York University’s School of Continuing Studies Marks a Decade of Innovation and Growth    

Articles Posts about SCS

By Matthew McGrath

This year, the York University School of Continuing Studies is celebrating 10 years of supporting learners advance and establish their careers through practical, accelerated, career-focused professional and language programs.  

Created in 2015 by amalgamating one of North America’s most prominent English Language Institutes (YUELI) with the former Division of Continuing Education (DCE), York established one of the largest schools of its kind in Canada and officially committed to becoming a national and international leader in this field.   

But what began as an ambitious plan to reimagine continuing education has evolved into something far greater—a thriving, supportive community of learners, educators and industry collaborators working together to shape the future of work in Canada. 

On April 24, some of this thriving community came together for an extraordinary celebration!  

Anniversary Celebration at the School of Continuing Studies 

Staff, instructors, business leaders and York officials attended the School’s 10th-anniversary event at the SCS building. The event began with a plenary session featuring opening remarks from Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies at York University, followed by a speech from Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University.  

The session also featured a panel discussion where program instructors and business leaders Craig Stanley and Dezi Singh joined Brooks-Cappadocia and Michelle Aarons, executive director of programs and partnerships at the School, on stage. The four participants reflected on 10 years of continuing studies at York and the School’s mission of supporting the Canadian labour market. 

The event also included a viewing of the School’s 10-year celebratory video.  

Christine Brooks-Cappadocia ended the live portion of the event by announcing the debut of her new podcast, Successfully Ambiguous? The first four episodes are now live. Listen to it here!  

If you missed the event, you can watch the stream here!  

Looking back on 10 years of continuing studies at York  

“When we established the School in 2015, our goal was to develop a new model for continuing professional education that addressed critical skills gaps by connecting industry with the classroom, theory and real-world application, and functional expertise with transferable skills”, says Christine Brooks-Cappadocia, assistant vice-president of continuing studies at York University. “Ten years later, this vision remains at the heart of everything we do but has expanded to address our employer partners’ full range of talent recruitment, retention, and renewal goals. The School’s ability to connect the needs of the employer community with educational best practice has the power to transform the Canadian workforce.”   

In 10 years, the School has helped thousands of learners from dozens of countries upskill or establish careers in Canada and beyond. Other significant achievements in the School’s history include:   

Introducing four new industry-aligned programs  

Coinciding with its anniversary, the School is launching four innovative programs that reflect its continued commitment to future-ready education:  

  • Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital Construction Management: Students will gain hands-on training in AI-powered workflow automation, 3D modeling and Building Information Modeling (BIM), preparing them for high-demand roles such as construction manager, project coordinator or estimator. This program addresses the critical need for construction professionals with knowledge of emerging technologies and project management skills to support construction productivity and sustainability in response to Canada’s housing needs.   
     
  • Advanced Post-Graduate Certificate in Cyber Operations and Ethical Hacking: This is the School’s first full-time, two-year program designed to equip learners with practical defensive and offensive cybersecurity skills through hands-on projects that mirror real-world challenges. This program was developed in collaboration with industry professionals and aims to help fill the surging demand for cybersecurity experts.   
     
  • Post-Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials: Students will gain hands-on experience observing live clinical trials while developing essential data analysis skills, preparing them for diverse roles in clinical research. This program will contribute to Canada’s position as a clinical trials leader and help fill the demand for professionals skilled in healthcare data management.   
     
  • Certificate in Penetration Testing: This part-time program offers students a practical education in ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment and exploit development, equipping them with skills that translate directly into the workplace. It also addresses the growing demand for cybersecurity experts, as organizations increasingly need professionals to identify and mitigate digital security risks.   
     

Integrated Year One program scales to more faculties  

The Integrated Year One Program has quickly become a model for inclusive academic pathways at York University. Initially launched in partnership with the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), the program provides international students with an IELTS score between 5.5 and 6.0 (or equivalent) the opportunity to begin undergraduate studies while advancing their academic English skills.  

Following its strong outcomes—measured through improved student performance, higher engagement, and increased retention—the program is now expanding to include the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. This growth signals both the program’s success and York’s commitment to reducing barriers to education, ensuring that more international students have access to a supportive, integrated entry into their academic journeys. By aligning language development with degree progress, Integrated Year One sets students up for long-term success in their studies and future careers.  

Looking ahead toward the next 10 years  

As the School enters its second decade, it is also deepening its support for the employer community—organizations that have been integral to its journey. By opening new channels for collaboration, the School is inviting industry partners to help shape the next wave of education, talent development and workforce renewal. 

Always forward-looking, the next phase of the School’s mandate is focused on becoming a full-cycle solution for organizations ready to build their workforce. The School’s B2B solutions aim to connect employers with professionals by sourcing job-ready talent, upskilling existing teams and designing custom programs. More full-time and part-time programs are in development and will be announced later this year. 

The School’s leaders and staff remain committed to shaping the future of work in Canada—empowering professionals, recent graduates and new Canadians to reach their full potential.