Capilano University: Programs, Courses, and Campus Life

Capilano University (CapU) is a teaching-focused public university located in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Situated on the slopes of the North Shore Mountains, CapU also extends its programming to serve the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and the Sunshine Coast. Capilano University is committed to developing new and innovative programs in response to market demand.

History and Designation

Originally founded as Capilano College in 1968, the institution was established by school boards and residents of the North Shore and Howe Sound. This initiative addressed the need for a public institution serving the communities northwest of Vancouver. Initial enrolment was 784 students. In 2008, the province of British Columbia officially changed Capilano College's designation to Capilano University. By 2019, the university had grown to enrol approximately 12,700 students per year.

The school boards of North and West Vancouver, Howe Sound and Sechelt formed a committee to determine the need for a community college to serve the region. The proposal to build a college on the North Shore passed by a plebiscite in North and West Vancouver and the Howe Sound in 1968. The provincial government granted approval, and Capilano College had its name selected from submissions made by North Shore residents, in honour of Chief Joe Capilano of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Coast Salish nation.

Capilano College opened on September 10, 1968, with 784 students attending classes after hours at West Vancouver Secondary. In 1970, construction began on the North Vancouver campus in the Lynnmour area. Three years later, the permanent North Vancouver campus opened with 1,965 students in attendance. The first vocational programs were offered in portable buildings brought from West Vancouver Secondary. The first permanent structure at the North Vancouver campus, the original library building, also opened.

In 1975 Capilano College opened the Squamish Learning Centre and Community Information Services at 38038 Cleveland Avenue in Squamish. In 1976, the Arbutus building opened at the North Vancouver campus and the Fir building opened in 1982. In 1991, the Cedar building, the Sportsplex, and Horticulture building were completed. Two years later, a new library replaced the former at the North Vancouver campus, tripling the size of existing library space. In 1996, the Birch building at the North Vancouver campus was completed, housing a performance theatre, classrooms, student services, and teaching space.

Capilano College offered its first bachelor degree, a collaborative degree in music therapy, with the British Columbia Open University in 1990 and added a second music degree in jazz studies in 1992. Business administration degrees were first offered in 1993. That year, Capilano College also conferred its first associate degrees, which are now available to students in a variety of subject areas from Interdisciplinary Arts, Creative Writing, English, Global Stewardship, Psychology, Interdisciplinary Sciences and Biology.

The college was authorized by the provincial government in 2003 to become the first college in British Columbia to independently grant applied degrees after the dissolution of the B.C. Open University. In 2004, Capilano College was also named by the provincial government as host of the British Columbia Centre for Tourism Leadership and Innovation, in preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Academic Programs and Courses

Capilano University's academic offerings encompass a wide range of nationally and internationally recognized programs in liberal arts, professional fields, and career training. These programs lead to degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The university is well known for providing a solid academic foundation and is committed to developing new and innovative programs in response to market demand. CapU offers a complete range of preparatory courses, arts and sciences courses, business and management studies, creative and applied arts programs, health and human services programs, plus a range of services in support of student learning and success.

Creative problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills along with personal and aesthetic values are essential for a successful career in fields as diverse as film, animation, jazz, theatre or visual arts. The dynamic programs of Capilano University’s Fine and Applied Arts provide students the opportunity to develop skills for success in the contemporary fine and applied arts.

Capilano University's degree programs are approved by the Government of British Columbia's Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. The degree-granting powers of the university are legislated by British Columbia's University Act.

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Campus Locations and Facilities

Capilano University operates several campuses to serve its diverse student population:

North Vancouver Campus

The main campus is located at 2055 Purcell Way in North Vancouver. It is approximately a 30-minute drive from Downtown Vancouver. The majority of the programs are offered at this campus. The North Vancouver campus is surrounded by a lush forest and fresh mountain air, and is an inspiring setting in which students are able to learn and grow.

Squamish Campus

The CapU Squamish campus, located at 3200 University Boulevard, Squamish, British Columbia, opened in Fall 2024. The 18-acre purpose-built campus includes academic teaching and learning spaces, student housing, a dining area, a library, an athletic centre and a FIFA-grade turf field. The CapU student residences currently accommodate up to 293 students.

The Capilano University Squamish campus has three buildings dedicated to student residence, providing over 200 rooms for student housing. The buildings are clustered together, where students can study, dine, socialize and relax.

Future Developments

The real estate development company, Woodbridge Northwest Communities, is proposing a Capilano University Village including a six-floor condominium tower, three and four-floor townhouses, 60 dormitories for CapU students, and an amenities building at the North Vancouver campus. Another North Vancouver developer is offering to build rental apartments exclusively for Capilano University's students and staff. Darwin Properties has submitted an application to build 346 units of rental housing in two six-storey buildings.

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Student Life and Activities

At Capilano University, there’s always something exciting to do. From student clubs and peer mentoring opportunities to film screenings and live performances at the BlueShore Theatre, there is no shortage of student activities available both on and off campus.

Athletics

Between 1974 and 1999, the Capilano Blues won the CCAA Soccer Supremacy Award for both men's and women's soccer. Capilano University has six men's and women's varsity sports teams, the Capilano Blues, that play at the provincial and national levels.

Student Media

The main student newspaper, The Capilano Courier, is staffed by students and operates independently of the university and the student society. The university faculty established The Capilano Review in 1972. It is an arts journal highlighting poetry, fiction, drama, and visual art. The university also founded Capilano University Editions (CUE) in 2008, a book publishing imprint of the Capilano Press Society focusing on Canadian avant garde writing and art.

Capilano Students' Union (CSU)

Every student enrolled in a credit program at Capilano University is a member of the Capilano Students' Union (CSU). The CSU is the resident student society of Capilano University and benefits the university and the community by advancing the interests of students. Like other student societies in British Columbia, the CSU's mandate is to advocate for students and provide services and events that improve the student experience.

While the day-to-day management and operations are entrusted to a board of directors composed of elected students, governed by the constitution and bylaws of the society, students are ultimately in control of the activities of the CSU. The board of directors consists of five vice-presidents, seven liaisons representing special interest groups, two representatives for each faculty, four senate representatives, and two representatives to the university's board of governors. The CSU is registered under the Society Act of B.C.

The CSU provides services to its members, including a low-cost transit pass, free day planner, a used book sale, and health and dental benefits.

Faculty and Recognition

Faculty affiliated with Capilano University include 1 Civitella Ranieri fellow, 1 Andrew A. Mellon fellow, 1 fellow of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, 3 Killam Prize recipients, 10 SSHRC fellows, 2 NSERC fellows, 3 Governor General's Award recipients, 2 Gemini Award winners, 1 Juno Award winner, 1 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award winner, and 2 members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.

Mission and Learning Environment

Capilano University prides itself on its hands-on approach to learning and problem solving. The university offers students small, interactive classes that are geared towards both learning about and addressing real-world challenges. Students build the skills, knowledge and experience to launch their career with confidence through individual attention and personalized learning. It is the mission of Capilano University to ensure that their students come first - both while at Capilano, and throughout the workforce.

Studying at Capilano University makes students a part of a growing community of lifelong learners. Their instructors are professionals who practice what they teach in the field. Classes have 25 students on average, so instructors can give individualized support and attention to every student in a class. Capilano University instructors have credentials in fields from Business and Music to Applied Behavior Analysis and Tourism, with connections forged through years of work experience within their respective fields.

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