Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies

Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies
Name	Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies
Established	1965
Parent	Simon Fraser University
Type	Continuing education division
Campuses	Burnaby Campus, Harbour Centre Campus, Surrey Campus

Simon Fraser University Continuing Studies is the continuing education division of Simon Fraser University offering adult education, professional development, community learning, and corporate training across the Lower Mainland and beyond. It delivers certificates, short courses, workshops, and customized programs to learners ranging from working professionals to lifelong learners associated with places such as Vancouver, Burnaby, and Surrey. The unit interfaces with regional employers, sector associations, and municipal bodies including City of Vancouver, Metro Vancouver Regional District, and provincial agencies while aligning with standards from organizations like Chartered Professional Accountants and Project Management Institute.

History

Continuing Studies traces roots to early extension efforts at Simon Fraser University concurrent with campus founding in the 1960s under figures like Malcolm A. MacLean and administrators influenced by policies from Government of British Columbia. Early milestones included community outreach initiatives modeled on programs at University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, and University of Victoria. Over decades it expanded through partnerships with institutions such as BC Institute of Technology and professional bodies like Law Society of British Columbia, adapting to shifts driven by events such as the NAFTA era workforce transitions, the 2008 financial crisis, and the technological accelerations following the COVID-19 pandemic. Programmatic growth paralleled campus development projects on the Burnaby Mountain site and urban engagement at Harbour Centre, Vancouver and Simon Fraser University Surrey.

Organization and Governance

The division operates within governance frameworks of SFU Senate and the Simon Fraser University Board of Governors. Leadership roles liaise with faculties including Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Beedie School of Business, Faculty of Applied Sciences, and Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology. Advisory boards include representatives from entities such as BC Technology Industry Association, Vancouver Board of Trade, Canadian Association for Continuing Education, and local chambers like Surrey Board of Trade. Compliance aligns with standards from bodies like British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training and accreditation practices referenced by organizations such as Canadian Information Processing Society and Project Management Institute.

Programs and Courses

Course offerings span domains connected to units and partners such as Beedie School of Business, School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, and Department of English. Sample topical areas reference certificate pathways tied to professions in collaboration with associations like Canadian Marketing Association, Human Resources Professionals Association, and Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada. Specialized courses reflect sectoral needs from technology partners such as Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Cisco Systems, and design collaborations influenced by Vancouver Film School alumni networks. Continuing Studies also delivers language and intercultural programming referencing curricula from Modern Language Centre models and draws on methodologies used at Continuing Studies at the University of British Columbia.

Professional Development and Certificates

Certificate programs align with credentialing frameworks similar to those of Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia, Project Management Institute, Canadian Information Processing Society, and professional registries like College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia. Offerings include leadership and management pathways influenced by teachings at Harvard Business School case methods, entrepreneurship tracks resonant with Futurpreneur Canada networks, and technical certificates through partnerships with BC Technology Industry Association and Linux Foundation. Many programs prepare learners for external credentials such as PMP and occupational standards referenced by WorkSafeBC.

Community and Corporate Partnerships

The division collaborates with municipal and corporate partners including City of Surrey, City of Burnaby, Vancouver Coastal Health, Fraser Health Authority, TELUS, BC Hydro, Vancity, and non-profits like United Way British Columbia. Educational partnerships extend to colleges such as Langara College and Douglas College as well as international linkages with institutions like University of Victoria exchange programs and business relationships with Simon Fraser University Alumni Association. Customized corporate training has been delivered for sectors represented by Motion Picture Industry, Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver, and professional associations like Canadian Bar Association.

Online and Distance Education

Online delivery scaled rapidly in response to global shifts driven by events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, adopting platforms and practices associated with vendors like Canvas, Zoom, Moodle, and cloud providers such as Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. Digital pedagogy draws on instructional design approached in parallel to initiatives at Open University and regional e-learning consortia. Programs incorporate micro-credentials and stackable certificates influenced by national conversations led by bodies such as Polytechnics Canada and frameworks from British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfer.

Admissions and Registration

Admissions pathways range from open-enrollment non-credit registration similar to models at Continuing Education at University of Toronto to selective certificate cohort admissions reflecting prerequisites aligned with standards set by entities like Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and Project Management Institute. Registration integrates student services and systems interoperable with PeopleSoft and student support structures coordinated with campus offices referenced by SFU Student Services and external scholarship sources such as Canadian Merit Scholarship Foundation.

Facilities and Campuses

Instructional facilities are distributed across the Burnaby Mountain Campus, the urban Harbour Centre campus in Downtown Vancouver, and the Surrey campus, leveraging spaces such as lecture halls, computer labs equipped with technology from Dell Technologies and Apple Inc., and conference venues used for partnerships with organizations like Vancouver Convention Centre. Campus amenities connect with transit infrastructure like TransLink, and classroom scheduling coordinates with events hosted by cultural institutions such as Vancouver Art Gallery and community centres including Surrey Arts Centre.

Category:Simon Fraser University Category:Continuing education in Canada