Overview
The Office Administrator with Technology (OAT) Program is a short and practical program to prepare you to immediately join the workforce. Deepen your knowledge of the most popular computer applications, so you can work in any number of office environments, or virtually. Combining a range of skills and real-world experience, OAT will help you to confidently launch or transform your career.
Delivery mode: Online
- This program will be delivered online.
The program consists of three months of online instruction, Monday to Friday, from 9:00 until 4:00, followed by a two-month full-time work term. It combines technical and professional courses with hands-on learning. Formal classroom instruction is complemented by realistic business projects.
In addition to core technical training, you will also gain skills in writing a competitive resume and LinkedIn profile that highlights your new office productivity skills, participate in mock interviews as well as in other classes that foster teamwork and enhanced communications for your classroom and in future work.
There will be no extended breaks except for statutory holidays.
| Office Administrator with Technology | |
|---|---|
| BCIT Credential: |
Certificate |
| Program Location: | Online |
| Program Length: | 5 months, Full-time |
| Program Start / End | October 11, 2022 to March 31, 2023 |
| Total Tuition/Cost: | Learn about Tuition & Fees |
| Entry Requirements: | View Requirements |
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
This program is open to applications:
- October 1st* for the April intake (in-person delivery only)
- April 1st* for the October intake (online delivery only)
*or next business day
Applications are considered for a specific intake.
Entrance requirements
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
- Pre-entry Assessment [PDF]: Meet with the Program Coordinator or attend an Office Administrator with Technology (OAT) Info Session to have your pre-entry assessment approved.
A completed and approved pre-entry assessment form must be uploaded to complete your application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (50%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (50%) from a recognized institution
What if I don’t meet these English requirements?
International applicants
The full-time on-campus delivery option is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program. A work/coop permit is also required for the in-person delivery.
The full-time distance/online delivery option is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit. International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
April (in-person) and October (online) each year.
Please see the program overview for precise dates.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Full-Time Tuition & Fees pages for tuition fee amounts:
Books & supplies
Tuition fees include all textbooks, course/lab materials and all prepaid vendor exam vouchers.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Refund policy
- If notice is submitted in writing and received by the Program Coordinator at least 12 working days prior to the first day of classes, all tuition fees paid (less the $1,500.00 deposit) will be refunded to the student.
- If notice is submitted in writing and received by the Program Coordinator by 4:00 pm on the second day of class, all fees paid (less the $1,500.00 deposit and $1,500.00 penalty fee) will be refunded to the student.
- There will be no refund of fees issued after the second day of class.
- Withdrawal for medical reasons: possible partial refund with doctor's medical note.
Cancellation Policy
This program is subject to limited and minimum enrolment. Lack of sufficient enrolment will result in BCIT cancelling specific intakes of the program and will entitle accepted students of that intake to a full refund of all fees paid.
Courses
Class hours
9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday.
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| OATP 1000 | Communication Skills | 5.0 | |
| OATP 1200 | Business Development | 6.0 | |
| OATP 2000 | Information Technology | 24.0 | |
| OATP 3000 | Work Place Education | 11.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 46.5 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Upon completion of the program, you will be able to:
- Use Microsoft Word to create professional documents
- Create budgets and analyze data with Microsoft Excel
- Design and deliver a presentation with Microsoft PowerPoint
- Use Microsoft Outlook to manage schedules, contacts, and email
- Design and develop a small database with Microsoft Access
- Complete basic bookkeeping tasks with Sage 50
- Prepare and understand financial reports
- Use HTML5, CSS3, and WordPress to build and manage a website
- Enhance photos and create graphics with Adobe Photoshop
In addition, you will challenge two Microsoft Office Specialist exams and earn two-valued industry certifications:
- Microsoft Word 2019
- Microsoft Excel 2019
Program length
Three months, full-time, followed by two months of practical work experience.
Program location
October intake
The October intake will take place online.
April intake
Downtown Campus
555 Seymour Street
Vancouver, BC
Graduating & Jobs
Students are equipped with practical skills that are applicable to a variety of fields. Depending on previous academic and work experience, career paths for graduates may include but are not limited to:
- Executive Assistant
- Office Manager
- Administrative Assistant
- Coordinator
- Administrative Support
- Administrator / Receptionist
Did you know that:
- 94% of grads were very satisfied or satisfied with their education
- 93% of grads found their OAT Certificate useful in getting their job
- 100% of grads were ready to collaborate in groups at work
- 92% of grads were ready to keep up with the pace of change in tech by learning new skills on their own
Career services
Your ultimate goal is to find an OAT-related job once you graduate. We support you with:
- Resume writing skills
- LinkedIn profile tips
- Mock technical interview training
- Access to BCIT Student Association (BCITSA) Career Specialists
- BCITSA Industry Days job fairs
- Specialized workshops, employer showcases, and individual support and guidance and more. Check out BCITSA’s services.
What grads say about OAT:
- “I was hired instantaneously after finishing the program.” – Karen Galang, Office Administrative Assistant, New Point Property Management
- “Within a month of completing the practicum, I was offered and accepted my first full-time office position, which I still hold.” – Laura Schubert, BC Court Registry Agent
- “I would highly recommend this course to anyone seeking a rewarding career with abundant opportunities.” – Preeti Subramanian, Talent Acquisition Coordinator, Translink
- “OAT prepared me for the future, not only with the academics I learned, but it has given me the confidence I need to succeed in my new life in Canada.” – Veronica Jacobsohn, HR Analyst, Providence Health Care
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2019-2021 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2018-2020 graduates and for Degree 2016-2018 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
| Instructors | Program Coordinator |
|---|---|
| Lorraine Fentie Program Head 604.412.7710 Lorraine_Fentie@bcit.ca |
Bal Lidhar Program Coordinator 604.412.7650 Bal_Lidhar@bcit.ca |
| Administration |
|---|
| TTP Department Administration 604.412.7650 tpp@bcit.ca |
Advisory committee
BCIT is well-respected by employers for its ties to industry. In Computing, this connection is formalized through a Program Advisory Committee (PAC) comprised of experts in a range of roles from a cross-section of companies. While PAC membership varies, representatives typically come from tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, government and public infrastructure organizations, software companies, gaming and entertainment, and more.
Contact Us
| For admission and program inquiries: | Mailing address: |
|---|---|
| Phone: 604.412.7650 Email: tpp@bcit.ca |
TTP Programs BCIT Downtown Campus 320 – 555 Seymour Street Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 3H6 |
Questions or comments?
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