aside for work experience where the student is placed in a challenging work environment which requires application of the skills learned in the program.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time
January, May, August 8 months Certificate Downtown Part or Full-time


Career Prospects

New technology is changing the role of an administrative assistant in today's office. Graduates of this program may choose careers requiring not only traditional secretarial skills, but also the ability to use the latest advances in office technology. The scope of job opportunities for administrative assistants is vast and growing - all organizations require skilled support. Employment may be found in industry and the fields of manufacturing, finance, insurance, real estate, hospitality, transportation, government agencies and service organizations.

Information about graduate outcomes


Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students.

Exceptions
Convention refugees as designated by the federal government;

Foreign live-in caregivers;

Individuals with work permits valid for at least one year, covering the duration of studies; or those with Approval in Principle letters from Citizenship and Immigration Canada;

Legal dependents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents (certain conditions apply);

Diplomats and their direct dependents;

International exchange students.

VCC will require proof of citizenship, residency, diplomatic or refugee status. Please see VCC's policy relating to admission for non-citizens and non-residents for more information.

International students
VCC welcomes international students from around the world to the college's academic or career programs.

To learn more about language requirements for your program of interest, please read our English-language requirements guide; to learn more about how to apply, please see the VCC International website.

We look forward to meeting you.


As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.


Program Specific

1) Grade 12 graduation, GED or equivalent, including English 12 or equivalent*

2) Proof of successful completion of a certified keyboarding/typing skill course using the touch-typing method with a minimum speed of 25 g.w.p.m. (gross words per minute) for five minutes with a maximum of 5 errors

Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis

*Applicants whose first language is other than English, who have not completed English 098/099 and are presenting foreign documents equivalent to Grade 12, must successfully complete an English Language Assessment http://www.vcc.ca/assessments which includes a Canadian Language Benchmark of Listening 7, Speaking 7, Reading 7, and Writing 7 or better.

Recommended characteristics

- Personal hygiene, grooming and appearance acceptable to a business office

- Good command of oral and written English

- Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions

- Good finger/hand dexterity for operating office equipment and machines

Program Status

Accepting applications

Apply to this Program


The first step, apply early. Students who have officially applied and met all admission requirements are sent a letter of acceptance approximately four to five months in advance of the next available start date. A first payment is required to reserve a space in the program.

    Online     Fax     In Person
If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.443.8450. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your Check application status to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.


Fees and Other Costs


Application Fee Tuition Fee
$30.00 $2,592.50

International Tuition Fees

Application Fee Tuition Fee Ancillary Fee
$125.00 $11,323.70 $530


Other Costs

Cost Type Details
College initiative fee $74.80
Student union fee $47.38
Student union health plan fee $142.15
Student union dental plan fee $135.41
Other costs Textbooks and supplies: $900


- Fees are approximate and subject to change without notice. Students making advanced payments for programs/courses or installment payments for current programs, will be required to pay increased rates. The application fee is non-refundable. For more information, see withdrawals and refunds specific to this program.


Courses

Term 1
Course Name Course Code Credits
Business Communications 1 OADM 1120 2.0
Business Communications 2 OADM 1130 2.0
Document Formatting OADM 1142 2.0
Human Relations OADM 1121 2.0
Intermediate Word and PowerPoint OADM 1132 2.0
Introduction to Computers and Word OADM 1122 2.5
Speed and Accuracy 1 OADM 1101 2.5
Spreadsheets (Excel) OADM 1125 2.0


Term 2
Course Name Course Code Credits
Basic Bookkeeping OADM 1223 2.0
Computerized Accounting OADM 1233 2.0
Database and Office Integration OADM 1252 2.5
Electronic Transcription OADM 1240 2.0
Office Procedures OADM 1226 2.0
Office Simulation OADM 1228 2.0
Speed and Accuracy 2 OADM 1200 2.5
Work Experience OADM 1238 2.0


Note: All course/program information including course/program content, length, admission requirements, prerequisites, start/end dates, postponements and/or cancellation is subject to change without notice.