Teaching at the College for Seniors - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

At the heart of the College for Seniors (CFS) program are dedicated volunteer instructors. While many instructors are retired academics, others with no formal teaching background have successfully facilitated learning experiences centered on their areas of passion, interest or expertise. CFS offers in-person, online and hybrid (simultaneous in-person and online) courses.

CFS Subject-Area Subcommittees

CFS’s course offerings are principally in the hands of 11 subject-area subcommittees. These subcommittees establish priorities for their subject areas, interview instructors who want to teach, review course proposals and work with instructors to plan and promote success in the classroom. Read a general description of topics under each subcommittee.

Business, Law and Finance
Health and Fitness
History
Languages, Literature and Writing
Life Transitions
Math, Science and Technology
Performing Arts
Personal Development
Religion and Philosophy
Social Sciences
Visual Arts

Each subcommittee can be reached through its chair for specific information about the review process for course proposals. Visit our Governance and Committees page for the most updated list of subcommittee chairs. The subcommittee chair will designate a course liaison who will contact you.

Questions about CFS? Email our College for Seniors program manager, or call 828.251.6873.

CFS Course Proposals

Please understand that the CFS course proposal deadline is a hard deadline that sets into motion a comprehensive review process including time for subcommittees to review and consult with the instructor and for OLLI staff to prepare catalogs and registration materials.

Course Proposal Deadlines

Summer 2025 (six weeks, June 16-July 25, 2025): Course proposals will be accepted December 1, 2024-February 1, 2025.
Fall 2025 (eight weeks, September 22-November 14, 2025): Course proposals will be accepted March 1-May 1, 2025.
Winter 2026 (six weeks, January 12-February 23, 2026): Course proposals will be accepted June 1-August 1, 2025.
Spring 2026 (eight weeks, March 23-May 15, 2026): Course proposals will be accepted September 1-November 1, 2025.

Visit our Forms page to preview and complete the online course proposal form for the term during which you hope to teach.

Once the proposal form is started, you must complete your work and click SUBMIT before closing your browser. Once submitted, we will email you a copy of your course proposal for your records. A member of the appropriate subcommittee will contact you.

The annual cycle of terms and course proposal deadlines are:

Winter term (6 weeks): Course proposal deadline August 1
Spring term (8 weeks): Course proposal deadline November 1
Summer term (6 weeks): Course proposal deadline February 1
Fall term (8 weeks): Course proposal deadline May 1

Workshops and Skills Development

The CFS instructor-support team offers trainings and workshops for prospective, new and experienced instructors or for OLLI members who are considering to propose a course. Training covers technology skills for in-person, online and hybrid (simultaneous in-person and online) courses, peer-mentoring/training sessions on classroom skills and best practices, forums for questions and concerns, and one-on-one AV/tech checks before each term. For upcoming trainings and workshops, visit our Instructor Support, Training and Resources page, watch for details in the weekly OLLI Observer e-newsletter or visit our Calendar page.

Instructor Guide and Technology Information

A guide has been prepared to help instructors understand policies and procedures pertaining to teaching at CFS. The guide also includes information about the structure of CFS and its committees, as well as how instructors and courses are chosen and supported. Visit our Instructor Support, Training and Resources site to access the CFS instructor guide.

While training and support are provided, instructors are responsible for understanding instructional technology in the classrooms where they teach. Visit our Instructor Support, Training and Resources site to learn about available classroom technology.