Education and Classes for Older Adults and Seniors
Below are educational programs and classes for older adults and seniors in Greater Cleveland, Akron, and Northeast Ohio. If you know of additional services or places that should be added, send your suggestions to [email protected].
Find more 55+ resources at our Thrive Directory.
If you’re 60 or better, you can build skills, explore new ideas, enhance understanding and enrich life by attending any state college or university, thanks to the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Lifelong Learning program. (At some locations, students as young as 50 can participate for free).
Each Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) or Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) is a community-based organization of retirement-age people who are committed to lifelong learning. These non-credit academic programs are structured with regular semesters and coursework. You just don’t have to worry about what grade you’ll earn!
Of course, if you prefer hands-on experiences and adventures to books and lectures, there are also plenty of enrichment opportunities to choose from.
The Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) at BW offers older adults the opportunity to continue learning in an informal, flexible and non-competitive college environment. Offering non-credit, college-level courses on various topics, the BW ILR provides an accessible and inexpensive educational and social experience.
ilrbw.org
440-826-3188
ILR-East offers courses at Temple Emanu El in Orange Village. This all-volunteer endeavor makes the program enjoyable and successful.https://www.bw.edu/community/institute-learning-retirement/ilr-
bw.edu/alumni/organ
440-826-2400
Siegal Lifelong Learning offers personal enrichment courses and lectures, continuing professional studies opportunities, and educational travel to national and international destinations. Programs are offered in various locations on campus, in their Beachwood facility and online.
Lifelong Learning: case.edu/lifelonglearning
Continuing Professional Studies: case.edu/cps
Course Audit Program for Senior Citizens case.edu/seniorauditprogram/
216-368-2091
- Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C): Encore 55+ Learning (Various Locations)
Many programs and courses are available through Encore 55+ Learning at Tri-C. For more than 45 years, Tri-C has provided those 55 and older with a unique learning experience without homework, tests or books with three ways to learn:
1) Encore Campus Fridays Experience Encore at the Eastern Campus and Western Campus for seven weeks from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. tri-c.edu/encore-senior-adult-programs/
2) Encore On-the-Go Learn from your home via Webex at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. for seven weeks. [email protected]
3) Neighborhood Scholars This program brings Greater Cleveland to you through community partners. tri-c.edu/encore-senior-adult-programs/neighborhood-scholars/index.html
tri-c.edu/programs/continuing-education-courses.html
Program 60: tri-c.edu/program-60/index.html
216-987-2274
- Lorain County Community College: Center for Lifelong Learning (Elyria)
The Center for LifeLong Learning at LCCC offers in-person and online courses for adults 50+ and/or retired. Topics include computers, the internet, estate planning, career enrichment, fitness and recreation, world cultures, astronomy, gardening, history, genealogy, antique collecting, creative writing and more.
lorainccc.edu/community/center-for-lifelong-learning/
Senior Citizen Registration: lorainccc.edu/admissions-and-enrollment/register-for-classes/senior-adult-learner/
440-366-7536
Additionally, these local colleges and universities offer free courses to older Northeast Ohioans:
- University of Akron: 60 Plus (60+) Program: uakron.edu/60/
- Cleveland State University: Project 60: csuohio.edu/project60/project60
- Kent State University: Senior Guest Program: kent.edu/seniorguest
- Lakeland Community College: Senior Citizen Audit: lakelandcc.edu/web/about/admissions-requirements#senior
- Stark State College: Senior Citizen Discount: starkstate.edu/admissions/
In most cases, no college credit is earned and some costs (for books, equipment and lab fees) may apply. Contact the admissions or registrar’s office of a participating institution for details, including class availability at regional campuses nearby.
ENRICHMENT
This nonprofit resource is for seniors 60 years and older to learn about digital literacy, a 21st-century life skill. Thrive columnist (Tech Talk) Tak Sato, president and co-founder of the organization, works with his wife, Mely, to offer their flagship Discover Digital Literacy! 16-class hands-on learning program that provides at least 30 hours of tutelage.
For the alumni of the Discover Digital Literacy! program, they offer continuing education classes. Also, alumni are invited to social events so everyone remains connected. The mission is to empower seniors with digital literacy, to fulfill the vision of a world where no senior is lonely or isolated.
Community Outreach is also provided on select days to help answer questions for seniors in the community, even if they haven’t taken any previous courses. Get answers to your technology questions during a scheduled 30-minute appointment.
Call 440-787-2020, email [email protected] or visit EmpowerSeniors.org for more information on the many FREE programs offered by the Center for Aging in the Digital World.
The YMCA offers fitness classes, social clubs and other wellness programming for active older adults. Exercise classes for senior citizens include water exercise, strengthening and cardio classes, yoga and stretching. Walking clubs and travel excursions are also available at some locations.
clevelandymca.org/active-older-adults-0
- Road Scholar: Educational Travel & Learning Adventures
Road Scholar (formerly known as Elderhostel) is a not-for-profit organization that provides educational travel programs primarily geared toward older adults. Headquartered in Boston, it hosts trips throughout the U.S., Canada and abroad. Close to home, Lake Erie: Birding the Islands and Shores is a popular six-day trip for birders in Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, featuring bird walks, bird banding, an island field trip, Point Pelee National Park, a Magee Marsh excursion and more. The itinerary depends on what time of the year you go.
Call 800-454-5768 or go to roadscholar.org/find-an-adventure/12641/Lake-Erie-Birding-the-Islands-and-Shores.
roadscholar.org
Community senior centers also offer free and low-cost activities for older adults, including group fitness, arts-and-crafts, games, hiking, lectures, dance, book discussions, writing workshops and support services to help residents remain active and engaged. Check with your local government or library for more information.
