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2023-2024 Academic Calendar

Applied Business Technology (Administrative Assistant) Certificate


Location(s): ​Dawson Creek, ​Fort St. John, and Online

The Applied Business Technology Administrative Assistant Certificate prepares students to work in business, government, and industry offices. This program teaches current administrative skills in word processing, keyboarding, spreadsheets, automated accounting, bookkeeping, and the utilization of up-to-date Microsoft Office software. The program includes business communications and office procedures courses which enable students to develop the soft skills necessary for success in today’s offices. The program has a two-week practicum placement to give students the opportunity to apply their new skills in an office environment. 

The campus-based intakes are scheduled such that a student is full-time in class during business hours.

The online intakes offer a slower-paced version of the program, enabling students to balance studies with other responsibilities.

Career Options

Graduates will be qualified to perform a variety of roles in business settings in the public and private sectors, including:

  • Accounts Payable/Receivable Clerk
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Computerized Bookkeeping Assistant
  • Data-Entry Clerk
  • Financial Office Assistant
  • Office Assistant
  • Payroll Assistant
  • Receptionist / Switchboard Clerk

Intakes


LocationStartingType
Dawson CreekSeptemberCohort(opens in a new tab) 
Fort St JohnSeptemberCohort(opens in a new tab) 
OnlineSeptemberCohort(opens in a new tab)Part-Time(opens in a new tab) 

Length


54 credits (850 hours).

The in-person cohort is approximately 10 months long.

The online cohort is approximately 16 months long.  Part-time studies will take longer.

Estimated Program Fees


Program fee type: Vocational/Career Technical

Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.

Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.

Domestic Fees

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
Total
Year 1$ 2,907.00$ 156.26$ 374.85$ 3,438.11

International Fees

 TuitionStudent FeesInstruction-related
Fees (includes GST)
International
Medical Insurance
Total
Year 1$ 10,446.50$ 156.26$ 374.85$ 828.00$ 11,805.61

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Admission Requirements


English Requirements

Applicants whose first language is English
​Complete one of the following:

  • English Language Arts 11
  • ENGL 040(opens in a new tab) 
  • Canadian Adult Achievement Test (Vocabulary, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Language) with a minimum score of 11.9 on each section

Applicants whose first language is not English

Complete one of the following:

  • IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0.

Applicants who have graduated from a Philippine post-secondary institution

Complete one of the following:

  • Completion of a four-year Bachelor’s Degree that must include at least one baccalaureate-level English course in which a minimum grade of ‘C’ was obtained
  • IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0.

Math Requirements

Complete one of the following:

  • Math 10 or higher or equivalent
  • MATH 030(opens in a new tab) or higher or equivalent
  • Canadian Adult Achievement Test (Number Operations) with a minimum score of 10.9

Note

Applicants should have a basic familiarity with computers and a minimum typing speed of 15 wpm to help ensure that they meet the 45 wpm requirement of the program upon completion.

Important Notes


  1. This program is eligible for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC(opens in a new tab) to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.  Students enrolled in the slower-paced 16-month online version of this program are not eligible for government student loans.

Program Requirements


Residency Requirement25% of courses must be completed at Northern Lights College
Minimum Grade Requirements70% minimum in all courses

Credential


Certificate in Applied Business Technology (Administrative Assistant)