Continuing Studies with Short Courses in Canada

Short courses in Canada are diversely scattered across the country, offered by institutions of higher education and organizations. Taking a short course is a great way to acquire new skills or to enhance your existing skills. Courses are presented in such a way that students can easily relate to the content. The contents also contain numerous examples on how to apply the relevant skills in a practical environment.

The duration of short courses vary but usually lasts for months, depending on what and where you take the program. Some short courses are designed to assist you in your current job, whilst others are industry specific and are aimed at people who would like to change careers or enter into new industries.

If you are wondering where you can take short courses in Canada, read on to see the best places to gain knowledge with short courses!

1. University of Alberta International Short Courses

The University of Alberta (UAlberta) has an international reputation for teaching and research excellence across diverse areas of impact in the sciences, engineering, health sciences, social sciences and humanities, creative arts, business and physical education. In order to promote international skills transfer and capacity building at the global level, International Projects (IP) creates tailor-made short courses in a range of focus areas for professional development to various organizations in industry, as well as the public and private sectors. The University is keen to share expertise with international partners and learn more about organizations’ unique opportunities and challenges.

Short courses at UAlberta are flexible and customized to meet each group’s specific needs and are open to any proposed content field. The courses are designed and delivered collaboratively with the client and based on each group’s unique needs.

Some of the areas of expertise include: energy, environment, physical education, climate change, food and nutrition, and health. Topics can be designed using expertise from UAlberta’s 18 faculties, centers, and institutes. IP will coordinate collaboration with campus partners.

Courses can range from a few days to a few weeks or months, depending on the audience and their needs. The flexible nature of short courses allows for them to be delivered in a variety of formats. Short courses can be delivered:

• • In-country
  • In Canada
  • Online
  • Face-to-face
  • Blended formats of the above

There is a general framework used to approach short courses and then adapted based on the needs of the client. The short course experience of the participants may include the following:

• • Experiential aspects, including case studies and global examples / best practices
  • Cultural excursions
  • Intercultural skills
  • English as a second language
  • Classroom discussion
  • Community of practice learning pods
  • Panel discussions
  • Site visits (both in-industry and out-of-industry)
  • Small group work
  • Reflection time
  • Action learning projects
  • Weekend excursions to Banff or Jasper, Alberta

While short courses are available to a wide range of participants, the focus is on sponsored students and professionals, and these generally include:

• • Public sector professionals
  • Private sector professionals
  • Executives
  • Young professionals

Costing will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will be based on standard costing models, taking into account the context and length of the course. For more information, go to UAlberta’s website.

2. PDAC Short Courses

Short Courses are in-depth educational sessions led by presenters with expertise in a variety of different subject matters. The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) offers a list of 2020 Short Courses which will be available in October. PDAC reserves the right to cancel Short Courses that do not meet minimum attendance requirements.

Upon request, PDAC will provide a certificate of completion for Short Courses to help you meet your professional development (PD) hour requirements to maintain your professional designation.

PDAC 2020 will once again host several Short Courses as part of their commitment to facilitating growth and sharing of industry knowledge and expertise. You are invited to submit a proposal to present a Short Course at PDAC which contributes to this commitment.

The Short Course application constitutes two parts:

• • Completion of online application form
  • Online submission of Short Course proposal

For more information, go to the PDAC Short Courses website.

3. McGill University Short Programs – Summer Studies in Montreal

The McGill University School of Continuing Studies offers one-of-a-kind summer studies experience in Montreal, Canada, with unique programs designed to provide international students with the chance to learn new skills both in and outside the classroom, gain indispensable knowledge, and benefit from an international experience that will help shape their future.

The summer programs include:

• • Aerospace Engineering
  • Business Analytics
  • Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Business
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship
  • International Business
  • International Marketing Using the Internet
  • Introduction to Big Data
  • Leadership, Machine Learning
  • Project Management
  • Social Media and Digital Communications in Business
  • English Immersion Summer Program
  • Intensive English Language and Culture
  • Intensive French Language and Culture

To participate in these programs, an English proficiency test result of TOEFL iBT 79 or equivalent is required. For more information, visit https://summer.scs.mcgill.ca/en/.

4. Centennial College Graduate Certificate Programs

Over the past 50 years, Centennial College has transformed itself from a local community college to a worldly institution, with a presence in countries like China, India, South Korea and Brazil. Its focus has always been on preparing graduates to enter the work force, while teaching the students to be leaders.

Locally, Centennial College continues to offer industry-recognized full and part-time programs at four Toronto campuses. Whether in classrooms, labs or the community, Centennial students experience the real world before they even graduate.

As a leader in internationalization, Centennial has done extensive work teaching international students. At the same time, the College enables more Canadian learners to have an international adventure, be it completing a semester in Spain, an internship in South Africa or a Global Citizenship learning experience in the Amazon Basin.

Centennial’s Graduate Certificate programs are affordable, short in duration and many provide opportunities for hands-on work, internships and placements with prospective employers. Increased competition is a fact of the new global economy and Centennial is ready to help you rise to the challenge.

You are encouraged to consider the programs offered in Centennial. Whether in Business, Hospitality, Tourism and Culture, Engineering Technology, Communications, Media and Design or Health Sciences, you will find a compelling array of programs that – combined with you previous college or university experience – will put you on the fast track to a successful career.

Learn more about the programs on the Centennial College Graduate Certificate Programs web page.

5. Western University Continuing Studies

The University of Western Ontario, also known as the Western University, appeals to students with a broad world view, those seeking to study, engage with and eventually lead in the global community. Students from more than 100 countries share in classroom experiences that broaden personal perspectives and understanding. Beyond campus, students are engaged in a variety of international study-abroad, research and volunteer opportunities.

International activities have been a longstanding priority at Western. The University has a heightened emphasis and investment in these important activities. A primary objective of Western International is to support an environment and community that promotes the education of global-ready graduates.

Western University Continuing Studies provides opportunities for everyone to keep learning at the University. Whether you are pursuing a higher level of education or exploring a new interest, the offered courses at Western University are designed with your career and life aspirations in mind.

For every one of the students, the decision to return to the classroom can be life changing. From recent graduates, professionals, job seekers, corporate clients to seniors and international students, there is an array of choices for lifelong learning.

Instructors at Western offer a variety of learning formats to accommodate your lifestyle and learning style. In collaboration with academic and community partners, Western ensures that you gain current knowledge and learn relevant practices in your field of interest.

Western’s standards reflect the learning experience and quality of courses and programs that the University offers its global community of learners. Flexible programming is offered throughout the year to help you reach your personal and professional goals without having to sacrifice an important part of your life. Make learning work for you with the choice between workshops, lunch and learns, evening classes, immersion, and online courses. Courses are offered at Western’s downtown campus in Citi Plaza, Museum London, Western University, in Trois-Pistoles, Québec, online, and your workplace.

Through innovative leadership in lifelong learning, Western Continuing Studies creates and delivers responsive and accessible programs, including non-credit and credit courses in professional development, post-degree diplomas, French immersion, experiential learning and corporate training.

Offered courses for Fall 2019 intake in Continuing Studies at Western University include Business Analysis, Asserting Yourself Under Pressure, and Strategic Planning.

For further details, visit https://wcs.uwo.ca/.

6. University of Victoria Continuing Studies

The University of Victoria (UVic) is a great place to gain a fresh perspective in your career with a professional education from Continuing Studies at UVic. Whether you want to advance in your current career or are looking for something totally new, Continuing Studies at UVic will give you a new perspective on career training and professional development. The University’s certificate and diploma programs are a perfect balance of theory and practice, and an ideal way to earn the credentials you need to succeed.

The benefits of choosing to study in Continuing Studies at UVic are: quality education from UVic as one of the top universities in Canada; certificate, diploma or Pro-D options; online, on-campus or a blend of both; small class sizes; expert instructors; and practical skills employers are looking for.

Subjects offered by Continuing Studies at UVic include business, environment, health, heritage and culture, languages, public relations, teacher Pro-D, technology, also training and adult education.

Learn more about the program on the Continuing Studies at UVic web page.