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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Summer 2026 Semester

Exercise Your Brain This Summer with Osher@Mizzou

Join us this June for classes on books, birds and healthy bones — and more than a dozen other fun and luminating topics. All hybrid classes will be recorded, so you may still take part if you have a busy summer schedule.

Osher’s academic calendar starts in fall and ends in summer — so, this is the last semester of the current 2025–26 academic year. As such, fees are quite affordable.

Choose between an “all-inclusive” Premium membership for $120, with unlimited classes — or pay $20 to become a Standard member for summer only and pay by the course. Visit the Membership page for full fee details.

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

Academic Year 2025–2026

  • Fall 2025 (8 weeks): Monday, Sept. 8 – Friday, Oct. 31
  • Winter 2026 (4 weeks): Monday, Jan. 12 – Monday, Feb. 9
  • Spring 2026 (8 weeks): Monday, March 2 – Friday, May 1
  • Summer 2026 (4 weeks): Monday, June 1 – Friday, June 26
    No value-added sessions on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

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.)