Skip to main content

Register for Courses

Don’t Forget – Our Members Get Discounts On All Osher Offerings!

To view details, click the tabs below.

Osher Offerings

  • Summer 2025 Catalog COMING SOON!
  • Click the red course titles below to sign up for your courses.
  • Click the red instructor names below to learn more about who’s leading courses at Osher.
  • You can also submit a registration form to sign up for courses.
  • If you need assistance, please visit our How to Register tab above.

Osher Annual Membership

Duration: Fall 2024, Spring 2025, Summer 2025 (8/10/24-8/8/25)
Your membership is valid for one person for three consecutive terms from the date you join. Members have access to all Osher courses and benefits. Course fees, parking fees, and special events fees are not included in your membership. Pay one time to get access to classes all year long.

Please purchase your annual membership BEFORE registering for courses.
Cost: $99 (one person per membership)

Course Categories


Aging Finance & Retirement

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
2-Weeks (In-Person): The Cycle of Life: Conversations on Life, Death, and Living Fully
Instructor: Natasha Nace
7/8 – 7/15Tues1 pm -3 pm99802

Inspired by a Los Angeles Times article, this 2-day workshop tackles death openly and honestly. We’ll create a safe…

Arts and Humanities

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): Expats: The Latest Global Trend
Instructor: Alex Castaneda
6/10Tues10am – 12pm99803

An increasing number of Americans are choosing to uproot themselves and relocate to foreign lands, signaling a growing global…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): How Disneyland Imagineers Brought 3-D Animals and People to Life
Instructor: Kim Keeline
6/11Weds10 am-12 pm99809

The most popular attractions at Disneyland and the other theme parks are greatly enhanced by the robotic animals and people who…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): A Willow Tree Becomes a Forest
Instructor: Russell Low
6/16Mon10 am-12 pm99805

“A Willow Tree Becomes a Forest” explores the trials of establishing roots and pursuing aspirations amid the era of the Chinese Exclusion…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): An Insider’s Guide to Visiting Grand Canyon National Park
Instructor: Constantine Dillon
6/24Tues1 pm-3 pm99806

Visiting Grand Canyon National Park is a fantastic experience and for many a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Planning a trip and understanding…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): The Mexican-American War and How It Shaped Two Nations
Instructor: Blaine Davies
7/9Wed10 am-12 pm99804

California and the southwest United States became U.S. territory in the aftermath of the Mexican War, or as many Mexicans explain…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): The Labyrinth of Personal and Collective Memory
Instructor: Oliva Espin
7/16Wed2 pm-4 pm99807

This course will cover new perspectives on the accumulation of memories that are part of all mature lives.How do groups…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Lecture (In-Person): Native American Removals in Twentieth Century San Diego
Instructor: Richard Carrico
7/24Thurs10 am-12 pm99808

As you drive, bike, or hike around San Diego County, did you ever wonder how that valley came to be a resort or what existed…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
4-Days (In-Person): Introduction to Woodworking: Making a Shaker Side Table
Instructor: Adam Manley
7/28 – 7/31Mon, Tues, Weds1 pm-4 pm99810

Through the process of constructing a Shaker side table (an iconic form in American Furniture), students will gain all of the skills…

Osher Membership

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
3 Terms: Summer 2025 Osher Annual Membership (Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026)5/5/25-5/8/2699800

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
1 Term: Summer 2025 Osher Semester Membership5/2/25-8/1/2599801

Osher Online

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Weeks (Online): The Economics of Public Policy Issues
Instructor: Geof Woglom
7/8 – 8/12Tues10 am-11:30 am99813

Economics plays a central role in shaping every aspect of society. This course examines a series of prominent policy issues…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Weeks (Online): Behind Those Baby Blues: The Films of Paul Newman
Instructor: Arnold Blumberg
7/8 – 8/12Tues12 pm-1:30 pm99814

Paul Newman, the embodiment of charisma, captivated movie audiences with his iconic baby blue eyes, striking features…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Week (Online): History of Beer
Instructor: Karl Brown
7/8 – 8/12Tues4 pm-5:30 pm99815

Historians, beer enthusiasts, and curious minds alike will enjoy this exploration of the history of brewing. We will begin in…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Week (Online): Enjoying the Past and Present New York City: A History of Recreation in the Big Apple
Instructor: Adam Kocurek
7/9 – 8/13Wed8 am-9:30 am99817

This course will explore the history of Manhattan, emphasizing the unique traits that drew into its harbor millions of immigrants…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Week (Online): Demystifying Energy Security
Instructor: Beth Hill-Skinner
7/9 – 8/13Wed10 am-11:30 am99816

Energy is essential for both national and economic security, underpinning all aspects of life. Yet discussions of energy security often…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Week (Online): Public Health Across the Lifespan
Instructor: Michelle Boyd
7/9 – 8/13Wed2 pm-3 pm99818

This course provides a comprehensive overview of key public health topics across the human lifespan, from prenatal health…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Week (Online): Architectural Oddities: An Off-the-Beaten Path Look at Unconventional Architecture
Instructor: Eleanor Schrader
7/10 – 8/14Thurs10 am-11:30 am99827

Architectural history follows a canon of both traditional and eclectic styles from ancient to contemporary times. But what…

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
6-Week (Online): 100 Years of Magic: The Disney Legacy and Influence
Instructor: Maria Massad
7/10 – 8/14Thurs4 pm-5:30 pm99828

How did Walt Disney’s life and vision shape the creation of an entertainment empire? How did early challenges influence…

Politics & Current Events

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
2-Weeks (In-Person): What the Supreme Court Decided: Behind This Term’s Biggest Rulings
Instructor: Glenn Smith
7/18 – 7/25Fri1 pm-3 pm99811

By July, the Supreme Court will have decided many consequential cases affecting individual rights (including free speech…

Sciences

CoursesDate(s)Day(s)TimeSchedule
Edventure (Off-Campus): Local San Diego Geology Field Trip: Torrey Pines
Instructor: Carole Ziegler
6/9Mon1 pm-3 pm99812

Discover the ups and downs of the ups and downs of San Diego’s topography. Participants will learn about the uplift of the land…

How to Register for Courses

Remember – Osher members receive discounts on all courses! Click here to discover the benefits of becoming an Osher member.

  1. Log in to your account. If you haven’t created an account yet, click here.
  2. Pick your courses from our online catalog and add them to your cart.
  3. Once you’ve added all your courses, click on the Checkout button.
  4. Complete the checkout process and pay.
  5. Once registered, you’ll receive a confirmation by email. Additional information like Zoom links and locations for in-person classes/Special Events will be sent in a separate email closer to the date of the event or the start of the course.

You can also submit a registration form to sign up for courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click the dropdown items below for the answers and additional details.

How to Create an Account

If this is your first time signing up for Osher offerings, you’ll need to create an account with SDSU Global Campus. Please complete the following steps:

  1. Click on SDSU Global Campus Student under Login at the top of the page.
  2. Click Create Account under Create a New Customer Account.
  3. Fill out your personal account information and click Create.
  4. Log in to your New Account using your Login and Password.
  5. Complete your Account profile information with any remaining required information.
  6. Activate your account by signing up for your first course. Click here to learn more.

If you need help creating or logging into your account, please contact the SDSU Global Campus IT Support Team at itsupport.global@sdsu.edu or 619-594-5893.

How to Become a Member

​​You can sign up for a membership at any time to receive the full benefits of the Osher @ SDSU community. Please note that you’ll need to sign up for membership before registering for an Osher course to get the membership discounts.

Once you’ve chosen which type of membership you’d like to purchase, please complete the following steps.

  1. Log in to your account. If you haven’t created an account yet, click here.
  2. Click here to choose your Osher Membership.
  3. Add your membership to the cart.
  4. If you’d like to sign up for courses in the same purchase, visit our online catalog and add your courses to the cart as well.
  5. Complete the checkout process and pay.

You can also sign up for membership by phone by calling 619-594-5152.

Explore the benefits of becoming an Osher member.

How to View Your Current Classes
  1. Log in to your account.
  2. Go to My Academics.
  3. Click on Current Courses.
  4. View the list of courses displayed. If you’d like to view course details and the schedule, click on the schedule number link for the section you wish to view.
Late Registration

Registration deadlines are posted with each course on our website. Please register by the deadline for all courses and activities. You may request to register after the deadline with Osher staff approval, provided there is still room to enroll. Please note there is an additional $5 fee for late registration.

  1. Write to Osher@SDSU.edu to obtain approval
  2. Fill out an Osher Registration form
  3. Once approved, submit the registration form to enrollment.global@sdsu.edu.
  4. Contact cashier.global@sdsu.edu to submit payment

For questions or assistance with late registrations, please contact the SDSU Global Campus Registration Office at 619-594-5152

How to Sign Up for the Waitlist

If a course/activity is full, there may be an option to put your name on a wait list. If a registered participant drops, those on the waitlist will be contacted in order and given a 24-hour period to register before the next person on the list is contacted. If you’re on the waitlist before the registration deadline and a spot opens up, you will not be charged a late fee to enroll.

When Do Classes Start? When Do Classes End?

Our university-quality classes start throughout the semester and can be up to six weeks long. You will find the specific start and end dates for each course/activity listed with their descriptions on our website. These dates will also appear on the confirmation letter sent to you after you register.

Who Teaches the Classes?

Osher classes are led by current and retired SDSU professors, faculty from other universities, professionals with recognized expertise in their fields, and award-winning artists and authors.

Do You Offer Courses Online and in Person?

Yes, our offerings feature a mix of in-person and online classes. Please click on the Courses tab for details on specific courses.

What is the Price Per Class?

Fees vary, depending on the type and length of the course. You will find each course fee listed with the description in the Courses tab above.

Do You Ever Cancel Classes?

If we do not have sufficient enrollments to cover expenses related to the course, we will have to cancel the course. You can help by recruiting others to join you in the class. If your course is canceled, you have the option to transfer your registration to another eligible offering within the same semester or receive a full refund for your course.

Where Do I Park?

Parking is conveniently located in Parking Structure 6, just steps away from the buildings where classes are held. The cost of parking per class is $2. Please refer to the Parking and Transportation section of our Additional Osher Resources page for more information.

What is the Osher Refund Policy?

Please refer to the Refund Policy section of our Additional Osher Resources page for more information.

Can I mail in my registration?

Yes! We are pleased to offer mail-in registration for our members/ Please complete a Registration form and mail to: SDSU University Bursar’s Office, SSW 2536, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, Ca., 92182-7425
Please make sure to reference your EMPL ID/Red ID number on the check and not what the check is for.

Hear From Our Members

The Osher Institute at SDSU provides a wide variety of courses, intellectual stimulation, knowledgeable teachers who are passionate about their topics, and the opportunity to meet new people. What’s not to love?

Need Support?

Email Osher: osher@sdsu.edu
Phone Registration: (619) 594-5152
Email Global Campus: enrollment.global@sdsu.edu
IT: itsupport.global@sdsu.edu
In Person: 5701 Hardy Ave Suite 30, San Diego, CA, 92115