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!

Advance your understanding of occupational health and safety (OHS) management and get the tools to develop and apply the right system for your organization. If you're a professional with responsibility for managing OHS, learn about legislative compliance, risk management, hazard recognition and control and due diligence. You'll analyze and discuss precedent-setting case law, scan contemporary systems and thoroughly review the amendments to Bill C-45 that established the crime of OHS Criminal Negligence in the Criminal Code. Apply and interpret federal and provincial occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation. Ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices. Apply the principles and key requirements of an OHS management system. Review Bill C-45 (Section 217.1 of the Criminal Code) and know how to comply with it. Create a safety culture within an organization.
  • Fall - 25
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
Building on the basics taught in 1344 Copywriting that Sells & 3681 Writing Digital Content, in this course you'll take your copywriting skills to the next level — with an emphasis advanced copywriting and content marketing writing strategies. Inspired by real-world examples used throughout the course, you'll learn techniques for writing such challenging projects as email campaigns, landing pages and sales pages, ecommerce websites, online ads (Facebook, Google, etc.), blogs, social media, and more. In addition, you'll walk away with the latest tricks-of-the-trade that top copywriters use to drive more traffic to websites, boost response rates on online ads, improve response and conversions on email campaigns, and more. Learn to brainstorm, outline, summarize, and edit using generative AI tools, while applying critical thinking skills to fact-check, customize, and improve the AI writing outputs. You'll hone your craft on practical assignments and receive feedback. This course is taught by an experienced copywriter. This course was formerly called Online & Social Media Copywriting. Take your current copywriting skills and knowledge to an advanced level. Build on your ability to strategize and write a range of promotional materials, from websites to Facebook ads to YouTube commercials. Master the latest best practices in strategizing and writing content (blogs, social media, etc.) that get results. While using AI tools (like ChatGPT, Jasper, and others) in your writing, develop your own unique voice.
  • Fall - 25
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
This course introduces you to key concepts, strategies, and trends behind the extraordinary rise of ecommerce and its impact on both our professional and personal lives. Today, the “do-or-die” importance of ecommerce to modern-day business success and survival is indisputable. This course combines conceptual learning with case study presentations of real-world online businesses and discussions on ecommerce impacting “breaking news” stories.  A primary outcome of the course is the ability to research, strategize, and develop a preliminary business plan for an online business.   Understand the terminology, key trends, core sales, marketing & infrastructure needs of ecommerce Recognize the technical, strategic and operational demands of starting and running an online business Review the most common online business and sales models and understand how they can be used to create a successful omnichannel online business Develop a start-up strategy for an online business with consideration given to a target market, value proposition, market offering, and financial model Research, conceptualize, and develop a preliminary business plan for an online business 
  • Fall - 25
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
This course prepares you to start and run an online business. You'll learn market research, website design, online marketing and web analytics. Find out how to drive high-quality traffic to your website through search engine optimization (SEO), social media presence and online advertising tools and how to measure and tune website performance. Learn to manage content and relationships and oversee online marketing and business operations. Use the most common and important ecommerce/online business tools. Understand web-based market research. Learn new approaches to customer-experience management. Get to know website design. Use tools to design and manage an online marketing program.
  • Fall - 25
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
This course is for you if you're an online business owner or operator who wants to learn best practices in your industry. You'll review case studies that highlight real online business challenges and what industry leaders did to overcome them. You'll examine businesses that are pure-play (online only) and hybrid (online and offline), start-ups or already in flight. Topics include strategy development and implementation, operations, performance management, legal and security issues, change management and fostering ongoing innovation. See how industry leaders produce superior online business and ecommerce results. Study strategic, operational and resource requirements of online business management. Understand the skills required on an online business team. Use key performance indicators to measure and manage performance. Work as part of a team to address management issues.
  • Fall - 25
  • ON-LINE
Learn the basics of writing for the stage and connect with a community of like-minded writers in this introductory course in our playwriting stream. Working with a produced playwright, you'll learn important theatrical elements including story structure, character development and dialogue. The course offers a supportive workshop setting where you can get feedback that will help further develop your skills as a playwright. Obtain a greater understanding of various forms of theatre from traditional to experimental. Develop practical skills and approaches to writing scripts. Complete a short one-act play with the support of your instructor and peers.
  • Fall - 25
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
Embark on a virtual pilgrimage to the temples of Kannon and explore her 33 manifestations as the Boddhisattva of Compassion. The outward journey of pilgrimage parallels an inner journey of creativity, transformation and sanctuary. Drawing from works of fiction, memoir and poetry, we will also read of dakinis or sky-dancers; Padma Lhamo and Kali; Athena, Isis and Hathor; the blue-robed Virgin and the Black Madonna; the first great female philosopher of the western world, Hypatia; Green Tara and White Tara. Through careful reading, learn the toolbox of the writer's craft: description, dialogue, rhythm and sound. Take your writing further by drawing on the processes of meditation, dream work, music, journaling and visualization.   Learn the context, form and structure of pilgrimage through the exploration of the 33-manifestations of Guan Yin, and our study of other secular and faith traditions. Engage in meditation practices associated with the different forms of the sacred feminine. Discover ways in which the sacred feminine in philosophy, contemporary life, and spiritual traditions can help you uncover courage and wisdom within yourself. Engage in generative writing exercises to connect to your authentic voice and story. Engage in a writing workshop and gain helpful feedback from your peers and your instructor. Explore the beginning (or continuation) of your short story, personal essay, novel, memoir, or poetry collection.  
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
This course will help you understand the foundations of energy management methods, policies and trends. Find out how energy resources are generated, transmitted and distributed in a modern economy. You'll learn about energy from conventional sources (fossil fuels, hydro-electric and geothermal) and renewable resources (solar, wind and biofuels). You'll also learn how to do a cost-benefit analysis of energy conservation and how to maintain and integrate energy systems in residential and commercial buildings. Assess the efficiency of conventional and renewable energy sources. Estimate the energy uses of residential and commercial buildings. Understand, calculate and benchmark energy bills for residential and commercial buildings and industrial plants. Assess the maintenance and integration requirements of energy systems.
  • Fall - 25
  • Spring/Summer - 25
  • ON-LINE
Residential and commercial buildings are among the biggest users of energy. This course teaches you how consumption (and budgets) can be cut through better energy management and conservation systems. You'll learn to conduct energy audits, the use of instrumentation and measurements in buildings, and the organization and implementation of energy management and control strategies in building systems. The course also covers existing legislation and available grants, as well as current energy control and management systems. Assess energy use in buildings. Perform energy audits on residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Compare relevant techniques for reducing energy consumption in buildings. Use Cumulative Sum Control Chart (CUSUM) analysis and other analytical tools in assessing consumption.
  • Fall - 25
  • ON-LINE
Modern buildings and urban communities need energy management systems that are sustainable and effective. Learn how deregulation and energy policies, standards, codes, and best practices (such as ISO and ASHRAE), impact the buildings and their energy systems. Use advanced economic analysis techniques to evaluate alternative financing arrangements for energy management projects. Examine distributed generation and renewable generation technologies, and how these can be integrated into the current electricity system. Learn about commissioning of buildings, and how human behavior can impact the energy management systems. Explore how sustainable development principles and strategies can be used in the energy management of a building, a corporation, and an urban community. Analyze the energy policies of Canada and Ontario. Assess the impact of codes, standards and best practices on the buildings and energy systems. Analyze the implications of ISO 50001, ASHRAE 189.1, and LEED certification requirements on energy management. Perform an economic analysis of alternative financing options for energy management projects. Evaluate distributed generation including renewable generation technologies. Assess the importance of building commissioning and the impact of human behaviour on energy management. Explain the structure of deregulated energy markets and analyze the development of energy procurement contracts. Apply sustainable development principles in the energy management of a building and the development of sustainable energy strategies for a corporation and an urban community.
  • Fall - 25
  • ON-LINE

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