Office Management

  • Program Title: Office Management
    Credential: Diploma
    Delivery: Online
    Program Length: 3 Semesters (One year)
    Program Availability: Full time or Part time
    Offered: This program is available starting every Monday.

    Program Description


    This 52-week Diploma Program prepares students for positions as supervisors, office managers, and administrative or executive assistants. Students participate in online discussion groups, activities, projects, and Internet research. They are encouraged to draw on their own experiences to help relate theory to practical work situations.

    During the program, students learn a range of invaluable skills. They develop confidence in organizational management, leadership and supervision. They practice written and oral business communication, and learn how to prepare and deliver a variety of creative, powerful presentations. They also learn how to effectively plan a business event. Students are introduced to human resource management, and cover topics such as human rights legislation, recruitment, training, and performance appraisals. They also learn interpersonal communication, negotiating skills, and conflict resolution.

    Students are provided with an introduction to office systems and essential computer skills. Topics such as designing office systems, social and ethical issues involving computers, privacy and security, and maintaining effective records management are explored.

    Students have a total of fifty-two (52) weeks to complete their program requirements, starting from the date of their first course.

    Learning Outcomes


    1. Conduct oneself professionally and adhere to relevant legislation, standards and codes of ethics.
    2. Schedule and coordinate tasks, within specific deadlines and according to set priorities.
    3. Receive, process and distribute communications in the workplace to assist the flow of information.
    4. Operate and provide support related to the use of office equipment and technologies.
    5. Locate, file and retrieve documents and records from a variety of electronic and paper sources to support daily office operations.
    6. Record basic financial information using established document formats, procedures and accounting software.
    7. Produce routine business documents using available technologies and established standards and formats.
    8. Use interpersonal and client service skills to respond to diversity and to support the vision and mission of the organization.
    9. Compile resources as well as services to prepare summary reports.
    10. Select and use information technologies to support communication with internal and external stakeholders.
    11. Assist in the organization and coordination of meetings and travel arrangements.

    Your Career


    The Office Manager is responsible organizing and coordinating office operations and procedures in order to ensure organizational effectiveness and efficiency. The Office Manager reports to the Senior Administrative Officer and is responsible for providing office management services to the First Nations Office. This includes maintaining office services and efficiency, supervising office staff and maintaining office records.

  • Admission Requirements


    College Eligibility

    • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent; OR
    • Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) Certificate; OR
    • General Educational Development (GED); OR
    • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high school diploma at the start of the program).

    Call the Admissions Office at 1 (800) 267-2577 for more details. Academic prerequisites for this program may be obtained free of charge through Academic Upgrading.

    Application Process
    Program intake – Apply to this program by visiting our Registration page. If you are entering into this program as a mature student please attach your resume when submitting your registration information online.

    Field Placement
    NETC field placement agencies may require a police record check for criminal offences, a vulnerable sector check and/or a current acceptable record of immunization. Students will be required to provide this documentation directly to their field placement prior to the start of the placement and at their own expense. Students who cannot meet these requirements may have limited field placement opportunities.

  • Courses


    Semester 1
    Basic Study Skills
    Office Environment and Structure
    Business Etiquette
    Team Building
    Self-Management
    Workplace Ethics

    Semester 2
    Leadership Development
    Customer Service
    Written Communication
    Verbal Communication and Presentations
    Global Communications Technologies
    Records Management

    Semester 3
    Project Management
    Electronic Records Management
    Finance and Investment Strategies
    Event Planning
    Travel Arrangements
    Workplace Mail and Copying
    Job Search Skills and Career Advancement

    Every attempt is made to ensure the accuracy of information provided on our website. The College reserves the right to modify any course, program, curriculum, fee, timetable, or campus location at any time.

    Register for this course.

  • Course Descriptions


    Semester 1
    Basic Study Skills
    This course will enable students to assess their current study skills and plan for improvement. Students will practice time-management techniques for successful studying. Students will learn to develop powerful reading skills and practice memory techniques to enhance ability to learn and improve test performance. This course will also help students to develop specific study skills for mathematics and related subjects and implement an action plan to improve them.

    Office Environment and Structure
    This course introduces students to the dynamic workplace and the impact of economic globalization, changing technology, and workplace diversity on the office manager. Job outlook, job titles, and employment by specialty area are included. Workplace organization including the types of business organizations, organizational structure, and organizational culture is presented. Qualifications of an effective office manager and qualities necessary for success are examined.

    Business Etiquette
    This course describes the characteristics associated with being a professional. First impressions, a positive attitude, and a strong work ethic are covered. Creating an effective work environment, participating in professional organizations, and networking are also examined. Presenting an effective professional appearance is discussed. The course also covers several components of business etiquette, including general courtesy and manners, dining and restaurant etiquette, international customs and etiquette, introductions, and telephone etiquette.

    Team Building
    This course introduces teams and teamwork. It discusses the basic benefits of teams from an organizational viewpoint as well as for employees. Six fundamental types of teams are defined and explained. Methods of interacting and communicating successfully with diverse people are explored. Tasks of team leaders are outlined, and methods for leading a team are examined. The course describes responsibilities of team members and describes actions and attitudes for effectiveness in this role. Fundamental teamwork techniques are presented. The course closes with a discussion of team communication, including formal and informal communication channels and application of interpersonal skills to team environments.

    Self-Management
    This course discusses the value of managing yourself by setting long‐term and short‐term goals, aligning and adjusting your goals as needed, and staying motivated to achieve goals. It emphasizes the importance of taking care of yourself by maintaining your physical health and energy, managing relationships, and balancing work and home. Understanding types of stress and tips for preventing and coping with stress are also discussed. The course concludes with a discussion of strategies for managing your workspace, conducting a time audit, planning and organizing assignments, and time management.

    Workplace Ethics
    This course focuses on how to work ethically as an office manager. The first section introduces business ethics and basic ethical concepts and terms. The second section describes seven characteristics of ethical organizations that students can use to assess potential employers. Practical tools for making ethical decisions follow, including the idea of constructing an ethical road map and a process for ethical decision making. The course closes with a discussion of characteristics of ethical office managers, such as confidentiality, honesty, and loyalty.

    Semester 2
    Leadership Development
    This course opens by defining leadership and distinguishing it from management. It then provides three cases of effective business and government leaders. The second section briefly introduces four prominent leadership theories. The third describes common leadership styles; the fourth, important leadership traits. The course concludes with a set of guidelines for being an effective leader.

    Customer Service
    This course discusses the importance of an organization’s commitment to customer service. It examines customer service skills and strategies. Advice on handling difficult customer service situations is also presented.

    Written Communication
    This course discusses preparing and developing effective communication. The course describes how the use of a writing process assists in the creation of effective messages. Appropriate guidelines for the preparation of e‐mail, letters, memos, and reports are included.

    Verbal Communication and Presentations
    This course describes effective verbal communication. The first part of the course focuses on developing the ability to listen carefully to others, the skills to carry on an effective conversation, an awareness of the import of nonverbal communication for oneself and others, and the ability to speak articulately. The second part thoroughly covers essential telephone skills such as answering appropriately, screening calls, managing calls on hold, transferring calls, and speaking effectively when placing calls and leaving messages. The last part of the course is devoted to key aspects of business presentations: planning, researching, and writing them; preparing visuals; practicing and preparing to present; and delivery.

    Global Communications Technologies
    This course provides an overview of telecommunication technologies students are likely to use or encounter in the workplace, describing them and explaining ways administrative professionals are likely to use them. Topics include mobile devices such as intelligent mobile hotspots and mobile apps, business and professional uses of social networking sites, and cloud computing. The course then examines the topics digital security threats and identity theft. It closes with a brief discussion of etiquette for mobile phones, instant messaging, and e‐mail.

    Records Management
    This course discusses methods of managing paper records. It explains the value of records to the organization and he necessity for records to be findable, confidential, and safe. The course describes equipment and supplies used in filing and procedures to help ensure a record is filed properly. The course covers alphabetic indexing rules in detail; these rules are compatible with those of ARMA International, on which most organizational systems are based. The course concludes with a description of four commonly used records storage systems: alphabetic, subject, numeric, and geographic.

    Semester 3
    Project Management
    This course provides students with baseline knowledge of the tools and techniques required to manage projects. This course gives students a comprehensive foundation in project management and organizational management that applies to not-for-profit, for-profit and government organizations of all sizes.

    Electronic Records Management
    This course discusses the important topic of properly managing electronic and microfilm records. An electronic record is defined as a record stored on electronic storage media that can be accessed or changed. The course provides guidance for organizing files on the computer and a detailed introduction to databases. It outlines a system for managing image files. The course closes with a discussion of records retention, transfer, and disposal.

    Personal Finance and Investment Strategies
    This course introduces several basic topics in personal finance, beginning with developing a financial plan and making a budget. It covers essentials of checking and savings accounts. Next, the course moves to the concept of investing versus saving. It details the main types of retirement plans and gives an overview of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. Payroll deductions are covered briefly. The following section discusses credit, credit cards, and managing credit. The course closes by introducing three types of financial statements that administrative professionals frequently need to prepare: a balance sheet, an income statement, and a cash flow statement.

    Meeting and Event Planning
    This course lists the qualities of effective meetings and appropriate reasons for calling a meeting. It describes common types of workplace meetings and discusses the roles and responsibilities of the executive, leader, administrative professional, and participants in making a meeting successful. The course closes with a brief section on conferences and conventions and the administrative professional’s responsibilities before, during, and after these events.

    Travel Arrangements
    This course covers various arrangements administrative professionals may need to make for executives traveling domestically or internationally, including air travel; ground, car, and rail travel; and hotels. It outlines special concerns for international trips, such as cultural differences, passports and visas, health documents and precautions, and foreign currency. The course discusses typical tasks such as scheduling appointments and meetings, preparing and organizing materials, and determining procedures to follow in the executive’s absence. It explains how to create an itinerary and an expense report.

    Postal and Shipping Services
    This course discusses an important responsibility of the administrative professional, handling mail. It provides detailed guidance on preparing and sending mail as well as handling incoming mail, including sorting, reviewing, and annotating. The chapter describes classes of Mail and services. The second part of the course provides information about office copiers, shredders, and fax machines, which are used in working with mail as well as for other functions.

    Job Search Skills and Career Advancement
    This course prepares students to seek and obtain a job as an administrative professional. After assessing their skills, abilities, and interests, students learn about making a job search plan and resources for finding jobs, including strategies for a difficult economy. The course describes how to prepare three types of resumes, as well as letters of application and follow‐up letters. It emphasizes the usefulness of an online portfolio or personal website to showcase their capabilities. Much of the course is devoted to the interview process, particularly how to be properly and thoroughly prepared. The course closes with a brief section on starting strong in a new job and handling job changes.

  • Fees & Expenses


    Fees Apply for this Academic Year.

    • Registration: $100.00
    • Textbooks: $1,025.00
    • Shipping: $61.00
    • Tuition: $4,414.00

    Total Tuition & Fees: $5,600.00

    • Enroll Online Or By Mail / Fax.

      For additional information, send an e-mail or call us toll free: 800--267-2577

      Download registration form here.

      Please Download and Save the DE Enrollment and Procedure Guide and Contract .PDF to your desktop.

      Mail or fax your completed form to:
      Native Education & Training College of Business, Healthcare, Human Service & Technology

      101-147 McIntyre St. W
      North Bay, ON P1B 2Y5
      Fax: (705) 497-7839

      Sign Up Online:

      Personal Info:

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      Program Information:


      CertificateDiploma

      Full TimePart Time


      First Nation Ed. AuthMetisAboriginal HRDCFirst NationOther



      Academic Background:

      OSSDGEDGASOntario Basic Skills

      Post-Secondary Education: