Secretarial Studies

OPEN
Secretarial Studies

Online courses

Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS)

1,485 hours
includes an 90-hour internship

Program Description

This program will help you acquire the skills required in order to provide administrative support to managers and professionals.

The skills you will acquire include, but are not limited to the following:

  • File documents and keep files up-to-date using traditional and digital means
  • Correct texts, create document layouts, and assemble and distribute documents
  • Keep schedules up-to-date, and make and confirm appointments
  • Occasionally provide technical support for the use of equipment

In addition to performing administrative tasks, a secretary is often the go-to person in a workplace. This program will prepare you to carry out various tasks, including: data entry, correcting documents, preparing visual presentations, managing schedules, planning meetings, and bookkeeping.

  • Administrative assistant
  • Human resources assistant
  • Executive assistant
  • Administrative officer
  • Data entry clerk
  • Human resources clerk

Admission requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following:

Persons holding a Secondary School Diploma or its recognized equivalent, for example, an Attestation of Equivalence of Secondary V studies, or a postsecondary diploma such as the Diploma of College Studies or a Bachelor’s degree.

Persons who are at least 16 years of age on September 30 of the school year in which their training is to begin and have earned the Secondary IV credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Minister, or have been granted recognition of equivalent learning.

Persons who are at least 18 years of age upon entry into the program and have the following functional prerequisites: the successful completion of the General Development Test, or recognition of equivalent learning.

Functional prerequisite:


  • Language of Instruction

Adult Sector: 3101-2 + 3102-2 or 3070-3
Youth Sector: 632-306


  • Second language

Adult Sector: 2102-3 or 2091-6
Youth Sector: 634-206 or 635-206


Persons who have obtained Secondary III credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Minister are required to pursue general education courses, concurrently with their vocational training, in order to obtain the Secondary IV credits they lack in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Minister.