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Osher: it’s where you belong

We welcome you to OSHER, where curious minds gather. Members tell us they come for the intellectual stimulation of the courses and activities, and they stay for the people.

It’s a relaxed and informal atmosphere. We share knowledge, spark ideas, inspire new thinking, and forge friendships. No tests or pressure...just the sheer joy of learning.

We offer up to 15 courses per day, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm Mondays through Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 am to 12:45 pm. Other activities are scheduled throughout the week—but generally not on weekends or evenings.

image of people at osher

"I tell people...that Osher is a wonderful place, that the courses are interesting, and the people are even more interesting."

What kind of membership suits you?

There are only two criteria for joining Osher: you must be 50 or older, and you must have a curious mind!

We offer two levels of membership to suit different needs:

  • Regular Membership: All the programs, benefits and perks: $275 per year
  • Supporting Membership: Everything except the courses: $130 per year

Read more about the details of our membership levels.

Try us out with a trial membership

Make sure Osher is right for you with a Trial Membership. [More Info]

  • For first-time members only
  • Good for one session (Fall, Winter or Spring/Summer)
  • All programs and benefits except for RIT student card and audiology services
  • $150

Extend your trial membership to a full Regular membership, which includes the next two sessions, for an additional $125. Read the details of our Trial Membership.

Ready to join? You can do it by mail (download our Membership Application PDF) or contact us and we’ll walk you through the process.

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Try us out at our FREE events

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Osher Course Preview

A brief introduction to Osher and a sample of several of our next session courses. Check our calendar for the next date.

Create Your Own Open House

If your schedule doesn’t quite fit our Open House schedule, contact us. We’ll help you put together your own free Osher experience.

What’s included in Osher Regular and Trial membership

Osher membership is a world of interesting activity. Our core programs are academic in nature, with a little fun thrown in. Click on any of the activities below to read a more detailed description, or check out our Program Page for an overview.

  • Courses—Led by members. Vary every term, depending on who wants to lead what, and generally meet weekly.
  • Pfaudler Enrichment Series—Speakers program held every Thursday at noon.
  • Summer Seminars—Discovery/Adventure learning experiences capped by expeditions to complementary destinations.
  • Intersessions—Between terms, expeditions to local museums and cultural attractions.
  • Social Activities—Always something fun happening.
  • Travel, Tours, Field Trips—Member-organized and led, generally within a day’s travel time. Plus, there are RIT Travel Packages, and Osher Travel offered by our fellow Osher Institutes.
  • Osher Library—Browse our honor system member library and borrow any books that are of interest to you.

Read more about our programs.

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And then there are the additional benefits!

Membership in Osher entitles you to a number of perks and privileges.

RIT Student Identification Card.

A pass to RIT campus facilities, your ID card entitles you to student admission rates for campus events, check-out privileges at the RIT Library, and student discounts at the Campus Bookstore. Save hundreds on computer hardware and software! Good for student discounts around town, too. Regular Membership only.

RIT Liberal Arts Courses.

The opportunity to audit or listen in to about 100 RIT liberal arts courses. Hang out with a younger crowd, and still no exams! Regular Membership only, eligibility begins the second year. Read more about RIT Liberal Arts Courses.

Audiology Services.

State-of-the-art hearing evaluation and hearing aid service and purchase are available through RIT's National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at significant savings. Regular Membership only, during the school year, September through mid-May. Read more about our Audiology Services.

OSHER Logo

In 2006, we became an Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, joining a growing national network of more than 120 university-based centers for older learners.