Getting Started
First Time Using Canvas? You will be required to create a password for Canvas. Please follow the directions below to setup your Canvas account:
Go to https://go.smu.edu/canvas and Select "New to SMU CAPE Canvas? Forgot Password?" (See image below)
Enter the user name you created during enrollment and an email will be sent to the email address on record with instructions on setting up your Canvas password.
Forgot User Name? Please visit the SMU CAPE Student Portal and select "Forgot User Name" and your user name will be sent to the preferred email address we have on file.
Instructors: Visit the SMU CAPE Instructor Portal and select "Forgot User Name" and an email will be sent to your preferred email address containing your Instructor User Name.
Return to the Canvas login screen (https://go.smu.edu/canvas) and log-in with your User Name and the Canvas Password you just created.
NOTE: If your instructor has not published their course you may not see any courses available, courses are usually published shortly before or on the first day of class.
If you experience any issues logging in or accessing your online courses, please contact the SMU Help Desk For faster service, mention you are taking courses with SMU Continuing and Professional Education (CAPE).
Student Support
How Do I Access 24/7 Help @ SMU
SMU has contracted Instructure, the company behind Canvas, to provide 24/7/365 Tier1 support for all SMU students, in fully online, hybrid, and residential student communities.
Students can access this 24/7/365 support through the help menu in the lower left corner of the SMU Canvas interface (global navigation). This Canvas support allows for uninterrupted tech support for all students when the on campus Help Desk is closed.
There are two choices for reaching 24/7/365 support, phone or chat.
(The chat option will provide you with the option to have your completed chat session emailed to you in digest form for future reference.)

Documentation and Training
Canvas Guides for Students:
Video Tutorials
- Intructure.com: Canvas Video Guide
Canvas Guides for Instructors:
1:1 Training for Instructors
Click the button below to schedule a 1:1 Canvas training session.
Also available:
- OIT Upcoming On-Campus Training
- Offerings Training from Instructure
Online Training and Tutorials for Instructors
- Canvas Video Guide from Instructure
- Learn Canvas 2019 with Oliver Schinkten
- Canvas: Tips, Tricks, & Techniques with Oliver Schinkten
- Learning to Teach Online with Oliver Schinkten
- Elearning Essentials: Instructional Design with Samantha Calamari
- SMU Training-On-Demand: Canvas: An Introduction & Managing Modules
- SMU Training-On-Demand: Canvas: Adding Essential Course Content
How Do I Access 24/7 Help @ SMU
SMU has contracted Instructure, the company behind Canvas, to provide 24/7/365 Tier1 support for all SMU faculty, staff, and students for use by fully online, hybrid, and residential student communities.
Instructors can access this 24/7/365 support through the help menu in the lower left corner of the SMU Canvas interface. This Canvas support allows for uninterrupted tech support for all, when the on campus Help Desk is closed.
There are two choices for reaching 24/7/365 support, phone or chat. (The chat option will provide you with the option to have your completed chat session emailed to you in digest form for future reference.)