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Executive Assistant Diploma
The Executive Assistant Diploma prepares office administration students to serve in more senior positions as office managers and assistants to senior executives in both industry and government. After completing the TRU Administrative Assistant Certificate in Year 1 or an equivalent office administration program from another institution, students take additional courses in accounting, communications, marketing, law, and management in Year 2.
With the Executive Assistant Diploma, graduates will be well-prepared to write the accreditation exams for the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Organizational Management (OM) designation programs.
If you are highly motivated, like working with people, are organized, and have excellent communication skills, the Executive Assistant Diploma program could provide you with the added skills you need to “move up” in your organization.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this program, students are able to:
- Prepare effective business documents including memorandums and short reports.
- Describe the environment that businesses operate in, the functions of management, and the role of different management disciplines.
- Maintain the financial records of a small business.
- Utilize spreadsheet and other application software in day-to-day work activities.
- Explain how effective management information systems can contribute to an organization’s success.
- Discuss how human and interpersonal behaviour theory can be applied to maximize organizational efficiency.
- Collect and analyze information to assist management in making more effective operational decisions.
- Develop a basic marketing plan for a new product or service based on a strong understanding of the 4Ps of place, price, place and promotion.
- Implement effective human resource practices in an office environment.
- Apply the basic principles of contract, tort, employment and other areas of business law to decision making.
Admission requirements
- B.C. Grade 12 or mature student status
- Foundations Math 12 or Pre-Calculus Math 12 with a minimum C+ or equivalent
- English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 73 percent or equivalent
- Completion of the TRU Administrative Assistant Certificate or equivalent one-year certificate program
Program content: second year
ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue. Students read, critically analyze, and synthesize information and ideas found in appropriate secondary sources and coming from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. They also develop their abilities to communicate knowledge by composing in the genres and sub-genres of scholarly writing, including the incorporation of research and documentation while using a clear, persuasive, grammatically-correct style.
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MNGT 1710 Introduction to Business (3,0,0)MNGT 1710 Introduction to Business (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits This course introduces students to the fundamentals of many business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. Students will engage with community business experts for example guest speakers, who will share their business experience dealing with a wide range of issues. Students will simulate, adapt, and respond to a variety of business challenges, expanding their knowledge of business. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to set goals, reflect on their learning and plan for their futures. Topics include multiple perspectives on business, management functions, forms of business ownership, the importance of entrepreneurship, and Indigenous business.
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ORGB 2810 Organizational Behaviour (3,0,0)ORGB 2810 Organizational Behaviour (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the behavior of individuals and how they interact with each other in different workplace organizations. Topics include defining organizational behavior; perception, personality and emotions; values, attitudes and their effects in the workplace; motivating self and others; working in teams; communication, conflict and negotiation; power and politics; leadership; decision making, creativity and ethics; and organizational culture and change.
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ACCT 2210 Financial Accounting (3,0,0)ACCT 2210 Financial Accounting (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students develop the skills necessary to prepare and analyze the financial statements of a public corporation. Topics include the conceptual framework; accounting standards; the accounting cycle; financial statements; internal control, cash and bank reconciliations; short-term investments and receivables; inventory; long-term assets including intangibles; liabilities including bonds payable; shareholders' equity, dividends, and share repurchases; comprehensive income and the statement of shareholders' equity; statement of cash flows; and financial statement analysis.
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MIST 2610 Management Information Systems (3,0,0)MIST 2610 Management Information Systems (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize information systems and technology in support of organizational strategy. Topics include an introduction to information systems; information systems strategy; ethics, privacy, and policy; data security; data and knowledge management; networks and communications technologies; wireless and mobile computing; e-business and e-commerce; Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and social networks; systems development and managing information systems projects; and personal productivity software, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
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CMNS 1290 Introduction to Professional Writing (3,0,0)CMNS 1290 Introduction to Professional Writing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students study the theories and practice of professional organizational communication, learning the importance of effective communication to meeting goals, developing and maintaining relationships and the overall facilitation of work. Students develop skills in evaluating communication scenarios, designing communication strategies that meet goals and audience need, including requests, information sharing and persuasion. In addition, students learn to employ writing techniques and editorial skills relevant to professional communication contexts.
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ACCT 2250 Management Accounting (3,0,0)ACCT 2250 Management Accounting (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students develop the skills necessary to collect, analyze, and communicate quantitative and non-quantitative information to assist management in making more effective planning and control decisions. Topics include the role of managerial accounting; basic cost management concepts; job, process, hybrid and activity-based costing; cost behaviour and estimation; cost-volume-profit analysis; profit planning and activity-based budgeting; standard costing, flexible budgeting and variance analysis; cost management tools including the balanced scorecard, benchmarking and reengineering; and relevant costs for decision making such as make or buy, special orders, joint products and outsourcing.
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MKTG 2430 Introduction to Marketing (3,0,0)MKTG 2430 Introduction to Marketing (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students receive an overall view of the marketing function, the role of marketing in society and its application within organizations. Topics include an overview of marketing; developing a marketing plan and strategies; analyzing the marketing environment; consumer behaviour; segmentation, targeting, and positioning; developing new products; product, branding, and packaging decisions; pricing concepts and strategies; distribution strategies; and integrated marketing communications.
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HRMN 2820 Human Resource Management (3,0,0)HRMN 2820 Human Resource Management (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students are introduced to the management of an organization's workforce through the design and implementation of effective human resource policies and procedures. Current Canadian issues and practices are emphasized. The topics include the strategic role of human resources management; human resources planning; job analysis and design; recruitment and selection; employment equity; compensation; training and development; performance appraisal; occupational health and safety; and employee and industrial relations.
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BLAW 2910 Commercial Law (3,0,0)BLAW 2910 Commercial Law (3,0,0)Credits: 3 credits Students examine the legal environment in which businesses operate and how common law and different provincial and federal government statutes influence decision making. Topics include origins of Canadian law; resolving disputes and navigating the court system; tort law, contract law; sales of goods and consumer protection; methods of carrying on business; workplace law; property law; and creditor law.
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Students must achieve a grade of C- or better in all courses to graduate.
