On this page:
Overview
Ready to launch a fast-paced office career? The one-year Office Professional certificate program at SAIT is your key.
Participating in small-sized classes, you'll learn how to communicate effectively, handle common office tasks, and use technology to organize and secure business information. Plus, you will collaborate with your team to tackle a range of business duties.
You'll also learn how to:
- work well with others and behave professionally
- provide good service to clients or customers
- handle, store, and secure information
- master the art of creating reports that businesses use
- keep up with new technology and learn how to use it at work.
Additionally, you can earn Microsoft certifications to demonstrate your skills with Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneNote, Teams, Excel, and OneDrive.
As a graduate, you will be ready for entry-level jobs in office and administration, from finance to oil and gas. You can work in business administration jobs, like administrative assistant, office assistant, office administrator, mail or message distribution clerk, and more. Or you can continue your education, apply for SAIT's Administrative Information Management program, and earn your diploma with one additional year of study.
Office administrators tend to be objective, methodical, and innovative.
You need:
- initiative and a professional attitude
- discretion
- strong communication skills
- time management and organizational skills
- the ability to work independently or as part of a team
- computer keyboarding skills
- conflict resolution skills
- problem-solving skills.
You should enjoy working with people, using computers, and compiling and organizing information.
Graduates of this program can bridge into the second year of SAIT's Administrative Information Management program and earn their diploma with an additional year of study.
You can write up to four Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams in this program:
- Word 2019 & 365 Specialist
- Excel 2019 & 365 Specialist
- PowerPoint 2019 & 365 Specialist
- Outlook 2019 & 365 Specialist
You can earn additional certifications in the second year of the Administrative Information Management diploma.
After successfully completing this program, you'll receive a SAIT Office Professional certificate.
Careers and opportunities
Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni.
83% graduate employment rate
Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 12100, 12111, 12112, 13100, 13110, 13111, 14100, 14101, 14111, 14301, 12010.
Career planning support
Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.
You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.
Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.
Courses
The Office Professional certificate requires 30 credits (10 courses) to complete.
The program spans one year, with two semesters.
The Office Professional certificate requires 30 credits (10 courses) to complete.
The program spans one year, with two semesters.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
An introductory math course with applications in algebra, geometry, and finance. Amongst the applications will be measurements and measurement conversions, break-even analysis, pricing, and basic financial calculations. |
3 |
|
Tablets, smartphones, social media and other creative methods of accessing and controlling information are prevalent in today's business world. You will apply social media tools in a business environment to increase productivity and contribute to the global, mobile and social environment, and gain experience using software that enables superior collaboration through cloud computing and virtualization. |
3 |
|
This software course will introduce you to essential concepts necessary for success in the business world. This will include e-mail, file management, keyboarding skill development, word processing, spreadsheet applications, presentations, and database applications. |
3 |
|
Skilled office professionals must manipulate information on a daily basis using Microsoft Word. Explore the power of this software when used to its full potential and find out how it can increase productivity in the workplace. Master high-quality and consistently formatted documents that include creative elements. This course contributes to certification as a Microsoft Office Specialist. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Business depends on accurate and organized information received in a timely manner. Knowing how to effectively use spreadsheets to keep information organized is essential to your career in the business world. You will study various techniques to organize, calculate, graph and present data in a professional manner. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Presentation skills will be vital to your success and advancement in the business world. You will gain experience with the advanced features of major presentation software programs by developing your own presentation content and customizing the visual appearance of your presentations. You will also create and deliver a variety of speaker-led presentations and self-running presentations to a face-to-face audience. |
3 |
|
Communication and Presentation Skills provides you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to compose business documents and give engaging, formal presentations. You will learn how to effectively communicate in a professional environment and consider different aspects of spoken, written and nonverbal communication (e.g., channel, content, organization, style, tone, format and mechanics) in order to share clear and concise messages with your audience. You will be required to work in both individual and collaborative settings. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
This course introduces learners to the strategies and skills required for effective professional communications: reports, group work, presentations, and team building in professional settings. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Examine foundational business concepts as they relate to your profession. You will explore and apply topics such as the Canadian business system, ethics, social responsibility, the world marketplace, marketing, volunteering, and the art of networking. |
3 |
|
Performing basic administrative skills productively in fast-paced office environments can be challenging for even the most seasoned administrative professionals. Explore the theory behind common office procedures, to ensure you are ready to deliver the right solution at the right time. Apply the theory to business scenarios that build confidence and competence for every aspect of today's office environment including everything from customer service to records management. |
3 |
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.
To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Explore your options!
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit.
You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.
Admission requirements
Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 50% in Math 10C or Math 20-3, and
- at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 or English Language Arts 30-2.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside of Alberta.
All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Academic Upgrading
Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Transfer agreements
At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.
We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.
Submit a transfer credit application
There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.
Transfer options for graduates
Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.
🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).
If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.
Available intakes
Fall 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
-
-
Application deadline: June 30, 2025
-
Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following estimated costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
Domestic students
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date. Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program advisor directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.
Financial aid
Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Admission process
Ready to apply?
Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications.
We recommend you add the business.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Begin your application
Apply now using the online application portal.
Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants.
Information sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact us
School of Business Advising
-
Phone - 403.284.8485
International Student Advising
-
Phone - 403.284.8852
-
Email - international@sait.ca
Other programs you may be interested in
- Certification type
-
Certificate
- Availability
-
International Students Accepted Not PGWP eligible
Follow your entrepreneurial aspirations and gain skills to become a successful entrepreneur working for yourself or in businesses with an entrepreneurial mindset.
- Program length:
- 1 year
- Location:
- In person (Main Campus) or Online
- Faculty:
- School of Business
- Certification type
-
Diploma
- Availability
-
International Students Accepted Not PGWP eligible
Study to become a human resource management specialist by developing skills in the recruitment process, the role of employee training and development, employment law, and HR information management systems.
- Program length:
- 2 years
- Location:
- In person (Main Campus) or Online
- Faculty:
- School of Business
- Certification type
-
Diploma
- Availability
-
International Students Accepted Not PGWP eligible
Earn the preferred credential for administrative professionals. Learn to manage solutions to business needs through technology, meetings, office procedures and more.
- Program length:
- 2 years
- Location:
- In person (Main Campus)
- Faculty:
- School of Business
- Certification type
-
Certificate
- Availability
-
Not available to International Students
This program will enable you to learn the current industry standards and the best practices of information and records management from industry professionals.
- Program length:
- 30 weeks
- Location:
- Online
- Faculty:
- School of Business
Subscribe for updates
Your journey starts here! Sign up to get important updates on:
- Business and technology Programs
- Application information
- Relevant news and events
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.