Program Overview
Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!
The Sprott Shaw College Business Fundamentals certificate program is designed to provide the essential skills necessary to work in an office environment. This program is well suited for an individual that is looking for the shortest training to develop the core set of skills necessary to work in an office environment. People entering this program often have experience in another field or are entering the workforce for the first time.
People planning to work in this competitive field require strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. Those who have developed skills in these areas will be better prepared to compete for jobs. With additional experience or training, progression to management positions is possible.
This program will be delivered online in both synchronous and asynchronous formats. It is therefore important that you have access to a computer and working environment with the following characteristics:
- Recommended hardware – Dual core 2.64 GHz processor with 2 GB RAM
- Microsoft 7 operating system or newer
- High speed internet connection – cable or ADSL
- Web camera/High Definition video camera – MS Lifecam series, Logitech C500 or 900 series
- Headset with microphone
- MS Office Suite 2007 or 2010 preferred
Instructors are available at all times for scheduled classes and by email (response within 24 hours). Additionally, students can usually access
instructors prior to class or just after class end.
Career Opportunities
- Office Assistant
- Customer Service Rep
- Receptionist
- Accounting Assistant
- Data Entry Clerk
Learning Objectives
Business Fundamentals graduates are able to:
- Productively use MS Office including Word and Excel
- Communicate effectively using various communication channels
- Provide professional and efficient customer service
- Perform accounting activities and analyze financial statements
Why Study At Sprott Shaw?
- Lifetime access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation
- Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills
- Practicum opportunities with recognized organizations across BC
- Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait
- Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources in the counselling field
- Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams
- All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, practicum fees, and much more
- Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.
Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working?
Our Business, Marketing, and Cybersecurity graduates can be found working throughout the province. Graduates of our business & marketing programs can be found working for a diverse range of businesses from law and real estate offices to positions with the Government of Canada and Canada Post.
Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.
NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.
- Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview
MATH REQUIREMENT
- * Applicants must successfully complete the Math Entrance Assessment with a minimum score of 20/40
- Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11, or 12 or equivalent; Post Secondary Math; with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
- International students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of Math 10, 11, or 12 or equivalent; Post Secondary Math; with a passing grade of ‘C’ will be exempt from having to write the Math Entrance Assessment. The equivalent credential must be evaluated and verified.
EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)
- Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
- Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY
All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.
The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
SSC programs that have a higher English language level, require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction, or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines.
For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:
1. Education
a) Secondary Education
Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction:
i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or
ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12
iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS
OR
b) Post- Secondary Education
Evidence of 2 years of Fulltime Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.
*This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.
Countries where English is the language of instruction: American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.
OR
2. Assessment
By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment.
Approved English language assessment options:
· IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
· TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
· CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
· CELPIP. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.
· DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
· PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
· Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
· Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
· LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
· MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
· iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
· EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
OR
3. Accuplacer
For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.
Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction).
Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation) and achieves the following minimum scores required:
· Reading: 230
· Writing: 230
· WritePlacer: 4
For more information on our English language program-specific requirements and English equivalencies please click here: Sprott Shaw College English Language Requirements and Equivalents
Certificate Requirements
60% average upon successful completion of all courses, including courses given a complete.
Students can expect to complete 1 – 3 hours of homework per day.
Contact Us Today!
Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.
Courses List
This 21 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.- This course focuses on the fundamental principles of accounting with full online courseware that includes the digital textbook and learning materials.
- This course provides students with an understanding of the fundamental features and functions of word processing, and a widely used word processing software application.
- Students will learn how to create, edit, format, and manage documents efficiently using Word's powerful tools and capabilities. Topics covered include document creation and navigation, text formatting, paragraph and page layout, working with tables and graphics, document collaboration, and advanced features such as mail merge and templates.
- By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the essential skills and proficiency needed to create professional-quality documents for various purposes, including reports, letters, resumes, and presentations.
- This course equips students with fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to proficiently navigate and utilize spreadsheet applications.
- Students will learn to create, edit, analyze, and visualize data using a wide array of features and functions. Topics covered include spreadsheet navigation, data entry and formatting, formula and function creation, data analysis and visualization, and spreadsheet management techniques. By the end of the course, students will be able to confidently manipulate and analyze data, create professional-grade spreadsheets.
- Learn effective study skills, time management, and goal setting.
- Understand college policies, technology, and expectations.
- Apply organization, writing, and citation techniques.
- Develop self-care and stress-management strategies for success.
- Research, prepare and deliver presentations
- Apply proper use of grammar principles
- Overview of processes of communication in the workplace
- Use MS Office PowerPoint
- Importance of written communication within the business environment
- Memos, email, letters and reports
Strategies for Student Success:
- Interview techniques
- Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
- Apply aspects of professionalism
- Identify target markets and employment resources
- Effective customer service and support
- Problem-solving theory and applications
- Four-week practicum (minimum 20 hours per week)
