1. Secretarial Studies Page 1 of 3
Pearson Adult and Career Centre
Detailed Description of the Secretarial Studies Program
Module
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Title Description
1 Occupation and Training
Process
Explore the field. Look into what skills are needed to
succeed as secretaries. Learn about the job market.
A basic PowerPoint presentation, on entrepreneurs,
from the students is expected.
2 Keyboarding To learn and apply a proper keyboarding technique
using ten fingers to reach 25 wpm (Part 1 of 2). Along
with applying a keyboarding technique, office
ergonomics will be covered in which the student must
use during the entire program.
3 Proofreading The students will be given a variety of texts to
proofread and provide error free documents by
identifying proper spelling, grammar, syntax, verb
conjugation and style.
4 Information Management Learning the basic of filing using alphabetical and
numeric systems. To be able to code and classify
documents using a classification plan and a records
retention schedule. To be able to process semi-active
to inactive documents.
5 Basic Word Processing Using MS Office Word - to learn the basic functions of
the program and to format and modify typical
business documents. Other topics include, creating
tables, mail merge and backup. Learn to properly use
the operating system and manage efficiently
electronic files and folders.
6 English Correspondence Learn to compose and format one-page business
correspondence in English. The use of an outline is a
key element in formulating ideas. The students will
compose letters, requests, claims, formal notices, etc.
Envelope formatting will also be covered.
7 Common Accounting Tasks To carry out common accounting tasks including
entering data into the modules of Sage Simply
Accounting. The students will learn how to prepare
deposits, process vouchers, purchases and produce
invoices, petty cash and payroll among other
accounting related tasks.
8 Database Software Organize and process data related to a company’s
resources. Create the structure of the database
tables, enter and process data, using MS Access.
Create queries to produce reports and labels.
9 Quality In this participation module, the students will be able
to understand and identify with various management
approaches to quality. They will also learn the
operation of organizations which apply quality
management principles; recognize the importance of
their participation in the process of quality
management and establish objectives and means to
achieve quality in their work. A group PowerPoint
presentation will be expected from the students.
10 Periodic Accounting Tasks The students will carry out periodic accounting tasks
and learn about bank reconciliations, report
production, carry out end of year procedures, fill out
regulation forms and following up on a budget.

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Module
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Title Description
11 Communication In this participation module, the students will learn the
general principles of communication and practice
effective communications, both verbal and non-
verbal, by applying various techniques. A PowerPoint
presentation from the students will cover verbal and
non verbal communication.
12 Telecommunications With the use of telecommunication tools, the students
will learn how to properly research using the internet,
faxing, and to understand the use of various
communication tools to transmit and receive
information, working with calendars using Outlook.
Telephone and email etiquette will also be covered.
13 Bilingual Communications Learn how to handle bilingual communications in an
office setting on the basis of case studies; learning
situations and role-play in English and in French.
14 Business Correspondence
Production
Write and format two-page letters. Correct filing and
retention schedules will be used. Parcel Shipping and
Canada Post standards.
15 Spreadsheets Learn basic MS Excel. Work with multiple
worksheets. Present data in the form of tables and
charts.
16 Time Management In this participation module, the students will learn the
importance to secretarial personnel of using their time
efficiently; adopt methods of managing their time (i.e.
prioritizing). Be aware of their strengths and
limitations in managing their time.
17 Business Correspondence in
French
Writing, revising, editing, formatting and filing a two-
page letter in French.
18 Labour laws Use information related to legislation affecting
businesses. Learn the procedure to process various
claims and produce documents for government
organizations.
19 Translation into French The students will learn how to translate a one-page
English letter into French and formatting it.
20 Advanced Word Processing The student will learn the advance functions of Word,
including mail merge, automatic numbering, macros,
indexes and table of contents, bibliographies, tables,
templates, importing and exporting files. Advanced
features of PowerPoint will be covered in detail with
an individual presentation expected at the end of the
module.
21 Desktop Publishing Using Word, the students must design documents
that are visually effective. They will create documents
containing graphs, images, page, paragraph and
character formatting based on typesetting standards.
22 Document Production The students will learn how to compose and format
press releases. They will also write, proofread, format
and classify multi-page business documentations.
The student must reach the keyboarding 40 wpm
requirement.
23 Business Meetings Writing and formatting notices of meetings, agendas
and minutes and forwarding them to meeting
members. The students will participate in a meeting
scenario. They will also organize, schedule, and

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Module
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Title Description
arrange all the tasks that go into planning a meeting.
24 File Updates In a simulated working environment, the students will
be given various tasks to perform using all the
software tools and module skills acquired during the
entire program.
25 Job Search Techniques Explore employment opportunities in the chosen field.
Prepare and apply a job search plan. Present a
suitable cover letter and a résumé. Prepare and
practice interviews.
26 Entering the Work Force Practice the skills and use the knowledge acquired
during the program in an actual work environment.
This practicum must be scheduled during the last
three weeks of the program.
This program leads to a DVS (Diploma of Vocational Studies) in Secretarial Studies