Continuing Studies Programs

Duke University offers a variety of pre- and post-college learning opportunities for learners across a wide variety of ages, backgrounds, and geographies. Overseen by Duke Learning Innovation & Lifetime Education (LILE), Duke’s continuing students programs provide many opportunities for academic achievement, professional development and personal enrichment. Information about all programs listed below is available at learnmore.duke.edu.

For-Credit Academic Study

Admission to the Continuing Studies Program is discretionary. For consideration for admission, applicants to the Continuing Studies Program must meet at least one of the following two criteria:

• Earned a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education.

• Age 25 or older, and intend to initiate or complete academic study in a Duke University academic program.

Students are given academic counseling by LILE, and are subject to the regulations set forth for degree candidates, unless explicitly noted otherwise. A junior or senior who is currently enrolled at an external college or university who wishes to pursue an academic discipline unique to Duke University, may apply at learnmore.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate for admission as a nondegree, full-time visiting student for one or two semesters. Students with unique circumstances should contact LILE at learnmore@duke.edu.

Minimum GPA Requirement

Successful applicants are expected to have earned a minimum 3.0 GPA in their most recent program.

Applicants who fail to meet the minimum GPA requirement are subject to additional review and may be admitted on a provisional basis. As part of the additional review, the following will be taken under consideration:

• The applicant has not been enrolled as a full-time student in the last 4 years, and

• The applicant demonstrates the ability to successfully complete college level coursework by earning a passing grade (B or better) in a minimum of 4 courses during the last 2 years.

As part of a provisional admission, a student must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA in the semester immediately following the provisional admission.

Withdrawal

If a student enrolled in a Duke University program withdraws from the program, or is no longer in good academic standing, they must wait two academic terms before re-applying to any Duke program, including any continuing studies programs (see the Satisfactory Continuation Requirements outlined in the Bulletin of Undergraduate Instruction).

Semester Continuation Requirements

Semester continuation requires that you earn a passing grade (C-or better) in a minimum number of courses to remain in good standing. Students who receive at least one failing grade (D, D-, F) are subject to academic probation or academic dismissal.

Students placed on academic probation must acknowledge their probationary status in writing to the academic dean for Continuing Studies students, in order to continue into the next academic term. They are also expected to seek assistance from campus resources and have their course selection approved by their academic dean. In the probationary term they must earn grades of C or better in all courses to continue. Students who withdraw from all courses must wait two semesters to submit a request to return to study.

Program and application information is available at learnmore.duke.edu/academics/undergraduate. Application deadlines: August 1 for the fall semester, December 1 for the spring semester, April 15 for Term 1 of the summer session, and June 1 for Term 2 of the summer session.

Certificate Programs

Professional Certificates are designed with the needs of working adults in mind, with classes offered in the evening and on weekends. Current programs offered include business and finance, human resources, legal, management, Six Sigma, technology solutions , and more.

Nonprofit Management Program

Learners interested in the nonprofit sector or in community development are invited to explore the noncredit course offerings of this program. Taught by experts and practitioners, these short courses offer instruction concerning financial and resource management, management of personnel and volunteers, leadership development, fundraising, planning and evaluation, board development/ governance, and media relations.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Duke

OLLI at Duke began in 1977 as the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement. Since 2004 the membership organization has been a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Network, a group of more than 120 institutes across the country dedicated to meeting the needs of older learners and extending the demographic served by traditional universities. OLLI sponsors noncredit course offerings in the fall, winter, and spring as well as special interest groups and volunteer opportunities.

Pre-College

Duke Pre-College programs offer academic enrichment opportunities for academically-motivated middle and high school students in the summer. Current offerings include residential summer camps on Duke’s campus and at the Duke Marine Lab, online courses, a coding camp, and community days for local students to experience learning at Duke.