SECRETARIAT - DEP 5357
The secretarial studies program (DEP 5357) offers structured and practical training designed to equip students with the specific skills required for immediate professional application.
Program details
Completion of this program leads to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP).
The Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) is a state-recognized qualification. The DEP certifies that the student has completed and passed a secondary-level vocational studies program leading to a trade or profession.
Course duration: 17 to 18 months (1485 hours)
Program description
Program objectives
As part of their daily duties, administrative assistants independently perform the administrative tasks necessary to support managers and professionals.
Program description
- Ensure the quality of the documents produced
- Follow up on correspondence
- Contribute to the management of material resources
- Perform routine accounting operations (bookkeeping, bank deposits, monitoring of supplier and customer accounts).
- Perform document management
- Provide occasional technical support for equipment use and the integration of new staff.
- Organize meetings and events
- Write documents and design presentations, tables, graphs and document templates.
- Responding to customers
- Revising, correcting and formatting documents
- Entering text and data on the computer
- Keeping calendars
- Translating texts
- Update the information published on websites or social networks
Conditions d'admission

Canadian Students
You are eligible for this program if you meet the college's educational requirements and fulfill at least one of the following criteria:
- The person has interrupted their full-time studies or has pursued full-time post-secondary studies for at least two (2) consecutive terms or one (1) academic year;
- the person is covered by an agreement between the college and an employer or by a government study program;
- the person interrupted their full-time studies for one term and continued full-time post-secondary studies for one term; or
- You hold a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP)
- the person has successfully completed their 4th year secondary Mathematics course, Culture, Society and Technology sequence (CST-063414) or equivalent.
Prerequisites
- Individuals holding a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent, for example a Secondary V equivalency certificate, or a post-secondary diploma such as a college diploma or a bachelor's degree.
- Individuals aged at least 16 years on September 30 of the school year in which their training is to begin, and who have obtained Secondary 4 credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in the programs of study established by the Ministry, or who have obtained recognition of equivalent learning.
- Individuals aged at least 18 years upon entry into the program and possessing the following functional prerequisites: successful completion of the general development test (see the following table) or recognition of equivalent learning.
- Individuals who have obtained Secondary 3 credits in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Ministry are required to take general education courses, alongside their professional training, in order to obtain the Secondary 4 credits they lack in language of instruction, second language and mathematics in programs established by the Ministry.
Specific prerequisites
- Language of instruction
- Adults - 3101-1 and 3102-2 (3070-3)
- Non-adults - 632-306
- Second language
- Adults - 2102-3 (2091-6)
- Non-adults - 634-206 or 635-206

International Students
The admissions team at Cestar College, Longueuil Campus works closely with our international students throughout the application process.
Feel free to email us or schedule a virtual appointment if you would like assistance with the application process.
Admissions guide for international students
Admission checklist
Admission requirements for international students
Language requirements
List of requirements for international students
Technical requirements
Since the fall of 2024, Cestar College, Longueuil campus has implemented a policy for the use of personal devices (BYOD).
Here are the minimum recommended technical requirements for laptops at Cestar College, Longueuil campus:
- Microsoft Windows 11
- 11th generation Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5000 series processor
- Minimum memory of 8 GB (16 GB preferred)
- Webcam functionality
- Audio capability (high-quality speakers and headphones/microphone for classroom use)
- 512GB or larger SSD
- Wireless network adapter compatible with the IEEE 802.11g/n/ac standard
- 15-inch screen or larger (recommended resolution 1920x1080)
- At least 1 full-size USB port (USB 3.0A) and 1 or more USB-C ports.
- Antivirus software required
- Optional: RJ45 10/100/1000 Ethernet connection or USB to Ethernet adapter
The College requires a Windows computer. Apple devices or Chromebooks are not compatible with the programs at the Cestar College Longueuil campus. The College offers registered students wireless internet access and the ability to download Office 365 software.
List of courses
Session 1
- The profession and the training process
- Proofreading
- Word processing
- The quality of written English
Session 2
- Customer service
- Document management
- Spreadsheet creation
- Presentation design
Session 3
- Business texts in English
- Accounting operations
- Business correspondence
- Database creation
Session 4
- Cash management
- Translation
- Creation of tables and graphs
- Visual document design
Session 5
- Business copy in French
- Digital media
- Communication in French
- Monitoring of business correspondence
Session 6
- Meetings and events
- Report writing
- Technical assistance
- Coordination of multiple tasks
- Labor market integration
After graduation
Possible career paths after graduation
- administrative assistants
- executive assistants
- office workers
- administrative staff
- data entry clerk
- office clerk
- staff clerk
- secretaries
- accounting secretaries
- reception secretaries
- Any job related to administration and information technology
Potential employers
- small and large businesses
- private and public companies
- Municipalities
- Governments, etc.
Thank you for contacting us. We will get back to you as soon as possible.