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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Join Osher

Exercise Your Brain with Osher@Mizzou

Fall is a great time to join Osher@Mizzou!

Join Osher and take part in thoughtful interactions about topics of interest to you, all for the joy of learning. Joining in fall maximizes your membership dollars. Registrants gain access to all four semesters of the 2026-2027 Academic Year: Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer.

Questions? Contact the friendly Osher staff via email: osher@missouri.edu or phone: (573) 882-8189.

Academic Year 2026–2027

  • Fall 2026 (8 weeks): Monday, Sept. 14 – Friday, Nov. 6
  • Winter 2027 (4 weeks): Monday, Jan. 11 – Monday, Feb. 8
    No classes on Jan. 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
  • Spring 2027 (8 weeks): Monday, March 8 – Friday, May 7
    No classes or meetings during MU’s Spring Break, March 29 – April 2.
  • Summer 2027 (4 weeks): Monday, June 7 – Friday, July 2
    No classes or meetings on Friday, June 18, in observance of Juneteenth.

Members enjoying lunch

Membership

Everyone must pay an annual membership fee to take part in the program – the academic year runs from August 2026 through July 2027 (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer semesters).

Membership Benefits are as follows:

Annual Membership Fee Choices (Updated for Summer)

Premium Membership
$
305 annual fee

  • Unlimited multi-week courses for all four semesters. (National Osher Online courses are not included.)
  • Premium Perks:
    • Bring a guest to Friday Sessions.
    • Request an MU Libraries card.
    • Eligible for Advisory Council

Standard Membership
$30 per year

  • Allows you to opt-in to enroll in multi-week courses for all four semesters
  • Fall course fees:
    • $20 for two-week courses
    • $40 for four- or five-week courses
    • $60 for six- or eight-week courses

 

 

Join us

Scholarships are available

Osher@Mizzou is pleased to be able to offer a limited number of scholarships for individuals, age 50 and above, who would like to participate in the program but, due to financial or time constraints, are unable to do so.

Need-based Scholarships: For individuals age 50+ who would like to join at the Premium level but, due to financial constraints, are unable to do so.

NEED-BASED SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

 

*Required field

Osher FAQs

In-person classes occur at the Waters-Moss Memorial Wildlife Area, 1905 Hillcrest Drive, Columbia, MO 65201. Classes are held in the Moss Building. Google Map of our location.

Registration opens about two weeks before classes begin.

 

After reading through course descriptions and membership types, click on the Join us/Register now box located in the middle of this page. That will direct you to our registration site.

Online registration is fairly straightforward and our friendly Osher staff is available to help should you have any questions, but you do not have to register online. Call 573-882-8189 or email osher@missouri.edu to register over the phone or to get help with online registration.

When you register for classes, you'll automatically be sent a confirmation email. If you registered but did not receive an email, check your spam/junk folder. If you still cannot locate your confirmation email, please call 573-882-8189 and a staff member will be happy to help you.

YES! Your confirmation email is your "Golden Ticket" to all of your classes as well as the Friday Value-added sessions. You will likely use this every week, if not daily. There is a lot of important information in your registration confirmation email. We highly recommend that you read it thoroughly and keep it easily accessible in your "mailbox" or in a folder.

Hybrid classes allow students to choose to attend in person or online. Zoom links are included in your confirmation email. If attending online, click the Zoom link in your confirmation email (or type in the meeting ID on your smartphone) to access your classes each week. For help with learning how to Zoom, please check out our Zoom Basics information.

If you’re attending in person at the Moss Building (1905 Hillcrest Dr. in Columbia)

  • Parking is plentiful.
  • Complimentary coffee is served.
  • Moss A classroom is capped at 85 registrants and Moss B at 50.
  • The building is easy to access. There are no stairs, and the building is handicap accessible.

If you’re attending virtually, via Zoom

  • We use the same Zoom link each week for your class – Zoom links are included in your confirmation email.
  • You will be held in the ‘waiting room’ until the actual start time of your class.
  • You may interact with the class by using the Chat function or unmuting your mic.

Osher@Mizzou’s policy is to cancel in-person classes when Columbia Public Schools cancels for reasons related to the weather.

If your class regularly meets “online only,” your session will take place as usual, with no need to make a change based on the winter weather outside.

If your class is “hybrid,” your class will most likely pivot to online delivery, depending on the wishes of the course instructor. Make sure to check your email for updates. All Osher learners will receive the class Zoom links in their confirmation emails, whether they register for in-person or online learning.

If your class meets “in-person only,” we will not be able to offer your class via Zoom. In these cases, we will try to schedule a make-up session.

No need to notify us! Each hybrid and online class is recorded (with a few exceptions). If you’re registered for an Osher class and would like to view a recording, please refer to your registration confirmation email (your “Golden Ticket” to the semester, with Zoom links and lots of other important information.)