Courses

Courses for both the CCAP and the CCAPA programs are based on our profession’s Centres of Expertise. These centres compliment the knowledge and skills required of a successful administrative professional.

Courses for the CCAP program are completed through Canadian colleges and universities. Please refer to our Educational Partners page for details.

Courses for the CCAPA program are completed through our business partner, Think Business and the AAP’s online portal.

COMPULSORY COURSES

Centre of Expertise

Course

CCAP

CCAPA

Communications

Business Writing

✔️

✔️

Leadership/Management

Organizational Behaviour

✔️

Management/Supervision Studies

✔️

Human Resource Management

✔️

ELECTIVE COURSES 

Centre of Expertise

Course

CCAP

CCAPA

Project Management (choose 1)

Project Management

✔️

✔️

Event Management

✔️

✔️

Technology/Computer Skills (choose 1)

Social Media

✔️

✔️

Website Design/Management

✔️

✔️

Advanced levels of Microsoft Programs

✔️

✔️

Business Operations (choose 1)

Financial Accounting

✔️

✔️

Statistics

✔️

✔️

Marketing

✔️

✔️

Public Relations

✔️

✔️

Economics

✔️

✔️

Business or Commercial Law

✔️

✔️

Psychology

✔️

✔️

Change Management

✔️

✔️

Board Governance

✔️

✔️

Critical Thinking

✔️

✔️


EQUIVALENTS GRANTED TOWARDS CCAP and CCAPA COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Applications to either of the AAP’s certification programs will be accepted from those who have completed all or part of the course requirements within the previous five years.

If prior courses were completed through one of our educational partners:

  • The applicant must provide a transcript showing successful completion of the course requirements outlined in the applicable program.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to pay all fees related to obtaining a transcript.
  • The CCAP Registrar will then confirm acceptance of the completed courses and what requirements are outstanding.
  • The applicant can then enrol in their chosen certification program and proceed with completing the program
    requirements.

If prior courses were completed through a college or university that is not an educational partner:

  • The applicant must provide the Registrar with a transcript showing successful completion of the course requirements along with the original course syllabus for each course that they are seeking approval. Courses must have been completed within the 5 years prior to enrolling in the CCAP or CCAPA.
  • It is the applicant’s responsibility to pay all expenses to obtain the required documentation.
  • The CCAP Registrar will confirm acceptance of the evaluation and what requirements are outstanding.
  • The applicant can then enrol in their chosen certification program.

OTHER PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS’ EQUIVALENTS GRANTED TOWARDS CCAP DESIGNATION

If you have a valid certification from another administrative professional organizing body, such as IAAP or the ASAP, you can apply to take an equivalency exam to have your credentials applied to the CCAP certification requirements.

You must be a member of the AAP for a minimum of one year prior to applying to take the exam and provide proof of valid certification from the issuing body. There is a fee of $200 to enrol and an exam fee that must be paid. The exam covers all five Centres of Expertise – Communication, Project Management, Technology/ Computer Skills, Business Operations, and Leadership/ Management.

Once the exam is successfully completed the member will become part of the certification renewal program and subject to meeting its
requirements. Membership must be maintained in good standing to keep the certificate valid. For further information about the
requirements, please refer to our Certification Renewal page.

NON-CANADIAN RESIDENTS

Enrollment in either of our certification programs is open to residents and non-residents of Canada. Anyone residing outside of Canada must complete their certification courses through one of AAP’s educational partners.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERNATIONALLY EDUCATED STUDENTS

The AAP requires that internationally educated members who are interested in obtaining equivalencies for the CCAP or CCAPA courses have their academic records evaluated by World Education Services (WES). The AAP requires a Course-by-Course International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP). The original course syllabus for the course(s) completed must also be provided with the request for
equivalency. Without all of this information we cannot consider previous learning exemption requests. When you apply to WES, either online or by paper application, indicate that you want the AAP Registrar to receive a copy of your evaluation report directly from WES.

To begin your application with WES, apply online or print out the application form and instructions at applications.wes.org