7 Best College Courses for Older Adults

It’s easier than ever for older adults to take college courses — online or in person. Here’s how to do it and what classes to take

Matt Swenson,

AARP

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Published September 03, 2025

A photo illustration shows an older adult male working at a laptop in a classroom in front of a light-blue and pink background, sharing a laugh with an instructor

AARP (Getty Images)

College is often considered the best time of your life. You’re away from home, making new friends, catching live sports live and maybe even falling in love — all the while learning about science, history, art … and yourself.

Wish you could go back? You actually can. Many older Americans winding down full-time careers or enjoying retirement take courses at colleges and universities — in person and online.

The best part: It’s good for you. By engaging in new subjects, socializing with people in and outside of class and generally staying active, college students age 50-plus are taking care of themselves, says Mark Supiano, M.D., geriatrician with the University of Utah’s Hospital Geriatrics Clinic, who emphasizes that college courses can boost brain health.

If you’re ready to head back to school, there’s a nationwide consortium of academic institutions that offers classes designed for older adults. Here’s what you need to know to get started, along with expert advice on what courses can keep your brain happy and healthy.

College courses designed for older adults

While libraries, community centers and other local spots often offer art classes, book clubs, lectures and more, many colleges and universities have increasingly shifted their attention to attract older individuals eager to learn.

Many of the country’s best known and respected higher education institutions are part of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Network, a consortium of more than 120 colleges and universities that receive grants and endowments to provide educational opportunities for older adults.

Courses cover a range of topics, from the Civil War to film to artificial intelligence, and are generally under $100 or even free. They can be one-off lectures, run several weeks or span a traditional semester.

“Every university has a different take, but they utilize their unique assets in that community to their greatest advantage,” says Steve Thaxton, executive director of the National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes, based at Northwestern University.

While the courses are designed for older learners, some universities offer the opportunity to take courses with undergraduates, if you’d rather have an intergenerational college experience.

Here’s what the experts say are the best subjects for older adults and some online classes you can sign up for later this month (check with your local university for in-person classes).

History keeps your memory strong

This is the most popular subject for older learners, according to OLLI statistics. What makes them great for adults 50-plus? The classes often require students to learn dates and facts that triggered dramatic events, and that kind of memorization exercise can help with everyday life, says Vonetta Dotson, chief of neuropsychology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and president and CEO of CerebroFit Integrated Brain Health, which provides clinical, educational and consultation services to promote brain health and wellness.

“Since memorizing requires sustained concentration, repeated memorization can help train your brain to filter distractions and stay on task,” Dotson says.

Classes to consider:

Lessons from the Vietnam War (University of Minnesota)
The African American Military Experience: From Revolution to Civil Rights (Osher National Resource Center at Northwestern University)
Four Important Events in 20th Century History (Drake University)

Current events use old knowledge to interpret new information

While learning about the past offers perspective on the present, there’s something to be said for bringing your lifetime of knowledge to the discussion of modern times. Dotson says taking on a familiar subject like government or social studies is a valuable exercise for the brain.

“When it comes to choosing courses, you can get the most brain benefits from a combination of courses in a new subject that challenge your brain, and courses that expand your knowledge in a familiar subject and build expertise,” she says.

Jared Swerzenski, director of OLLI at Arizona State University, says some schools, including ASU, offer topics that often spark great classroom debate. For example, discussing how to interpret the Constitution tends to foster interaction and socialization among classmates.

Classes to consider:

Climate Change. Now What? (University of Minnesota)
Beyoncé and Her Cultural Significance (University of Pittsburgh)
Critical Challenges of Our Time in Law, Government and Policy (American University)
Dogwhistles and Figleaves: The Impact of Social Change on Language (University of Michigan)

Arts and music for mental health

Learning a new skill, like an art, is fundamental to aging well, says Dotson. “Creative activities encourage the brain to generate new ideas, make novel connections and think in nonlinear ways,” she notes.

In a 2024 University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, 98 percent of respondents said they benefit in at least one health-related way from engaging with music; 65 percent said it helps their mental health or mood.

Apart from OLLI, you can often find art classes at your local community center, library or museum.

Classes to consider:

Drawing Workshop (Rutgers University)
Intro to Woodworking (University of Georgia)
Easy Guitar: Play for Joy (University of Delaware)
The Music That Made America (American University)

Science and technology to fend off loneliness

Few things change as much in a lifetime as the tools we use. A generation ago, the internet was emerging, followed by the rise of social media and how we consume information. Today’s hot topic is artificial intelligence, which many schools offer at least one course on. Gaining familiarity with new technology can have significant health benefits, according to a 2024 study from the Gerontological Society of America, which found technology decreases loneliness and offers social support.

The evolving nature of science and technology make them apt subjects to push your brain, says Dotson. “Novelty is great for the brain. When you build a new skill set or learn something new, you challenge your brain to adapt,” she says. “Learning something new also triggers the release of dopamine, a brain chemical linked to motivation, pleasure, attention and memory.”

Classes to consider:

How Smart Is Today’s AI? An Introduction to Chatbots and Digital Assistants (Arizona State University)
Artificial Intelligence and Art (University of Utah)
Science in the News (Drake University)

Literature to slow cognitive decline

A 2021 study by the International Psychogeriatric Association confirms what bookworms have always known: Reading keeps the brain active and slows cognitive decline. Going a step further, 2022 research by the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign concluded that making reading a regular habit can strengthen memory skills, which in turn improves mental health.

There is a world of words to explore in university literature classes. Many schools offer book-clubbish atmospheres and feature works by local authors, delve into classic works by the likes of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen and highlight emerging talent.

Classes to consider:

Gen Z Speaks: Literature’s Newest Stars (Arizona State University)
Poetry About Growing Up and Growing Older (American University)
Grappling with The Great Gatsby (North Carolina State University)

Health and wellness for better sleep and lower anxiety

In line with the Centers for Disease Control’s findings that physical activity encourages better sleep and reduces anxiety and blood pressure, many schools encourage healthy aging through wellness and exercise courses. Thaxton says a popular hiking-based program at Vanderbilt University promotes physical fitness and social interaction while getting in touch with nature.

“You can make new friends that you wouldn’t have met otherwise,” says Rachel Wu, an associate professor at the University of California, Riverside, who focuses on learning and cognitive ability. “It’s nice to have people to talk to with similar interests and life stages.”

Science-based health classes can provide lifelong learners with increased knowledge about nutrition and self-care, too.

Classes to consider:

Journey to Wellness (University of Delaware)
Decoding Food Labels: The Nutrition Science Behind Your Grocery Store Visits (Arizona State University)
Public Health in Action: Addressing Stress, Equity & Solution (Osher National Resource Center at Northwestern University)

Religion and spirituality for reflection

As people age, they may think more about the concept of a higher power. A 2022 study from the University of Michigan shows that 80 percent of adults ages 50 to 80 say their spiritual beliefs are important in their lives, and 71 percent of adults in that age group say religion is important to them. The research says that activities associated with religion offer opportunities for emotional support and can be correlated with improved physical and mental health.

Schools in the OLLI program nurture this interest and the potential benefits with courses that explore world religions and spirituality.

Classes to consider: