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
- Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.