Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Accounting

at Okanagan College - Kelowna Campus Canada

Okanagan College offers first- and second-year courses in Arts and Science. Most courses have transfer credit at universities in British Columbia and will transfer to other universities within Canada. Areas of specialization include: 

• Communications
• Criminal and Social Justice
• Economics
• English
• Geography
• History
• Interdisciplinary Studies
• Modern Languages
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology

An associate degree consists of two years of undergraduate university-level study in a variety of disciplines. Specific courses and credits are provincially-approved to qualify students for degree completion. This credential enables students to transfer into the third year of an undergraduate university degree. Block transfer is also available at many universities in B.C.

The Office Management certificate provides graduates of applied business technology and administrative assistant programs with a broad business base that emphasizes managerial aspects of secretarial work. Students will be prepared to write the proficiency exams leading to the Certified Professional Secretary designation. Courses leading to this credential will be offered during the day and evening. Some courses are available by distance education.

The Business Studies Certificate allows students to focus on a specific discipline. This program may be of interest to those who are already employed. Some courses are also available by distance education. All Business Studies Certificates require the use of Microsoft Office software. Computer experience is recommended.

The Diploma in Environmental Studies offers an interdisciplinary opportunity to understand the physical principles governing the environment and the social and cultural aspects that influence human behaviour towards the environment. Students will gain a holistic knowledge of the environment through courses from the sciences, social sciences and humanities. The interdisciplinary model will equip students with the critical and analytical skills to think through the many complex factors that influence our understanding of the environment.

The diploma has four options: interdisciplinary environmental arts, environmental management, environmental science and geographic information science. Courses have university transfer credit providing students with the option of further study in either environmental studies or other disciplines. Students can also move directly into the workplace for there is a growing demand for labour in the environmental sector.

The Early Childhood Education program prepares students to work with young children in a variety of inclusive early childhood environments. Students will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work with children, families and the community in planning enriched programs in daycares, preschools, infant/toddler centres and other early childhood initiatives that focus upon healthy early development. Successful completion of the four-semester Diploma in Early Childhood Education (and the intercession practicum) satisfies the requirements of the Early Childhood Registrar, Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), Community Care Facilities Licensing Branch (CCFB) for a Certificate to Practice as an Early Childhood Educator, a Special Needs Educator and an Infant/Toddler Educator. Graduates of a Diploma in Early Childhood Education may also receive block transfer credit for continuation of their studies toward a degree. For further information on post-diploma opportunities, please contact the Department of Early Childhood Education.

Students who successfully complete only the first three semesters of the Diploma in Early Childhood Education may be eligible to be granted a Certificate in Early Childhood Education. Completion of the three semester Certificate in Early Childhood Education satisfies the training requirements for a Certificate to Practice as an Early Childhood Educator.

The Business Administration Certificate program provides students with the opportunity to study areas of business such as Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resources Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management and Marketing. Students completing the Business Administration Certificate are able to apply their completed course work towards the Business Administration Diploma and/or the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. 

This 38-week (1,140 hours) program provides learners with little or no previous experience in the Heavy Duty Mechanic, Commercial Transport Mechanic, Diesel Engine Mechanic, or Transport Trailer Technician trades with the skills necessary to seek employment in the industry. Instruction in theoretical and practical components of all four trades are included, giving students the opportunity to choose to enter any of the four trades as an apprentice. The program includes a two-week industry work placement. Graduates of this program will receive an Okanagan College program certificate, Level 1 Technical Training credit and 450 work-based training hours towards one of the four trades from the Industry Training Authority.

Graduates with a diploma or degree in Business Administration from Okanagan College may receive a post-diploma certificate in Business Administration by completing an additional 18 credits of BUAD courses, of which at least 15 credits must be course numbered 200 or higher. This certificate will be of interest to students who have completed one option and now wish to broaden their studies in a second option. Certificates are available in Accounting, Financial Services, General Studies, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Management, and Tourism and Hospitality Management. Please contact the department chair for approval of your study plan.

The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is a 1,110 hour (37 week) certificate program which includes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, computerized accounting, and presentation software. Students also learn business communications, business math, office procedures, effective job search techniques, accounting, and self-management skills. There is a three-week practicum component to this certificate.
The Administrative Assistant Certificate program is offered on campus as well as online. On-site students are normally enrolled full time; students wishing to take courses on campus on a part-time basis should consult with the department chair. Online students may complete the program part time.  Graduates may be employed as receptionists, general clerks, administrative or executive assistants, and other similar careers.

Graduates may also continue their education as the Administrative Assistant Certificate program is recognized by other programs such as the Okanagan College Legal Administrative and Medical Administrative Assistant Certificate programs. As well, select courses transfer to the Okanagan College Business Administration, Canadian Institute of Bookkeeping (CIB), and the Canadian Payroll Association programs.

The Commercial Helicopter Pilot Certificate (CHPC) will complement the objectives of the Commercial Aviation program, allowing students from both airplane and helicopter courses to share common ground school courses. This will educate students with the unique challenges of operating helicopters in Canada and internationally.

This certificate follows the Transport Canada approved curriculum and shares courses with the Commercial Aviation Diploma. This includes fundamentals and advanced skills required for commercial helicopter pilots. Students will complete the program with the skills to take the Transport Canada Commercial Helicopter Pilots written and flight tests.

Okanagan College continues to incorporate business development skills with aviation course so students can advance their professionalism and work ethic within future career positions. By blending commercial helicopter pilot training skills with the Okanagan College School of Business, graduates will enter the industry with more advanced education than that of a general pilot.

This certificate will require two full semesters over one year with a total of 40 credits. Graduates that successfully complete the Transport Canada written and in flight exams and accumulate a minimum of 100 hours of flight time, will be ready for employment as commercial helicopter pilots.