Business Administrative Assistant Program FAQs

The Business Administration Certificate Program is designed to be completed in 10 months, or 900 hours. That means you could be working as an administrative assistant or other office administration job in under a year!

Students completing their first year of MaKami College’s Business Administrative Assistant Certificate can now transfer directly into the Legal Office Assistant Diploma at Bow Valley College with full credit for one semester of study. Learn more about the MaKami and Bow Valley transfer partnership. 

The role of a business administrator can vary greatly depending on where they work. Business administrative assistants can greet guests at reception, conduct administrative tasks such as answering phones and booking meetings, and they can even be involved in event planning and social media management for a company.

MaKami’s leading-edge business administration program is packed with real-life courses to help you get hired upon graduation. The curriculum includes everything from computer basics to marketing and social media management. Learn more about our business administration curriculum. 

MaKami’s 10-month online program is offered in a case study format, which means that in addition to our state-of-the-art business administration curriculum, which already provides real-life office skills, you will be placed as an administrative assistant within a mock company. You’ll have imaginary managers, coworkers, tasks and assignments that will prepare you for today’s dynamic office environment.

In Alberta, administrative assistants make an average of $47,000 per year.

MaKami students are eligible for many types of financial assistance depending on their unique situation, such as student loans, bursaries, grants and more. Learn more about our Financial Options.

Yes it is! MaKami is recognized by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education as we are a publicly funded, not-for-profit independent academic institution and listed on the Government of Canada’s list of Designated Learning Institutions. We are also in good standing with NHP Canada, CRMTA, and the Canadian Sports Massage Therapists Association.

Business administrators are in high demand so there are many business administration jobs available to graduates once they leave school. Business administrators can work in any office environment or in a reception role in basically any industry, making it a very flexible career path.

MaKami’s Business Administration certificate program is a 10-month program created in a case study format where you are hired in a mock company, learning real-life workplace skills from day one. MaKami’s curriculum is up-to-date with today’s workplaces, with leading-edge courses that will have you ready to hit the ground running when you graduate.

Students completing their first year of MaKami College’s Business Administrative Assistant Certificate can now transfer directly into the Legal Office Assistant Diploma at Bow Valley College with full credit for one semester of study. Learn more about the MaKami and Bow Valley transfer partnership. 

MaKami College offers its Business Administration program every two months online, so you can study from anywhere! (Yes, even internationally!) The program is offered out of our Edmonton and Calgary campuses, with opportunities to come into campus to enjoy social life. Learn more about our campuses.

Yes!

The Business Administration program is offered online. The unique case study format allows students to learn in a simulated environment, providing the practical, hands-on training they will need to be successful in the workplace.

At the end of the program they will also have a full ePortfolio ready to be used to find employment!

1. Minimum 17 years of age at the time of program start
2. Admission interview with the institution
3. Completion of one of the following: 
   • Alberta High School Diploma
   • A recognized equivalent

• Minimum 18 years of age, and
• Demonstrated readiness for post-secondary study through meeting one or more of the following:
  • Admission interview with the institution
  • Relevant work or volunteer experience
  • Successful completion of a MaKami College approved entrance equivalency exam
  • Completion of post-secondary studies or continuing education, including certificates, diplomas, or degrees.
  • If the credentials are from outside Canada, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) may be accepted to determine equivalencies.

Additional Considerations:

• Each application is reviewed holistically, recognizing formal education, experiential learning, and demonstrated competencies.
• Mature Admission decisions are based on academic readiness, professional experience, and learner potential, not solely on traditional credentials.

Applicants may be eligible for admission and/or advanced standing through a transfer pathway based on prior post-secondary education.

Transfer pathways may include:

1. Internal Program Transfers
   • Graduates or students from MaKami College programs may transfer into another program or cohort subject to:
     • Program relevance
     • Academic standing
     • Credit transfer eligibility
     • Institutional approval
2. External Transfer Agreements

• Applicants who have completed coursework at recognized post-secondary institutions may be considered for admission and/or advanced standing through:
  • Formal articulation or transfer agreements, where applicable.

3. Transfer Alberta

• Where applicable, transfer credit may be granted in accordance with Transfer Alberta guidelines.
• Transfer decisions are subject to:
  • Transfer Alberta equivalency listings
  • Institutional policies
  • Program-specific learning outcomes

Transfer credit does not guarantee admission and is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants still are required to meet the program admission standards.