The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is an inclusive community of more than 2,100 adults who share a love of learning. By becoming a member, you’ll join peers who seek to foster connection, exploration, and engagement. We take pride in providing an excellent lifelong learning experience for our members.
Mission Statement: OLLI at Duke fosters a dynamic community of lifelong learners through educational programs, social engagement, and volunteer opportunities that inspire curiosity, connection, and growth.
Connect with others who share your love of learning.
Explore new ideas and activities.
Challenge yourself.
Build community with your peers.
No Tests, No Grades, Plenty to Discover through OLLI at Duke
For nearly 50 years, OLLI at Duke has offered lifelong learning opportunities for adults in the second half of life. More than 2,100 members participate each year in courses, lectures, educational travel, volunteer opportunities, social events and special interest groups. Read the story on Duke Today >
Each year, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) offers more than 200 courses across three terms: fall, spring, and summer. Our Curriculum Committee, comprised of dedicated members, carefully reviews and selects courses to ensure a diverse and engaging program. Course topics are inspired by member suggestions, as well as contributions from instructors and advisors, providing a balanced selection that offers something for everyone.
Our courses typically cover the following areas:
- Art and Architecture
- Economics & Public Policy
- Hands-On Art
- History: Past & Present
- Literature and Languages
- Performing Arts
- Photography
- Religion & Philosophy
- Science & Technology
- Society and Culture
- Wellness Activities
- Writing
OLLI’s unique set of excellent and passionate instructors come from diverse backgrounds, including retired faculty from Duke and nearby institutions, graduate and postdoctoral students, working artists, local business owners, independent scholars, and the occasional politician.
Do you have a suggestion for a course topic or know someone who would make a great OLLI instructor? Please reach out to Jenny Levine at [email protected].
| Course | Time | Tuition | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build Your Strength With VivoONLINE: Muscle strength and balance are critical to maintaining health and independence as we age. Without additional strength training, most older adults will suffer a loss of muscle tone that can negatively impact their balance… - |
9:00AM - 10:00AM | $90.00 | Future Offering |
In-Person Courses
Online Courses
Special Events and Workshops include mini courses, lectures, tours, and social gatherings for members. These events are designed to complement the institute's regular courses and offer opportunities for members to connect with one another and the wider community.
Details about upcoming Special Events and Workshops are shared in the member newsletter and catalog.
Workshops
Find your course links for Duke OLLI courses in the Student and Instructor Portal
OLLI Registration
Viewing OLLI at Duke Course Catalog Online
Joining OLLI at Duke is simple! Annual membership dues are $60. Memberships can be purchased March 1 and are valid through June 30 of the following calendar year; please note that dues are nonrefundable.
Membership benefits
Membership includes access to:
- Register for engaging, non-credit courses
- Participate in special lectures and events
- Join Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
- Volunteer opportunities
- Social gatherings and activities
- Exclusive travel opportunities with OLLI at Duke
- An invitation to the OLLI Member Directory
- An invitation to four OLLI webinars per year
How to join
There are two easy ways to become an OLLI at Duke member:
- During registration: The online registration system will automatically add a new membership to your cart when you enroll in courses.
- From our website: Click here to add a current membership to your cart.
For questions or assistance, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Dates
Summer 2026 registration:
For classes held on Monday and Tuesday, registration opens Tuesday, April 14 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
For classes held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridays, registration opens Wednesday, April 15 at 9:00 a.m. ET.
Registration remains open through the first week of the course. To transfer or drop a course, please email [email protected]. Please refer to the refund policy for more information.
Check out the video below for a demo of how to register for an OLLI course. The OLLI at Duke FAQ page lists questions about the registration process.
Enrollment and Waitlists
Course capacities are set by instructors, staff, and parking limitations. Most online courses have higher enrollment limits, while in-person courses tend to be smaller and fill quickly. You can find the maximum enrollment for each course at the bottom of its description. Click the Courses tab on this website to review course profiles.
If a course reaches capacity, members can join an automated waitlist. When a spot becomes available, the system will invite the next person on the waitlist via email.
Members will have 48 hours from the time the email is sent to accept the spot and complete payment. If no action is taken, the offer will expire and the member will move to the bottom of the waitlist. The spot will then be offered to the next person on the list.
Payments
Courses are individually priced, with fees (including any materials costs) listed in the course catalog and on each course's profile page on this website.
Payment of course fees is required at the time of registration and must be made by credit card. Please note that checks are not accepted.
OLLI’s refund policy can be found on the OLLI Policies page.
Scholarship Support
OLLI at Duke offers need-based Community Memberships to support access to lifelong learning. Financial assistance does not apply to Experiential Education. To apply or learn more, email [email protected]. All requests are confidential.
All OLLI events are in Eastern Time (ET). Please read carefully as all dates are subject to change.
| When | Event |
|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | |
April 3 | Last day of Spring 2026 |
April 6-10 | Makeup week |
May 3 | Last day to watch Spring 2026 course recordings |
| Summer 2026 | |
March 25 | Catalog Published |
April 14 | Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., ET |
April 15 | Registration opens at 9:00 a.m., ET |
April 16 | Zoom Basics and Refresher for members, 10 a.m., ET |
April 30 | New Member Welcome Event |
| May 1 | Summer 2026 Kickoff Speaker and Social |
May 4 | First day of term |
| May 25 | Memorial Day - OLLI closed; no classes |
June 15 | Last day of term |
June 16-18 | Makeup week |
June 19 | Juneteenth - OLLI closed; no classes |
| July 15 | Last day to watch term course recordings |
OLLI at Duke keeps members informed and engaged through our weekly newsletter.
The OLLI newsletter provides updates about upcoming events, special workshops, and course registration details. Click here to sign up for our newsletters and stay in the loop.
Online Learning Website
OLLI at Duke has developed a dedicated website for online learning activities. This site features Zoom how-to guides, technical assistance requests, and details about the current term. Visit the site at https://www.olliatduke.online for more information.
Our online courses are taught via Zoom. Links to your class can be found in your Student Portal by logging in at the top right of this website.
Most in-person courses are taught at our classroom facility at the Judea Reform Congregation, 1933 W Cornwallis Rd. Durham, NC, 27705, unless otherwise noted in the course description.