Colleges targeting senior students

The foundation recognized mature students were not being well served through traditional continuing education curriculum. Many were at retirement age and were not interested in taking courses to complete degrees or acquire career skills. The institutes provided a way for older students to take classes for the joy of learning.

OLLI program: Non-credit educational classes for adults ages 50 and older. There are 118 institutes, all operating on the campuses of colleges or universities. Classes offered are diverse — from wine-tasting to learning about the Federal Reserve System. Classes are priced separately, and registration could include an annual membership fee.

In Georgia: OLLI is offered at Emory University, ece.emory.edu/olli/, with locations in Atlanta and Alpharetta; Kennesaw State University, ccpe.kennesaw.edu/olli/; and the University of Georgia, olli.uga.edu/.

While Georgia’s seniors 62 and older can go to any state college or university tuition-free, they’re more likely to pay a little and attend classes offered through continuing or lifelong education programs.

Many seniors are enrolling in courses for life enjoyment, but others are seeking new job skills. They are either retooling to keep up with the job they have, or searching for a second career post-retirement, say area directors.

For a couple of thousand dollars, they can get the training, skills and certification needed, and then jump into the job market — all in less than a year, said Karen LaMarsh, director for Clayton State University Continuing Education.

Health care classes are among the most popular. LaMarsh said many older students say they’ve always wanted a career in health care, but life got in the way and they never had the time to pursue it.

“We like (senior students) because, number one, they’re motivated, and number two they have great life experiences that they bring into classes. They just have a wealth of life knowledge,” LaMarsh said.

Kennesaw State University also has a growing health care program in its College of Continuing and Professional Education. There’s also growth in other programs where older adults just need a little more know-how before launching off into the job market.

For example, seniors are enrolling in real estate management and gerontology, said Michelle Girage, assistant dean of the Kennesaw State University College of Continuing and Professional Education.

“A lot of people in (gerontology) are there to get more information about aging,” Girage said. “They’ve had parents to care for, and this helps them fill in the educational gaps.”

Kennesaw is one of three universities in Georgia to offer the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, or OLLI.

The institute is a national program offering educational opportunities for adults 50 and older. OLLI courses are also offered through Emory University at locations in Atlanta and Alpharetta, and the University of Georgia in Athens.

Seniors can take OLLI classes that are more academic, such as history or creative writing; or gravitate to something a little more fun, like wine tasting or gold prospecting.

While the courses are not tuition-free, scholarships are available and grants help to lower the cost. Class sizes are also smaller, which make them less intimidating for older students.

“A lot of times, the seniors say they aren’t comfortable being in a class with lots of younger people because it goes so fast, and they usually don’t get what they need out of it,” Girage said.

One of Kennesaw’s more popular OLLI offerings is a five-course program on computers. It starts with the basics for those with no computer experience, then over four subsequent courses covers everything from social media and Internet use to dealing with security issues and viruses.

Girage said the classes are helpful to older students seeking a job but who don’t have the computer skills needed in today’s marketplace.

“They can’t even look for a job without these skills because most job applications are online,” she said.