Office Administration’s Most Vital Courses

With faculty members who have had experience in the field, Centennial College’s office administration program — officially known as Office Administration – Executive — not only gives students the opportunity to graduate with an Ontario College Diploma. It also enhances their learning experience, as instructors are able to share personal anecdotes that relate to course material and offer insight into the latest industry trends.

Applicants looking to receive their training in this Office Administration program must complete an admissions process that includes requirements such as: possession of at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent or being 19 years of age or older as well as the English 12C or U credit or a skills assessment or equivalent. It’s worth noting that those students who are transferring to this Office Administration program from Centennial College’s Office Administration - General certificate program must have successfully completed either the Transcription Techniques or Machine Transcription course.

With a focus on helping students to develop service, communication, time management and supervisory skills, Office Administration prepares students to perform tasks such as: taking minutes of meetings as well as general note taking, producing documents, arranging national and international conferences, researching using the Internet and other sources, composing business correspondence and preparing or setting up for presentations.

While all courses in Office Administration are beneficial to teaching students the above skills, here are a few of the standout ones.

Executive Communications: A practical course, this Office Administration offering helps students to develop their ability to record material in shorthand and transcribe these words on the computer using current format techniques. Emphasis is placed on planning, outlining, writing, editing, and proofreading handwritten and spoken material.

Office Procedures and Communications: Office Administration students learn basic techniques and procedures generally used in business organizations. Students work on skills such as teamwork while exercising critical thinking, and recognizing acceptable standards of performance and behavior in a business setting.

Executive Office Procedures (two levels): The first of these two office administrator schools teaches students time organization, communications and public relations skills, and becoming familiar with technology and procedures for a career as an administrative assistant. The second, meanwhile, equips Office Administration students with realistic and practical experiences to strengthen their administrative skills and knowledge of executive office procedures.

Integrated Software Applications: A range of software application skills are taught in relation to producing business documents and presentations. As such, word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation software to share, embed, and link data between applications are integrated. Students also continue to practice touch-typing speed through regular drills and timed tests.

Transcription Techniques: Presented in two courses, this aspect of the Office Administration program covers the fundamentals of Business English to help students become competent in proofreading, editing and transcribing common forms of business correspondence.