AN INTRODUCTION TORYERSON UNIVERSITY
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Ryerson obtaining full university status and the 55th anniversary of its creation. The university’s evolution throughout its history led, in 2002, to an official name change to Ryerson University.
This is a period of growth for Ryerson: Two new facilities (the HEIDELBERG Centre — School of Graphic Communications Management and the Sally Horsfall Eaton Centre for Studies in Community Health) opened last year, adding specialized classroom and laboratory space. Construction on the Centre for Computing and Engineering is scheduled for completion in Fall 2004. Construction will begin in 2004 on a new student centre and a new home for the Continuing Education Division.
Ryerson offers more than 40 undergraduate and graduate programs and has Canada’s largest Continuing Education Division. Throughout its history, Ryerson has maintained its commitment to provide a high standard of professionally relevant education – an approach that combines the traditional university focus on theory with unparalleled career-oriented emphasis on professional practice.
Ryerson offers a variety of undergraduate programs through its faculties of Arts, Business, Communication & Design, Community Services, and Engineering and Applied Science. Degrees offered include Bachelors of: Applied Arts, Applied Science, Architectural Science, Arts, Commerce, Engineering, Fine Arts, Health Administration, Health Science, Interior Design, Journalism, Science, Science in Nursing, Social Work, Technology, and Urban and Regional Planning. Close to 40 different undergraduate degree programs are available within these areas, many of which offer specializations within the individual program.
Ryerson’s curriculum has a unique mix of professional, professionally related and liberal studies course work. In professional and professionally related courses, theory and practice are viewed as partners in the learning process. Lecture material is translated into practice through co-operative education and internship options, laboratory work, field trips, off-campus project work, and regular contact with business and industry. Liberal studies courses enhance students’ capacity to understand the social and cultural environment in which they will function, both as professionals and as educated citizens. Small class sizes enhance the learning process by maximizing student contact with faculty. With an education of this scope and rigour, graduates are uniquely adaptable to challenges and opportunities in their professional field.
Upon graduation, some students may opt to continue their education through one of Ryerson’s nine graduate programs. The School of Graduate Studies was established in July 1999 and enrolment has quickly grown to more than 400. Complete details on Ryerson’s graduate programs can be found at
www.ryerson.ca/graduate.
The Continuing Education Division provides opportunities for adult learners to continue their education or upgrade their professional skills on a part-time basis. The programming strengths of the Division are reflected in its 71 certificate programs and more than 1,000 courses, seminars, and workshops offered yearly in a diverse range of subject areas. Courses are taught by faculty members from within Ryerson, as well as from Toronto’s business, cultural, and academic communities. They bring professional experience and teaching expertise to the classroom.
Degree credit courses may be used for advanced standing in many of our full- and part-time degree programs, while certificate programs let students specialize in a field of study.
Professional relevance is the essence of Ryerson. It characterizes the people, curriculum and facilities that serve Ryerson’s some 40,000 full- and part-time students. It is this special combination that has earned Ryerson the reputation for excellence it enjoys today.
