Older adults learning how to use computers in class

Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning at College of DuPage incorporates the best of what enrichment has to offer at any age. We offer a mix of courses, workshops, seminars and lectures designed especially for adults 50 and older, in a wide variety of topic areas. A reduced senior rate applies for participants 55 and over. Come join us - new courses begin each week.

Special Event - J. Schreiber History Symposium

Friday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Homeland Security Education Center (HEC), Mock Courtroom 1022

Light refreshments will be served

Please RSVP for this free event.

Fall Course Highlights

In Continuing Education, we believe that learning never stops. Find out all that Lifelong Learning has to offer this spring.

Emily and Mary: The Nature of Poetry and the Poetry of Nature

Born a century apart, Emily Dickinson and Mary Oliver share their love of nature in distinct poetic ways. And while Emily died without selling a single poem, Mary was hailed by the New York Times as “far and away, the country’s best-selling poet.” These women prove that nature and poetry should be enthusiastically celebrated. Instructor: Frank Serafino.
 
Tuesday, Oct. 1 to 22
10 a.m. to noon
CEHUMNT-0001-036, $119, Lifelong Learner $79
On campus in Glen Ellyn

The Rock ’n’ Roll Music Series: From “Good Vibrations” to “Uptown Girl”

Join instructor Gary Wenstrup as he shares the history and music of the biggest music acts of the 1960s and 1970s. Each session will be a multimedia exploration of two or more iconic superstars. Choose one session or enjoy the entire series! Classes are held on Thursdays, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., on campus in Glen Ellyn.
 
The Beach Boys and Chicago
Oct. 10
CEHUMNT-0001-043, $29, Lifelong Learner $19
 
Fleetwood Mac and Carole King
Oct. 24
CEHUMNT-0001-044, $29, Lifelong Learner $19
 
James Taylor, Carly Simon and Rod Stewart
Nov. 7
CEHUMNT-0001-045, $29, Lifelong Learner $19
 
Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder
Nov. 21
CEHUMNT-0001-046, $29, Lifelong Learner $19
 
Willie Nelson and Bob Marley
Dec. 5
CEHUMNT-0001-047, $29, Lifelong Learner $19

The 1944 Battles of the Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf

By the beginning of 1944, the Japanese were on the strategic defensive but still held powerful naval forces threatening the U.S. offensive in the Pacific. Two major battles that year effectively destroyed the Japanese Navy: the Philippine Sea in June and the Leyte Gulf in October. Instructor: Greig Siedor
 
Thursday, Oct. 10 and 17
10:30 a.m. to noon
CEHUMNT-0001-004, $49, Lifelong Learner $29
On campus in Glen Ellyn

Native American Dwellings in our National Park System

From Florida’s Canaveral National Seashore to Mesa Verde National Park and north to Katmai National Park, we explore tribal history through the structures left behind by Native Americans and now protected in our national park system. Instructor: David Kroese
 
Thursday, Oct. 17
1 to 3 p.m.
CEHUMNT-0001-020, $29, Lifelong Learner $19
Virtual classroom

Great Fires of the United States

Many know of the famous fires in Chicago and San Francisco, but have you heard of the fires of Peshtigo, Hinckley, Coconut Grove or Our Lady of Angels? These and other fires have had a major impact on the workplaces, entertainment venues and bodies of water where they occurred. Learn about significant but lesser-known historical fires and why it’s important to understand them today. Instructor: Jay Sternickle
 
Tuesday, Nov. 19
10 a.m. to noon
CEHUMNT-0001-080, $29, Lifelong Learner $19
On campus in Glen Ellyn

Fraud Protection

Protect yourself from fraud—online or by mail or phone. Countless scams exist with one objective: to lure you into schemes that may target your money, credit or identity. Scammers are successful only when people are uninformed, so your best protection is knowledge. Instructor: Jay Sternickle
 
Tuesday, Dec. 3
1 to 4 p.m.
COMPT-0001-008, $39, Lifelong Learner $29
On campus in Glen Ellyn

The Plus 50 Program

Continuing Education has developed a series of streamlined classes designed with experiences and skills of adult learners in mind. Learn more about the 50 Program.

  • Career Search for Plus 50 - Monday, Sept. 23 to Oct. 28
  • Career Readiness: Beyond the Resume - Monday, Nov. 4 to Dec. 9
  • Self-Discovery for Plus 50 - Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Dec. 10

Free Enrichment for Lifelong Learners

Enjoy the topics and the company! Continuing Education presents free lectures and discussions through our Sage Series and Lunch Break Lectures. Join us for an inspired selection of new topics.

Sage Series

Sessions are free. Registration is required.
For full descriptions and locations, view the current Schedule of Classes.

  • Behind the Scenes at the MAC - Wednesday, Oct. 23
  • The Stars: Their Birth, Life and Death - Saturday, Oct. 19 
  • The Twilight Zone: Six Degrees of Separation - Friday, Oct. 25
  • Inside COD' Culinary and Hospitality Center - Thursday, Nov. 7 and 14. Cancelled this fall due to scheduling conflicts

Lunch Break Lectures

Sessions are free. Registration is required. All lectures are Wednesdays from noon to 1 p.m. and are held on our main campus in Glen Ellyn

  • Sept. 4 - The Tudors
  • Sept. 18 - The Beatles "Abbet Road"
  • Oct. 2 - Women in the Civil War
  • Oct. 16 - The Glory Days of the Automobile
  • Oct. 30 - 1970s Right-Wing Rising
  • Nov. 13 - Politics Among Nations
  • Dec. 4 - The Amazing Plantagenets

Virtual Ventures

Sessions are free. Registration is required. All lectures are Thursdays from noon to 1 p.m. and are held online via Zoom.

  • Sept. 26 - Using AI with Jay Sternickle
  • Oct. 24 - The Owls of DuPage County with Jack MacRae
  • Nov. 21  - The Story of the Dickson Mounds with Jack MacRae
  • Dec. 12 - Vintage Print Advertising with Richard Wilders

Share Your Passion and Experience

College of DuPage Continuing Education is seeking community members who are interested in facilitating Lifelong Learning courses and seminars! Call (630) 942-2208 for assistance with completing a New Course Proposal Form.

Lifelong Learning Scholarship Fund

Limited scholarship funds are available to assist Lifelong Learners who choose to participate in Continuing Education programs. If you are interested in contributing to this fund, choose "Lifelong Learning Programs" on the College of DuPage Foundation donation page or call (630) 942-2462. 

Contact Information

Continuing Education
Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1110
(630) 942-2208
Fax: (630) 942-3785
Email: CE@cod.edu

Front Desk Hours
  • Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Office hours may vary due to holidays and staff coverage.