The Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate program provides students with the education they need to earn their Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP®) designation. The CAP® designation is an industry recognized professional certification for the office and administrative profession, which encompasses all areas of today’s office support roles and responsibilities.

By taking the Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate, you will develop the skill set to work as an office and administrative professional, while earning the required knowledge to take your CAP® exam and earn your CAP® designation.

The StrongerBC future skills grant (FSG) is here to help you pursue the future you want. The grant will cover up to $3500.00 of eligible costs for your short term training at public universities and colleges in BC. 

This program is eligible for FSG funding.  

StrongerBC future skills grant

The Administrative Assistant Professional Certificate program consists of eight modules that make up 19 live zoom sessions that are completed over the course of four months. 

Delivery mode: Virtual live

Students who successfully complete the certificate program with UNBC Continuing Studies will be prepared to sit for the CAP® exam through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) when all the requirements are met. To learn more about the CAP® exam, visit their website.

International Association of Administrative Professionals

Course descriptions are below (course order based on instructor availability). 

Introduction to Computing Systems in the Workplace

Three 4-hour sessions

This program is designed for individuals who wish to work as an administrative assistant. It provides foundational knowledge of computer systems and training in the most popular office productivity tools in the Microsoft® Office Suite. This includes an introduction to Word®, Excel®, PowerPoint® and Outlook®.

Business Communications

Three 4-hour sessions

This course provides basic skills in written and oral business communication. It also covers how to effectively organize and deliver written and orally presented business reports. Topics covered in this course include: communication skills, identify your personal communication style, understand individual differences and similarities, improve business-writing process including emails, memos, letters, and other daily writing.

Please note students will be registered to take the Personality Dimension Assessment prior to this module.

Time Management

One 4-hour session

Students will learn how to establish priorities and self-evaluate their own time usage. Topics include how to say no (nicely), avoiding distraction and managing overload.

Travel Planning

One 4-hour session

This workshop will discuss the fundamentals of managing travel for others. Topics include laying out the itinerary, working with a travel agency, and preparing the traveller before, during, and after a trip.

Minute Taking and Meeting Planning

Two 4-hour sessions

This course covers fundamental aspects of managing a meeting right from the planning stage through to follow-up. Participants will be introduced to the responsibility of the office minute taker, covering all the aspects of what to expect before, during and after the meeting. Participants also learn about the different types of meetings and ways to take down minutes.

Record Management Fundamentals

Three 4-hour sessions

This course teaches participants foundational best practices in records management including developing naming conventions, file classification plans, records retention schedules and standard operating procedures to manage the access, storage and disposal of records. Developing these practices reduces operating costs for an organization by making the desired information easy to access, use and account for allowing organizations to focus on achieving mandates and visions rather than being encumbered by inconsistent or undefined process.

Human Resources Management Fundamentals

Three 4-hour sessions

This is an introduction includes general knowledge about HR functions in an organization, recruitment and selection, job descriptions, performance appraisal, training and development, occupational health and safety. The course places particular emphasis on the practical application of HR policies and procedures, on employees' relationship to management and management’s responsibilities to employees.

Financial Accounting Basics

Three 4-hour sessions

This course provides learners with introductory accounting knowledge and an understanding of financial statements. Participants are introduced to basic accounting principles, accounting concepts, and accounting terminologies, such as revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, income statements, balance sheets, and statement of cash flows. In addition, students learn about accounting debits and credits through the analysis of record transactions.