Office Software Specialist program prepares students for Microsoft certification

Experienced office workers who want to increase their knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and Access have a new option to obtain their Office Software Specialist certificate.

Keyano College will offer its Office Software Specialist certificate program online through eCampusAlberta beginning in September.
 
The program, which includes nine core courses plus additional specialty options, enables people with workplace experience to advance their knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and partially prepares them for Microsoft Business Certification.

These courses are also offered as part of the Office Administration diploma program, which is also offered through eCampusAlberta. Students who don’t want to take the entire diploma program can still become experts in Microsoft Office applications very quickly by taking the certificate program.

“This program helps students gain that expertise quickly and conveniently,” says Keyano College Business Programs chair, Gina Langager. 

“The certificate program is targeted at two groups of people. The first includes those who need advanced experience or training in Microsoft Office applications, for example those who are moving into management. The second group includes office workers who have gaps in their knowledge of Microsoft Office applications," Langager says.

The ideal audience is people who are working and need to upgrade their skills, she says.

“The program is designed for those who want to gain application expertise in a way that is most convenient for their schedule,” she says.

“Since there is no structured timeline or sequence for taking the courses, students can plan their course load to suit their schedule. They can focus on the applications that are the most important to them first and pick up the other courses later.”

In addition to the program’s nine core courses, there are three additional courses for students who want to add Expert specializations in Microsoft Excel, Word and Access to their certificate. The program also partially prepares them to earn a Microsoft Business Certification credential.

The Office Software Specialist certificate program, which is designed for part-time study for full-time workers, typically takes from one to three years to complete.

Learn more about Keyano College's online Office Software Specialist certificate program.