Home
SoBE Programs
TRU MBA
Economics
Management Education Centre
Community Projects
SoBE News & Events
Research
Faculty & Staff
Contact Us
Careers at TRU
 > TRU Home > Business > SoBE Programs > Certificates

Certificates

Certificates and diplomas at TRU are of interest to students who wish to have a one- or two-year program that gives them core business skills but which allow them to return to school (or continue directly to a third year) to complete a four-year degree.

Administrative Assistant Certificate

The Administrative Assistant Certificate is an eight-month, office administration program designed to prepare students for employment in a wide range of positions in business. 

Successful graduates will possess excellent communication skills, be team players, and have a positive attitude.  They will be flexible and be able to work on their own initiative.  Administrative assistants are creative and have the ability to solve problems and exercise good judgment.  They will be proficient in a variety of software applications and possess a good knowledge of the business environment.  As key employees in an organization, administrative assistants need to keep current and be ready to take on new responsibilities.

Business Fundamentals Certificate

A Business Fundamentals Certificate will be awarded to students who complete only  the first semester of the program. This certificate provides the basic office skills needed to secure entry-level employment and is ideal for those students who can only spend a short time in school.

Executive Assistant Diploma

The Executive Assistant Diploma prepares students to serve in more senior positions as office managers and assistants to senior managers in both industry and government.  After completing the Administrative Assistant Certificate in Year 1, students take additional courses in management, business communications, and economics in Year 2. 

With the Executive Assistant Diploma, graduates will be well-prepared to write the accreditation exams for the Certified Professional Secretary (CPS) and Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) designation programs. They can also ladder into the Bachelor of Business Administration and complete the degree with two to three years additional study.

If you are highly motivated, like working with people, are organized, and are excited by new technology, the Administrative Assistant program could be for you.

Administrative Assistant Certificate
Admission Requirements

I.  Educational Requirements

    B.C. Grade 11 (Grade 12 preferred) or mature student status

II. General Requirements

  • Minimum keyboarding speed of 25 net words per minute
  • Satisfactory achievement on the Accuplacer Test 
    or B standing in ENGL 0600
    or 67% on the combined English 12 and Government Exam (within the last 5 years).

Program Content

Fall Semester

ABTS 1100 - Word Processing 1
ABTS 1140 - Keyboarding 2
ABTS 1200 - Introduction to Computers
ABTS 1210 - Spreadsheets 1
ABTS 1230 - Databases
ABTS 1300 - Business Communications 1
ABTS 1400 - Financial Accounting
ABTS 1500 - Human Relations

Winter Semester

ABTS 1110 - Word Processing 2
ABTS 1120 - Desktop Publishing
ABTS 1140 - Keyboarding 2
ABTS 1220 - Spreadsheets 2
ABTS 1240 - Presentation Software
ABTS 1250 - Integrated Project
ABTS 1260 - Web Site Maintenance and Design
ABTS 1310 - Business Communications 2
ABTS 1410 - Computerized Accounting - Simply
ABTS 1510 - Job Search
ABTS 1520 - Practicum
ABTS 1530 - Administrative Procedures

Executive Assistant Diploma
Admission Requirements

I. Educational Requirements

Completion of the Administrative Assistant Certificate or equivalent one-year certificate program

II. General Requirements

  1. B.C. Principles of Math 11 or equivalent with at least a B
    or B.C. Applications of Math 12 with a pass (50%) or better
    or completion of MATH 0510 with a B or better.
    B.C. Principles of Math 12 is highly recommended.
  2. 73% on the combined English 12 and Government Exam (within the last 5 years)
    or Level 4 on the Composition Section of the LPI (within the last 2 years)
    or completion of ENGL 0600 with a B or better
    or completion of CESL 0530, 0540, 0570 with a C+ or better.

Program Content

Fall Semester

ACCT 1010 - Management Accounting
BBUS 2720 - Organizational Behaviour
ENGL 1810 - Business, Professional, and Academic Writing
MNGT 1430 - Introduction to Marketing
MNGT 1700 - Introduction to Business

Winter Semester

ECON 1950 - Macroeconomics
ENGL 1910 - Report Writing and Business Presentations
BBUS 3810 - Introduction to Human Resource Management
MNGT 2710 - Business Strategy
MNGT 2930 - Commercial Law

Career Opportunities

Students who complete this program will find employment in both large and small firms as administrative assistants, office assistants, or office support workers, as well as a wide range of technological support roles. Diploma graduates should be able to advance into more senior positions as office managers or executive assistants to senior managers.

Wages and Advancement

Wages vary depending on the company.  Those able to advance to more senior positions as office managers or executive assistants can expect to earn considerably more. The Executive Assistant Diploma should assist with this transition.

Further Information 

Admissions:
Phone: (250) 828-5036
Fax: (250) 371-5960
E-mail:  admissions@tru.ca

Program enquiries:
E-mail abt@tru.ca