Office Administration – General

Domestic Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
Grade 12 English (C, U)
Grade 11 Math (C, M, U)
Or equivalent

Or mature student status (an applicant who does not have a high school diploma or equivalent, and will have reached the age of 19 years on or before the start of the program). Mature students must undergo academic testing prior to admission into a program. Call the Admissions Office at 705-235-7222 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.

International Students – Admission Requirements and Information

1. English Proficiency, we will require one of the following:

• IELTS Academic– International English Language Testing System
  • a minimum overall score of 6.0 must be achieved with no individual band score under 6.0; however, we will accept one band at 5.5.
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – Computer-based overall minimum score of 79
• PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic – Graduate Diploma: 58+

NOTE: If your country of citizenship has English as its official language, we may accept alternate proof of English Proficiency

2. Proof of senior high school Diploma/Certificate with an equivalent Grade 11 Mathematics (50% min.) and/or Business/Commerce Stream.

****All educational documents must be submitted in English and will be dependant on the country of citizenship. For more information, contact the international admission office directly at INTLapply@northern.on.ca

CO-OP Work Permit is mandatory for this program to participate in unpaid program placements.

Semester 1
AC1034 Introduction to Financial Accounting
CM1903 Communications I – Model A
EL1103 General Education Elective
IN1093 Computer Applications for Business and Technology
MA1024 Business Math
OF1023 Office Procedures I
OF1005 Word Processing and Keyboarding I

Semester 2
BU1363 Introduction to Business
BU1103 Introduction to Human Resources
CM2903 Communications II – Model A
IN2013 Computer Applications II
IN2113 Introduction to Computerized Bookkeeping
OF2044 Placement
OF2005 Word Processing and Keyboarding II
OF2003 Administrative Procedures

AC1034 Introduction to Financial Accounting (BCA101)
This course gives hands-on training in fundamental accounting concepts as applied in service and merchandising firms. Students will be taken through a complete accounting cycle and will record and report financial transactions. Topics include recording entries, preparing financial statements and accounting for merchandising activities. This course will be essential for further study in financial accounting.

CM1903 Communications I Model A
Communications is a process that defines how we engage with the world. Writing is essential and represents the most important formal process of communication. Communications 1 is a practical course designed to help students strengthen both oral and written skills as required in industry today. Students learn theory and practical applications of good business/technical planning as well as advanced sentence-writing techniques. Students acquire knowledge of effective communication practices in today’s world of work and apply basic sentence techniques, paragraph strategies, and specialized oral and writing skills including proper usage of MLA format in business and/or technical writing situations. The students will also learn about the informal channels of communication that support the creation of authentic relations with peers, colleagues, family and the community. Instruction in both formal and informal communication processes combine to assist students to become successful members of the workplace and the communities in which they live. Students will be expected to exhibit professionalism in a diverse and inclusive classroom environment.

IN1093 Computer Applications for Business and Technology
This course provides a brief review of MS Word and MS PowerPoint. More features of both these applications will be explored further. MS Excel is examined thoroughly along with an introduction to the use of MS Project as a project planning and management tool.

MA1024 Business Math (BCA101)
In this course, students will begin with a review of basic arithmetic and algebraic manipulations, continuing with the following topics: ratios and proportions, percentages and the percentage formula, discounts, mark-ups and mark-downs, payroll scenarios, break-even analysis, and simple interest.

OF1023 Office Procedures I
This course will equip the student to find meaningful employment in the administrative field. Administrative Professionals have more responsibilities in today’s work environment. Some of the topics covered in this course include: professionalism, telecommunications, records maintenance, technology and soft skills. In-class simulations and discussions provide students with the opportunity to problem solve and participate in group activities.

OF1005 Word Processing and Keyboarding I
This course provides applications that reinforce word processing skills. It focuses on techniques to enable students to produce a wide variety of documents using Microsoft Word 2013 using Windows 7. Keyboarding speed and accuracy will be reinforced during document preparation.

Semester 2

BU1363 Introduction to Business Concepts (BCG101)
In this course, students will be introduced to business in Canada, focusing on introductory topics for those interested in employment in a business management role. Topics of study will include the relationships between the areas of finance, human resources, marketing, and operations within an organization, business ethics and social responsibility, management concepts and practices, and an exploration of the entrepreneurial spirit. The course brings in numerous examples of practical applications with the involvement of the learners from real-life situations and personal experiences to analyze the concepts discussed. There is also key emphasis on developing awareness towards corporate social responsibility and the relation between ethical practices and management.

BU1103 Introduction to Human Resources (BCH101)
In this course, students will learn how proper recruitment/selection strategies, and training and development methods, maintain an organization’s competitive advantage. The integral role of job design and analysis in affecting compensation management and performance appraisal decisions will be examined. Students will investigate a variety of employment and health and safety laws as they relate to managing a diverse workforce. In addition, the fundamental principles of the union-management framework will be explored.

CM2903 Communications II – Model A
Communications 2 is a one-semester course which applies the oral and written communication tools learned in the first semester to specific business/technical applications as required by industry today. The student will enhance writing skills acquired in COMM1 and learn to produce effective documents including business letters, memoranda, emails, employment documents as well as reports and problem-solving documents as applicable to their field of study. The course presents the theory and practice necessary for the planning and presentation of short informal and formal reports and introduces the dynamics of planning and participating in meeting situations. Students will participate in mock interviews (as applicable), so that they are prepared to sell themselves as they transition into the competitive employment market. Students will continue to review grammatical structures and apply editing strategies to business/technical documents through both in-class activities and the usage of the customized online grammar tool. As with COMM1, the content will be inclusive and reflect the diverse workplace that students will find themselves in in the future.

IN2013 Computer Applications II
This course reinforces the fundamentals of the prerequisite Computer Applications course while providing further exploration of the Microsoft Office 2013 suite of applications. Students will obtain a more in-depth understanding of the Microsoft Word, Excel, & PowerPoint applications.

IN2113 Introduction to Computerized Bookkeeping
During this course, students will gain an understanding of computerized accounting concepts using Simply Accounting for Windows. Students will complete applications using the general module, inventory module, accounts payable module, accounts receivable module, and payroll module. Theory topics include adjustments and the worksheet, closing entries, trial balances, subsidiary ledgers, special journals, and accounts receivable ledgers.

OF2005 Word Processing and Keyboarding II
In this course, advanced features in Microsoft Word will be examined. A variety of documents incorporating Word features will be produced. The students will develop timesaving skills and techniques when completing applications. Keyboarding speed and accuracy will be reinforced during document preparation, practice sessions, and timed drills.

OF2003 Administrative Procedures
This course analyzes the tasks and responsibilities of an administrative assistant in an electronic office environment. As an Administrative Professional you will be “information central”, a valued member of a team in a business or organization where everyone will depend on you to keep the office organized and running efficiently. This course reviews duties and responsibilities of the Administrative Professional including: telecommunication tools, managing appointments, planning meetings, and arranging travel.

EL1103 General Education Elective I

OF2044 Placement
This is a two week unpaid work placement with an employer. This placement provides valuable work experience for students.