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Administrative Assistant Certificate
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The Administrative Assistant Certificate (on-campus) is completed over an eight-month period and prepares students for employment in a variety of office positions. Emphasis is placed on developing a student's communication, software application and accounting skills and their ability to work effectively as part of a team.
After completing the Administrative Assistant Certificate, graduates can pursue the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Organizational Management (OM) designation. They can also ladder into the Executive Assistant Diploma and then possibly a business degree either on-campus or online.
Those who complete just the Fall Semester courses will be awarded a Business Fundamentals Certificate. This will qualify graduates for some entry-level office administration positions, but further study is recommended.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this program, students are able to:
- Transcribe data at a keyboarding speed of 50 words per minute or more.
- Write and/or edit grammatically accurate, well styled business documents.
- Prepare professional business documents including memorandums, letters, reports, newsletters and advertising flyers using word processing and specialized desktop publishing applications.
- Use spreadsheet software to organize, analyze and present operational data.
- Use data base management software to organize, analyze and present operational data.
- Create business presentations incorporating graphical, sound and video features.
- Maintain the financial records of a small business using computerized accounting software.
- Design and update a simple website for an organization.
- Interact successfully with clients, co-workers and superiors.
- Apply administrative office procedures using current business technology.
- Demonstrate effective resume writing, interview and other job search skills.
Admission requirements
- BC Grade 11 (Grade 12 preferred) or mature student status
- Minimum keyboarding speed of 25 net words per minute
- English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 67 per cent or equivalent
Program requirements
ABTS 1100 Word Processing 1 (45 hours)ABTS 1100 Word Processing 1 (45 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students learn to apply the basic functions of a word processing program as well as the proper format of documents including letters and memoranda.
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ABTS 1130 Keyboarding 1 (45 hours)ABTS 1130 Keyboarding 1 (45 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are provided with the necessary techniques to keyboard accurately at a minimum of 25 net word per minute.
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ABTS 1200 Introduction to Computers (30 hours)ABTS 1200 Introduction to Computers (30 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students learn to manipulate the Windows environment, use Windows Accessories, and manage files and folders using the computer and Windows Explorer programs. They are also introduced to the Internet, including email basics and advanced features, web browser basics, web navigation, and web research.
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ABTS 1210 Spreadsheets 1 (25 hours)ABTS 1210 Spreadsheets 1 (25 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students develop a working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, by learning how to design, create, modify, and present professional-looking spreadsheets for use in today's workplace. Exercises include using formulas and built-in functions to solve mathematical problems, in addition to illustrating and presenting spreadsheet data in graphic form.
Prerequisites: ABTS 1200 |
ABTS 1230 Database (30 hours)ABTS 1230 Database (30 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are introduced to the Microsoft Access data management system, while they plan, design, and create a database to meet the information management needs of today's workplace. Terminology, database concepts, and features of relational databases are discussed and demonstrated as students use various commands and features to create tables, queries, forms, and reports. Students enter data, work with calculations, extract information, and generate and print reports.
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ABTS 1300 Business English (65 hours)ABTS 1300 Business English (65 hours)Credits: 2 credits Students focus on the correct English usage in a business environment, and are provided a comprehensive review of grammar, punctuation, and style, as well as business spelling and vocabulary development. The course materials are presented in small, easily manageable learning segments.
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ABTS 1430 Accounting 1 (45 hours)ABTS 1430 Accounting 1 (45 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are introduced to manual accounting, with an emphasis on fundamental accounting principles and their application in day-to-day business situations. This course is based on a service business organized as a sole proprietorship. Students practice basic bookkeeping and accounting skills including double-entry general journal entries, posting to the general ledger, preparing a trial balance, recording adjustments in a ten-column worksheet, producing period-end financial statements, closing the temporary accounts, maintaining petty cash, and preparing bank reconciliations.
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ABTS 1270 Outlook (25 hours)ABTS 1270 Outlook (25 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are introduced to Microsoft Outlook and receive hands-on training in the use of e-mail for online communications, calendar for managing important dates and appointments, and contacts for the creation and maintenance of an address database.
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ABTS 1500 Human Relations (30 hours)ABTS 1500 Human Relations (30 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students concentrate on developing the personal and professional development skills required in today's workplace. These skills include self-examination and assessment, development of effective communication skills, interpersonal skills, client relations, teamwork, problem solving, and an understanding of business ethics.
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ABTS 1110 Word Processing 2 (45 hours)ABTS 1110 Word Processing 2 (45 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are provided additional instruction and practice with letter styles, tables, charts and reports. Advanced features of word processing software such as merge, macros, outlines, and graphics, and styles are also demonstrated and applied.
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ABTS 1120 Desktop Publishing (40 hours)ABTS 1120 Desktop Publishing (40 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students study desktop publishing functions, including the elements of page design and organizational tools, and the planning, drafting, and production process. They learn to apply word processing and desktop publishing software, as well as integration elements, to produce publications such as letterheads, flyers, brochures, business forms, and newsletters.
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ABTS 1140 Keyboarding 2 (35 hours)ABTS 1140 Keyboarding 2 (35 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students further develop their keyboarding skills to reach a minimum speed of 50 net words per minute.
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ABTS 1220 Spreadsheets 2 (30 hours)ABTS 1220 Spreadsheets 2 (30 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students acquire a higher-level of proficiency by using Microsoft Excel to create electronic spreadsheets, for advanced applications in today's workplace. Exercises include using advanced functions and formulas, performing calculations, filtering and formatting data, and developing a custom Excel application.
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ABTS 1240 Presentation Software (20 hours)ABTS 1240 Presentation Software (20 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students apply appropriate design concepts to present data and information in a colourful and well-organized format using PowerPoint Presentation Software. They are instructed in using design templates, applying various attributes and including a variety of objects to create, modify, save, and deliver presentations.
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ABTS 1250 Integrated Project (10 hours)ABTS 1250 Integrated Project (10 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students extend their word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, and presentation software knowledge in this capstone course by completing a variety of practical, integrated projects. Decision-making, prioritizing, and other administrative skills are also developed.
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ABTS 1260 Website Design and Maintenance (30 hours)ABTS 1260 Website Design and Maintenance (30 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students acquire the skills needed to complete routine website maintenance and updates. Using a hands-on, practical approach, learners manipulate hypertext markup language (HTML), tags, tables, images, graphics, hyperlinks, special formatting, and forms using text and web authoring programs.
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ABTS 1310 Business Communications (50 hours)ABTS 1310 Business Communications (50 hours)Credits: 2 credits Students learn how to plan, organize, and correctly write effective "reader friendly" business documents appropriate for use in today's global business environment. Students write business letters, memos, reports, and electronic messages.
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ABTS 1410 Computerized Accounting (69 hours)ABTS 1410 Computerized Accounting (69 hours)Credits: 2 credits Students are introduced to the integrated computerized accounting system using Simply Accounting for Windows. Upon completion, students are able to establish company records; maintain daily transactions using the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory, and payroll features; and create financial statements.
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ABTS 1440 Accounting 2 (50 hours)ABTS 1440 Accounting 2 (50 hours)Credits: 2 credits Students are exposed to common accounting systems including sales, purchases, federal and provincial taxes, merchandise inventory, payroll, and annual reporting of remittances. They also introduced to subsidiary ledgers, specialized journals, combined journals, year-end procedures and worksheets. Financial statements are prepared in detail, including a classified balance sheet and an income statement for a merchandising business.
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ABTS 1510 Job Search (20 hours)ABTS 1510 Job Search (20 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are provided with techniques to develop successful job search strategies for today's competitive and changing job market. Topics include self-assessment, employability skill testing, job search strategies and research, using the Internet for job search and career planning, networking, resumes, employment-related communications, application forms, portfolios, and interviews.
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ABTS 1520 Practicum (40 hours)ABTS 1520 Practicum (40 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students are provided with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to meet the expectations of an employer in a real work situation during a 2-week practicum. They observe and learn daily office routines, and assist the host employer by performing tasks as required.
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ABTS 1530 Administrative Procedures (40 hours)ABTS 1530 Administrative Procedures (40 hours)Credits: 1 credits Students master essential organizational skills and develop efficient office practices in preparation for entry into the contemporary office. They acquire the ability to communicate effectively, think critically, apply problem-solving skills, and work effectively with other members of the office team. The rapid pace of change demands that office workers have the ability to develop new skills and understand new processes as jobs evolve.
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Students must achieve a grade of C or better (vocational program grading scale) in all courses to graduate.
