Continuing Studies

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 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 the Office of Continuing Studies and Summer Session, and are subject 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 through the Office of Continuing Studies for admission as a nondegree, full-time visiting student for one or two semesters. Students with unique circumstances should contact the Office of Continuing Studies.

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 Continuing Studies (see the Satisfactory Continuation Requirements outlined on page 51 of 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 from Duke Continuing Studies. 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 certificate programs offered include human resource management, management accounting, digital media and marketing, big data and data science, technical communications, business communications, business ethics, paralegal studies, financial planning, event development, Six Sigma Green Belt, entrepreneurship, supply side management, sustainable management, online learning, finance essentials, legal nurse consulting, and others.

Nonprofit Management Program

Students 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 fall and spring retreats, language tables, reading groups, film and lecture series, and volunteer opportunities.

Duke Youth Programs

For more than thirty-five years, Duke Youth Programs has offered academic enrichment opportunities for middle and high school students in the summer. Current offerings range from camps in biosciences and engineering, forensic science, game design, drones, math, cryptography, neurosciences, creative writing, SAT preparation, video production, and a college admissions boot camp.

For more information, call the Office of Continuing Studies and Summer Session at (919) 684-6259, or visit learnmore.duke.edu.