Find the answers to common questions here. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact us.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes are a national network of university-quality lifelong learning programs funded with the generous support of the Bernard Osher Foundation. The Foundation supports the development of programs targeted toward more mature students, many of who enjoy a robust retirement life, keep active and seek learning environments for the joy of learning and connecting to others in their community. There are currently 112 Osher Institutes established at colleges and universities across the United States.
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ASU began offering community-based lifelong learning courses in 2001 in Sun City Grand. With its first Osher Foundation grant in March 2004, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute was founded and began the development of community-based lifelong learning programs across the metro Phoenix area. Continued funding in 2005 lead to the rapid expansion of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute programs. From an initial offering of 20 courses to 200 students, the Institute has grown to today’s 200 short courses, lectures and workshops attended by over 1,300 older learners across multiple sites: ASU’s West and Polytechnic campuses, Sun City and Sun City Grand. In 2006, ASU became the proud recipient of a $1 million endowment from the Bernard Osher Foundation that will be used to improve communication across the sites and fund additional locations.
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Each ASU lifelong learning community determines the fee structure that best suits its community. Costs range from $35-$50 registration fee per semester. Students then pay $10 per class (although some courses have additional material or contractor fees).
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First, you receive university-quality programming and registration in the convenience of your own community.
Next, part of your registration fee goes to enroll you as a student at Arizona State University and to activate your ASU student benefits.
These include:
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- ASU Libraries material checkout
- student discounts at select events
- discounted parking on the West campus
- receipt of our program's newsletter that keeps you up to date on ASU happenings and lifelong learning news, travel, and educational opportunities at both the local and national level.
Anyone can sign up for the ASU programs on the West and Polytechnic campuses.
Sun City and Sun City Grand begin their registration for community residents, and then open courses to the general public on the second or third day of registration (please see individual catalogs).
At present, the programs at Sun City Anthem Merrill Ranch and Sun City Festival are open only to community residents.
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To register for ASU on-campus programs, mail the registration form or contact us.
All other registrations are held at community sites on the dates indicated in the catalogs. To speed your registration, you can download registration forms and fill them out before bringing them to the registration site.
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ASU lifelong learning courses are taught by ASU faculty and staff, members of the ASU Emeritus College, and talented community instructors who are now retired educators and practitioners that bring a lifetime’s worth of experience, research and knowledge to the classroom. If you are interested in teaching at one of our sites, please contact the Program Director, Dr. Diane Gruber, at dgruber@asu.edu or 602.543.6644.
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The heart of our program begins with a vibrant group of volunteers who are dedicated to providing quality education for their communities. If you are interested in working with us, please contact your individual community site coordinator, the Lifelong Learning offices at 602.543.6440, or email us at lifelonglearning@asu.edu.
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