Online and Remote Learning

Learn where and when you want.

SCS is committed to making learning as accessible as possible both locally and across the globe. We are continuously expanding our list of over 540 online learning opportunities. From languages to accounting, we offer flexible learning opportunities.

Our online courses are instructor-led and delivered through the University of Toronto’s Learning Management Engine – Quercus. Quercus uses weekly, real time modules and has tools for engagement and community building. Course preparation has built in flexibility so you can read, study, and complete assignments on your own time.

You will communicate with your instructors via discussion boards and/or email. Some online courses include live, interactive webinars. If you’re unable to attend the live webinar, you will be able to view a recording of the webinar on your own schedule.

You may also want to investigate funding opportunities available to you on our Financial Assistance page. Your path to lifelong learning is more attainable than you think!

Trace the historical and contemporary development of mindfulness meditation (MM) as it has developed into scientific protocols for the purposes of clinical application and research methodologies. Learn about how these early protocols have been adapted and transformed into applications for education and the corporate world as Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBI’s).  MBI’s are employed by practitioners and researchers as research-based methodological approaches to cultivating an optimal mind. Depending on the MBI, the intent is to enhance one’s health, wellness, resiliency, learning, and potential. This course briefly surveys and explores the spectrum of contemporary MBI’s and their practices, while helping learners to further target and train in MBI protocols. The spectrum of MBI’s covered may include MBSR, MBCT, DBT, ACT, Insight Dialogue, the burgeoning compassion models, as well as mindfulness based curriculums in education and the workplace. Distinguish between a range of mindfulness based interventions and their specific applications. Familiarize yourself with the diverse approaches and applications of mindfulness based interventions. Develop a basic understanding of growing MBI research, body of knowledge and its appropriate application.
  • Fall - 26
  • ON-LINE
Contemporary mindfulness and mindfulness meditation practices attempt to integrate Eastern and Western values and their resulting views of personhood and the world. This course brings these often erroneously contrasted views together, exploring the secular practice through the combining of psychology with philosophies which help explain the practice of mindfulness and mindfulness meditation. A range of philosophies will be explored contributing to an explanation and understanding of the buddhist roots of practice. Phenomenology - the study of perspective, epistemology - the study of knowing, and ontology – the study of ways of being. In this course you will deepen your understanding of mindfulness practice by experiencing an array of philosophical perspectives that focus on how we interact with the world. Learners are invited to explore a new way of relating to their own difficulty and to the suffering of others.   Explore the basics of a world view determined by 500 years of scientific materialism. Identify key shifts taking place in our perspectives that arise out of and are informed by the new sciences (quantum and neurosciences). Consider how these shifts in perspective will change our view of self, personhood, humanity and the moral compass we choose to live by. Learn to integrate the world views of the eastern and western mind as one mind.
  • Fall - 26
  • ON-LINE
In this experiential course  you will reflect on your motivations, intentions, values and practices in order to contribute to a secular, inclusive, universal and embodied practice. Discussions will surround an ancient set of 16 guidelines inspired by leaders committed to a culture that proposes mindful thought, values, relations and compassion-in-action  This course highlights how individuals may embody mindful practices in the everyday. Drawing from an ancient wisdom tradition, translated and stewarded by the Dalai Lama’s foundation in Great Britain, the 16 Guidelines proposes a palette of secular options that cultivate states of the embodied mind.  These guidelines can be integrated into everyday life as a secular practice to optimize one’s human potential as well as to promote a civil society. These include states of mind such as: compassion, kindness, authentic speech etc.   Understand the concept of the embodied mind. Interpret the ancient document known as the 16 Guidelines both historically and in its contemporary application and usage. Develop your own personal guidelines that will provide the scaffolding of your own embodied practice.
  • Fall - 26
  • Spring/Summer - 26
  • ON-LINE
This course shows you how advertising fits into an overall marketing strategy, by combining proven principles with modern forms of communication and consumer engagement. Your instructor will combine lectures, readings, case studies, exercises and assignments to explore advertising strategy and principles. You'll see how advertising has responded to changing consumption patterns by exploiting new channels to target customers more effectively. You'll learn how to incorporate consumer insights into advertising strategy and the creative process, and how to measure your success. Understand how advertising fits into a larger marketing/brand strategy.Incorporate consumer insights into advertising strategy.Get an overview of the creative development process.Explore different media channels, both digital and traditional.Plan and execute campaigns from first pitch to final evaluation.
  • Fall - 26
  • ON-LINE
If you want to create effective advertising, this course will give you the right skills. Whether you want to work in an agency, or take on a greater marketing role, you'll learn how to take advertising campaigns from the big idea to execution. You'll learn how to work with creative teams to get the best results. You'll gain a solid theoretical foundation, explore current and historical initiatives across multiple channels and have an opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills. Master the client/agency relationship to produce outstanding advertising. Write and deliver an effective and inspiring creative brief. Manage and critique creative submissions. Work with various media channels on integrated marketing communications. Apply earned-media strategies, including PR, sponsorship exploitation, branded content and others.
  • Winter - 27
  • ON-LINE
Analyzing engineering projects and companies from an economic standpoint is important for any engineer. This course equips learners with the financial tools needed to make sound decisions about engineering projects and companies. It introduces core concepts like the time value of money and explores methods for comparing investment alternatives, such as present and future worth analysis. Learners will master calculating interest rates and cash flows, both crucial for project evaluation. The course also tackles methods to assess project viability, including payback period and internal rate of return analysis, while considering depreciation methods in a tax context and financial statement analysis to understand organizations’ financial position better. This course will ensure you can make best economic decision in addition to the best technical decision. This course offers engineering knowledge that participants may consider for their continuous professional development needs. As well, if you are required to pass the professional engineering examination in Engineering Economics to get a P.Eng. license in Canada, this course will improve your chances. Case studies and reviews of past exams will build your knowledge and confidence. Financial assistance may be available to eligible Ontario residents through the Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) provided by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Please email scs.learnerservices@utoronto.ca for details. Apply up-to-date concepts and methods of engineering economics in a Canadian setting. Compare engineering projects and choose the one with the best prospects for success. Calculate time-value equivalence, normal and effective interest rate, cash flows and other metrics. Analyze financial statements, effect of inflation and leasing alternatives. Identify and manage uncertainty and risk.
  • Spring/Summer - 26
  • ON-LINE
This course is designed for learners seeking to refresh their knowledge in the field of Power Systems and Machines. You’ll understand the theories and principles underlying power systems and machines - the backbone of electrical systems and industrial automation. You will explore how electrical devices and energy converters contribute to the creation of more flexible and efficient industrial processes. This course offers engineering knowledge that participants may consider for their continuous professional development needs. As well, if you are required to pass the professional engineering examination in Power Systems & Machines to get a P.Eng. license in Canada, this course will improve your chances. Case studies and reviews of past exams will build your knowledge and confidence.  Financial assistance may be available to eligible Ontario residents through the Ontario Bridging Participant Assistance Program (OBPAP) provided by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). Please email scs.learnerservices@utoronto.ca for details. Understand the generation, transmission, and consumption of electrical power Explain the concepts related to magnetic circuits and electromechanical energy conversion Analyze and explain the operating principles of electric machines, including AC machines such as synchronous and induction motors, transformers, and DC machines Examine basic electrical power systems and estimate the flow of active and reactive power Utilize appropriate computational tools and techniques to model, analyze, and interpret results for power system and electric machine problems
  • Spring/Summer - 26
  • ON-LINE
In today’s complex media landscape, successful organizations need people with strong storytelling skills to effectively communicate key messages, leverage the power of AI and foster brand loyalty across multiple platforms. You'll learn how to tell coherent brand narratives that translate into compelling stories across mediums like photography, video, podcasts, and social media. You'll work with like-minded colleagues to plan and produce an integrated campaign that marries strategy and creative to achieve key objectives and reach a defined target audience through the web, social, and traditional media. And, you'll learn best practices across multiple media formats, gain practical skills for using AI to aid in the storytelling ideation process and explore the role that legal and ethical issues have in digital content initiatives. Analyze the structure and elements of a multimedia campaign and brand storytelling. Develop an omni-channel strategy in response to a project brief. Create and produce a script and media presentation that meets all objectives. Better understand the legal and ethical framework in which you are working. Apply what you learn to a project related to your current employment or to a personal initiative.
  • Fall - 26
  • ON-LINE
You learned the basics of multimedia storytelling in our foundations course. You applied them to modern content marketing in the second course. Now learn the most advanced form of multimedia: the omni-channel campaign that integrates virtual and physical environments, multiple assets and technologies. This course will empower learners to build storytelling skills using a digital toolkit they will work with throughout the semester. We will build and refine the technical, creative, analytical and practical skills needed to create multimedia storytelling. Learners will capture different multimedia elements for weekly assignments to practice what they learn, and produce a final digital media project using new media technologies and tools. Recognize the strategic importance of modern storytelling & omni-channel marketing. Produce stories that integrate content, media, technology and space across multiple channels. Meet established standards for production quality, and ethical and legal compliance. Examine conversational interfaces, chatbots, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, advanced marketing automation technologies and other emerging technologies for effectiveness and impact. Develop a measurable plan with key performance objectives to deliver content on time and on budget. Evaluate the key characteristics, quality and effectiveness of your strategy.
  • Fall - 26
  • ON-LINE
Learn how to approach or enhance a local-history research project in Canada, or how to support such a project. Discover how approaches to the topic have evolved, and what contemporary methods and leading-edge tools you might consider for such a project. We'll take advantage of a wide range of remarkable resources, including vital collections in Canadian libraries, archives and museums. Both beginners and seasoned researchers are welcome! Taught by expert James F.S. Thomson, offered in collaboration with U of T's Faculty of Information. Gain an appreciation of past and current approaches to local-history research. Discover exciting tools and resources which are now available. Explore case studies that show the breadth of the field and the practical application of various methodologies. Identify methods and research resources that could enhance particular projects.
  • Fall - 26
  • ON-LINE

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