Lifelong Learning

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Registration opens January 8th! Classes are FREE for those aged 60 and above if registered by February 11, 2026

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Learning for a Lifetime at Wichita State

Lifelong Learning courses cater specifically to individuals aged 60 and above, offering both in-person and online options. The courses, taught by qualified university faculty, consist of four classes held once a week for four weeks, with each class lasting approximately two hours. These courses operate on an audit basis, allowing students to participate without paying tuition fees, and scholarships are available to cover application and course fees for those who enroll before a specified deadline. There are no textbooks to purchase as all required materials are provided by WSU, and there are no tests or grades. The coursework encourages cohort-based learning, offering seniors the opportunity to engage in genuine college-level learning experiences.

 
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All course work will be offered in-person and online.

In person classes will be held from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Wichita State University Metropolitan Complex located at 5015 E. 29th St. North. 

Online classes will be available. Students who select this option will receive a link via email each week to view the class on their own device. Students can watch the the recording at their convenience.

The schedule of courses can be found below. Live in-person classes will meet from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Students who enroll in the online option can access the classes online anytime.

Spring Courses

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A History of Cemeteries in Kansas

HIST 150CM | CRN 24563
Tuesdays, February 3, 10, 17 & 24 | 1-3p
In this course, students will examine funerary art, markers, and decorations found in Kansas, along with the history of Wichita’s cemeteries. The class includes an overview of both professional and lay‑person cemetery preservation practices and a review of federal, state, and local cemetery laws. Students will also study segregated cemeteries in Kansas and the historical circumstances that shaped them.
Instructor: Barb Myers, Local Cemetery Historian
Ruined brick and stone structure with arched windows stands under a bright sky. The sunlight highlights its weathered textures and historical feel.

The History and Culture of Volga Germans

HIST 150CP | CRN 24595
Wednesdays, February 18, 25 & March 4, 11 | 1-3p 
This course explores the history and culture of the Volga Germans, a group of mostly ethnic German settlers invited by Catherine the Great to colonize the Russian steppe in 1763. Over 30,000 colonists established 106 communities along the Volga River, where they lived in relative isolation for 177 years. Students will study their language, traditions, faith practices, and folklore, as well as the contributions their descendants later made to the cultural history of regions around the world, including the plains of Kansas.
Instructor: Dr. Brent Mai, Dean, University Libraries
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Uncovering the Geology of Earth’s Natural Resources

GEOL 150U | CRN 24561
Mondays, February 23, March 2, 9 & 16 | 1-3p
Students in this course will study Earth’s natural resources and the role they have played in the advancement of human societies. The course introduces fundamental geologic concepts, the processes through which natural resources develop, and the methods used to locate and extract them. Students will also explore the uses of minerals in everyday products, advanced technologies, and industrial applications. Case studies highlight sustainability concerns, environmental impacts, and the challenges involved in managing both renewable and non‑renewable resources.
Instructor: Heather Merchant, Lecturer, Department of Geology
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Cleopatra: A Life and a Legend

HIST 150CK | CRN 24502
Mondays, March 23, 30 & April 6, 20 | 1-3p
This course focuses on the life of Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, and her efforts to maintain the independence of her kingdom during the territorial expansion of the Roman Empire. Students will study the historical record of Cleopatra’s reign and examine how her image has been represented in ancient and modern art, Renaissance literature, and twentieth‑century film. The course provides both historical context and an overview of the development of Cleopatra’s enduring legacy.
Instructor: Dr. Cheryl Golden, Associate Teaching Professor of Ancient History
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Where Did that Come From? A Look at Source Material for Broadway

THEA 150J | CRN 24596
Wednesdays, March 25, April 1, 8 & 15 | 1-3p 
This course is designed to explore the diversity of ideas that has inspired creators to write a Broadway musical. Finding a good story can come from many sources but it needs to spark the creativity of a composer, librettist and lyricist and engage a producer who will fund the process. This class will look at a variety of musicals that have come from such source material as Greek Mythology, historical events, novels, movies and even comic strips. The creative spark is alive and well on Broadway!
Instructor: Linda Starkey, Retired Faculty, Lecturer, School of Performing Arts
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The Battle Cry of Freedom: The Story of the American Civil War

HIST 150CN | CRN 24594
Tuesdays, April 7, 14, 21 & 28 | 1-3p
This course examines the American Civil War by exploring the political, social, and military events that defined this pivotal moment in the nation’s history. Students will study the major issues and developments that shaped the conflict and consider how the war contributed to the effort to establish a more perfect Union.
Instructor: Ken Spurgeon, Lecturer, Department of History

 

FAQs

How do I register?

There are four ways to register.

  1. Fill out the form you received with the catalog in the mail and mail the form back to us.
  2. Download and print the PDF form, fill it out, and mail the form to us.
  3. Download the fillable PDF form, fill it out, and email the form to us.
  4. Call 316-978-3264 to register over the phone. 
Where are the classes?

In person classes will be held at the Wichita State University Metropolitan Complex located at 5015 E. 29th St. North, Wichita, KS 67220.

Can I register if I am not over 60?

Students who are younger than 60 years of age can enroll in these courses, but will pay regular tuition and fees. If you're younger than 60 and have NOT previously been admitted to WSU, you can apply here. If you've already been admitted as a student at WSU, you can register for these classes through the myWSU portal. You will need the CRN number for the courses in which you would like to register. The CRN number and additional details for each course can be found in the course brochure. Once you are registered, all you need to do is show up at the first day of class and present a Medicare card or driver's license to validate age. In addition, you will be required to pay all fees (via check or cash only) at your first class (if applicable).

How do the online classes work?

Students who choose the online class will receive a link each week by email. Click the link view the class on your own device at your convenience. You can choose to watch the class at the scheduled live time or you can watch the recording at a later date or time that is more convenient for you. 

Are the same courses offered each semester?

We do not typically repeat classes semester to semester. Each fall and spring brings new options for our learners. Several of our instructors teach classes each semester, so if you like a particular instructor, make sure to check back in because they might be teaching another class the next semester. 

What types of courses are offered?

All Lifelong learning courses are lecture-based. Topics include arts, art history, history, science, literature, political science, philosophy, music and many more! 

1098-T Tax Form

Please be aware that you will be receiving a 1098-T tax form from WSU. Even though you are auditing the classes and some of the fees could be scholarshipped by the University, we are required by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) to provide you with a 1098-T form. For more information regarding the 1098-T, please visit www.wichita.edu/1098t.

Auditing Classes

The information on this page applies only to the courses offered at the designated locations. For information on senior citizen audits of credit courses located on the main campus or satellite locations, please visit their registration page.

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Lifelong Learning

Contact Us

WSU Lifelong Learning

 

lifelonglearning@wichita.edu | 316-978-3258

1845 Fairmount Street, Box 136, Wichita, KS 67260-0136

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                   Wichita State University is committed to meeting the personal, educational, and career needs of adults of all ages.

 

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