Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics

Executive Assistant Diploma

The Executive Assistant Diploma prepares office administration students to serve in more senior positions as office managers and assistants to senior executives in both industry and government. After completing the TRU Administrative Assistant Certificate in Year 1 or an equivalent office administration program from another institution, students take additional courses in accounting, communications, marketing, law, and management in Year 2.

With the Executive Assistant Diploma, graduates will be well-prepared to write the accreditation exams for the Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) or Organizational Management (OM) designation programs.

If you are highly motivated, like working with people, are organized, and have excellent communication skills, the Executive Assistant Diploma program could provide you with the added skills you need to “move up” in your organization.

Learning objectives

Upon completion of this program, students are able to:

  1. Prepare effective business documents including memorandums and short reports.
  2. Describe the environment that businesses operate in, the functions of management, and the role of different management disciplines.
  3. Maintain the financial records of a small business.
  4. Utilize spreadsheet and other application software in day-to-day work activities.
  5. Explain how effective management information systems can contribute to an organization’s success.
  6. Discuss how human and interpersonal behaviour theory can be applied to maximize organizational efficiency.
  7. Collect and analyze information to assist management in making more effective operational decisions.
  8. Develop a basic marketing plan for a new product or service based on a strong understanding of the 4Ps of place, price, place and promotion.
  9. Implement effective human resource practices in an office environment.
  10. Apply the basic principles of contract, tort, employment and other areas of business law to decision making.

Admission requirements

  • B.C. Grade 12 or mature student status
  • Foundations Math 12 or Pre-Calculus Math 12 with a minimum C+ or equivalent
  • English 12/English 12 First Peoples with a minimum of 73 percent or equivalent
  • Completion of the TRU Administrative Assistant Certificate or equivalent one-year certificate program

Program content: second year

Fall semester
ENGL 1100
Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)

ENGL 1100 Introduction to University Writing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students explore the practices of reading and writing in scholarly contexts by investigating a chosen topic or issue. Students read, critically analyze, and synthesize information and ideas found in appropriate secondary sources and coming from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds. They also develop their abilities to communicate knowledge by composing in the genres and sub-genres of scholarly writing, including the incorporation of research and documentation while using a clear, persuasive, grammatically-correct style.
Prerequisite: English Studies 12 /English First Peoples 12 with a minimum 73% or equivalent
Note: students cannot receive credit for both ENGL 1100 and ENGL 1101
For more information, search for this course here.

MNGT 1710
Introduction to Business (3,0,0)

MNGT 1710 Introduction to Business (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of many business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resource management, supply chain management, and entrepreneurship. Students will engage with community business experts for example guest speakers, who will share their business experience dealing with a wide range of issues. Students will simulate, adapt, and respond to a variety of business challenges, expanding their knowledge of business. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to set goals, reflect on their learning and plan for their futures. Topics include multiple perspectives on business, management functions, forms of business ownership, the importance of entrepreneurship, and Indigenous business.
Prerequisite: English Studies 12/English First Peoples 12 with a minimum of 73% or equivalent; or ENGL 0600 with minimum C+; or completion of ESAL 0570 and ESAL 0580 with a C+.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for more than one of MNGT 1711, MNGT 1701 or MNGT 1710
For more information, search for this course here.

ORGB 2810
Organizational Behaviour (3,0,0)

ORGB 2810 Organizational Behaviour (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine the behavior of individuals and how they interact with each other in different workplace organizations. Topics include defining organizational behavior; perception, personality and emotions; values, attitudes and their effects in the workplace; motivating self and others; working in teams; communication, conflict and negotiation; power and politics; leadership; decision making, creativity and ethics; and organizational culture and change.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1100
Note: Students will receive credit for only one of ORGB 2810, ORGB 2811, BBUS 2720, BBUS 2721 or TMGT 1160.
For more information, search for this course here.

ACCT 2210
Financial Accounting (3,0,0)

ACCT 2210 Financial Accounting (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students develop the skills necessary to prepare and analyze the financial statements of a public corporation. Topics include the conceptual framework; accounting standards; the accounting cycle; financial statements; internal control, cash and bank reconciliations; short-term investments and receivables; inventory; long-term assets including intangibles; liabilities including bonds payable; shareholders' equity, dividends, and share repurchases; comprehensive income and the statement of shareholders' equity; statement of cash flows; and financial statement analysis.
Prerequisite: English Studies 12/ English First Peoples 12 with a minimum of 73% or equivalent
Note: Students cannot receive credit for more than one of ACCT 1000, ACCT 1030, ACCT 1210/1220, ACCT 1211/1221, ACCT 2211, BBUS 2210 or BBUS 2211
For more information, search for this course here.

MIST 2610
Management Information Systems (3,0,0)

MIST 2610 Management Information Systems (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students acquire the knowledge and skills to effectively utilize information systems and technology in support of organizational strategy. Topics include an introduction to information systems; information systems strategy; ethics, privacy, and policy; data security; data and knowledge management; networks and communications technologies; wireless and mobile computing; e-business and e-commerce; Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and social networks; systems development and managing information systems projects; and personal productivity software, including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1100
Note: Students will receive credit for only one of MIST 2610, MIST 2611, BBUS 1370, BBUS 1371, BBUS 2370, COMP 1000, COMP 1350, COMP 1700 or COMP 1910.
For more information, search for this course here.

Winter semester
CMNS 1290
Introduction to Professional Writing (3,0,0)

CMNS 1290 Introduction to Professional Writing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students study the theories and practice of professional organizational communication, learning the importance of effective communication to meeting goals, developing and maintaining relationships and the overall facilitation of work. Students develop skills in evaluating communication scenarios, designing communication strategies that meet goals and audience need, including requests, information sharing and persuasion. In addition, students learn to employ writing techniques and editorial skills relevant to professional communication contexts.
Note: Students cannot receive credit for more than one of CMNS 1290, CMNS 1291, CMNS 1810, CMNS 1811
For more information, search for this course here.

ACCT 2250
Management Accounting (3,0,0)

ACCT 2250 Management Accounting (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students develop the skills necessary to collect, analyze, and communicate quantitative and non-quantitative information to assist management in making more effective planning and control decisions. Topics include the role of managerial accounting; basic cost management concepts; job, process, hybrid and activity-based costing; cost behaviour and estimation; cost-volume-profit analysis; profit planning and activity-based budgeting; standard costing, flexible budgeting and variance analysis; cost management tools including the balanced scorecard, benchmarking and reengineering; and relevant costs for decision making such as make or buy, special orders, joint products and outsourcing.
Prerequisite: ACCT 2210 or equivalent (minimum C- grade); ENGL 1100 or ENGL 1110 or ENGL 1120 or ENGL 1140 or ENGL 1210 or equivalent (minimum C- grade)
For more information, search for this course here.

MKTG 2430
Introduction to Marketing (3,0,0)

MKTG 2430 Introduction to Marketing (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students receive an overall view of the marketing function, the role of marketing in society and its application within organizations. Topics include an overview of marketing; developing a marketing plan and strategies; analyzing the marketing environment; consumer behaviour; segmentation, targeting, and positioning; developing new products; product, branding, and packaging decisions; pricing concepts and strategies; distribution strategies; and integrated marketing communications.
Prerequisite: CMNS 1290 (minimum C-) or equivalent
Note: Students cannot receive credit for more than one of MKTG 2430, MKTG 2431, MKTG 3430, TMGT 1150, BBUS 3430 or BBUS 3431
For more information, search for this course here.

HRMN 2820
Human Resource Management (3,0,0)

HRMN 2820 Human Resource Management (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students are introduced to the management of an organization's workforce through the design and implementation of effective human resource policies and procedures. Current Canadian issues and practices are emphasized. The topics include the strategic role of human resources management; human resources planning; job analysis and design; recruitment and selection; employment equity; compensation; training and development; performance appraisal; occupational health and safety; and employee and industrial relations.
Prerequisite: CMNS 1290 and ORGB 2810
Note: Students will only receive credit for one of HRMN 2820, HRMN 2821, HRMN 3820, BBUS 3810, BBUS 3811 or TMGT 1140.
For more information, search for this course here.

BLAW 2910
Commercial Law (3,0,0)

BLAW 2910 Commercial Law (3,0,0)

Credits: 3 credits
Delivery: Campus

Students examine the legal environment in which businesses operate and how common law and different provincial and federal government statutes influence decision-making. Topics include origins of Canadian law; resolving disputes and navigating the court system; tort law; contract law; sales of goods and consumer protection; methods of carrying on business; workplace law; property law; and creditor law.
Prerequisite: ENGL 1100
For more information, search for this course here.

Students must achieve a grade of C- or better in all courses to graduate.


 

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