Want to be workplace ready in just 10 months? The Office Administration program leads you to a rewarding career in professional office roles. Our graduates are in demand for positions that give you weekends off, paid vacation and health benefits. Some students progress from the Office Administration program into academic degree programs.
What you learn
You will become a superstar in:
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creating and editing simple websites
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designing brochures, business cards and other printed materials
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writing and editing professional emails, business letters, memos, and reports
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emailing, schedule meetings, and managing other people’s calendars
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managing data to create forms and reports
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electronic and physical filing to ensure documents are easy to find
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basic business math to help with accounting and bookkeeping
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communicating with coworkers, patients, customers, and clients with empathy
- and so much more!
You will also gain valuable experience in a local office during a work practicum at the end of the program.
The Office Administration certificate teaches you to become a valued member in the workplace. You will learn important skills like:
- how to communicate effectively
- how to be a critical thinker
- the importance of your mindset
- creating welcoming work environments
- conflict prevention
- troubleshooting
- learning on the job.
When you complete the program, you will receive a Vancouver Island University Office Administration certificate.
Office Administration information session
Career opportunities
You'll leave with a wide range of transferable skills and the ability to become the glue that hold any office together. VIU grads have rewarding careers in hundreds of local offices, including:
- federal, provincial, and municipal government offices
- school district offices
- universities
- major corporations, mid-sized and small companies.
Roles include
- administrative assistants
- secretaries
- office clerks
- receptionists
- executive assistants
- office managers
- registration assistants.
Many VIU grads progress to roles like office administrators, operations managers, project managers, and more!
Program costs
See Program Costs for details regarding current fees.
Apply
To become a student in the Office Administration Program, check out our FAQs and apply to VIU.
Maddy Thomas
Administrative Assistant Graduate
Before joining Vancouver Island University's Office Administration program, I was a musician working multiple service jobs. I was feeling uncertain about my career path after taking two years of a music degree. Seeing a friend's success after completing the Office Administration program inspired me to enroll.
Unlike my previous arts education, VIU's Office Administration program focused on practical skills over theory. Through real-life scenarios and hands-on training, I gained valuable experience in tasks like filing, email management, meeting coordination, and business communication that I got the chance to put to use during my practicum at VIU's Trades and Applied Technology office.
This experience led to several roles at VIU, where I now serve as an Administrative Coordinator, Office of the Dean. Collaborating with faculty, VIU leadership, and the team I manage, I play a vital role in supporting the institution's mission.
Taking the Office Administration program has been life-changing, providing me with job stability, benefits, and a fulfilling career. For those seeking a practical education and a pathway to meaningful employment, I highly recommend VIU's Office Administration program.