Liberal Arts and 55+ program
SFU’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program has been offering intellectually rich non-credit courses to older adult learners since the 1970s. Offered year-round, our courses cover topics ranging from art and literature to history, science, philosophy and more.
Classes are open to learners of all ages, with a tuition discount for those 55+.
Please note that upon guidance from the , we now charge GST on Liberal Arts and 55+ courses.
Fall 2025 courses
Watch for our September and October courses to be announced at the end of July. Registration will open the week of August 18.
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Tuition assistance
Online Learning
Donate
If you’re 55+, you’re eligible to enroll in the Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate. This optional program will allow you to:
- Deepen your learning by writing a reflective essay at the end each course
- Earn a certificate that confers SFU alumnus status along with its benefits
- Take any Liberal Arts and 55+ courses you wish
- Complete the program at your own pace
New to online learning or need help writing an essay? Register for a free online class.
Program details
Format
Part-time
Location
Vancouver, online
Program completion
No time limit
Complete 128 contact hours (usually 10–12 courses)
Course duration
4–6 weeks (2 contact hours/week)
Courses
Choose 10-12 courses offered by Liberal Arts and 55+ program
Schedule
Courses offered in all 3 SFU terms:
–A
Ѳ–Jܲ
–D
Essay requirements
Complete a 1,000- to 1,500-word essay at end of each course
Tuition
Pay individual course fee + $20 essay marking fee/course
Tuition assistance
Email csla@sfu.ca for details on available financial support
How to enroll
When you register for any course, check the box for “Liberal Arts for 55+ Certificate essay marking fee” on the checkout screen before paying for the course.
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For one keen group of students in the Liberal Arts and 55+ program, taking the plunge into online learning has led to the creation of a supportive writing community.
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A dedicated lifelong learner, Hugh Lindsay has taken 70 courses in SFU’s Liberal Arts and 55+ Program over the past 15 years. For his 69th course, he enrolled in something unexpected: the art of stand-up comedy.
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When the pandemic began, Patricia Roth felt her world shrink to the walls of her Ottawa home. While everything around her shut down, she was still able to keep her mind active, thanks to online learning.
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