Longevity Center

Senior Scholars FAQs

General

What is the UCLA Senior Scholars Program?

UCLA Senior Scholars is a campus-wide program that invites older adults (50+) to audit regular courses at UCLA. Senior Scholars audit lectures and follow along with class readings. Scholars do not take exams, write papers, turn in homework assignments or attend discussion sections/labs. Scholars do not receive a grade or academic credit.

How much does it cost?

Quarterly fees are $200 for each class. This includes a $30 nonrefundable administrative fee per course.

How do I know which classes are offered?

This catalog contains a condensed list of some of the many undergraduate courses being offered this quarter. THIS IS NOT A FULL LIST OF ALL COURSES or a list of pre-approved courses. Approval to attend any course is subject to instructor consent and classroom space limitations. *Restrictions: Lab, language, seminar, studio art, performing art and other courses that require daily professor-student interaction cannot be audited.

Where do I go for class?

All classes are located on the UCLA campus. A campus map can be viewed in the back of this catalog, or at: https://maps.ucla.edu.

Application Process

Step 1 - Find a class

To view the entire Winter Session of Classes:

Visit the UCLA Registrar’s website- https://sa.ucla.edu/ro/Public/SOC/

DO NOT click on the Find a Class and Enroll or Class Planner features. Scroll below to “Term.”
Select the Winter Session term 2026 and click on the box next to subject area for a dropdown menu of subjects.
Click on your desired subject, and click “Go” to pull up a list of classes in that subject area.
Look for classes numbered below 200.
Click on a class title, and the lecture information (Days, Time, Location, etc.) will drop down.
Look only at lecture information (labeled Lec). Discussion sessions (labeled Dis) are not available to auditors.
If you click on the “Lec 1” link, that will pull up another page with the course description.

If you would like further help in viewing the schedule of classes:

You can watch an instructional video on our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/UCLALongevity

How can I learn more about class instructors?

Try searching: www.bruinwalk.com

Step 2 - Submit an application to the Senior Scholars Program

There are several ways to submit an application.

Apply online using the REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! link at: https://commerce.cashnet.com/42000SSP
You may submit the paper application by email with the application included in the catalog.
- Address: 760 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095
You may also call our office if you would like to apply over the phone.
We suggest listing an alternate course in case your first choice course is unavailable.

Step 3 - The Senior Scholars office requests approval from your prospective professor

Attendance in any course must be approved by the professor through the Longevity Center.
Instructor approvals begin at the end of the application deadline. It can take several weeks before we hear back, and space is often limited, so please apply at your earliest convenience.

Step 4 - The Senior Scholars office will email you your course status

Course confirmations for Session A will be sent via email between December 5, 2025 and the start of classes on January 5, 2026.
If we are unable to confirm your status, we encourage you to select an alternate course.

Step 5 - Check the location before the first class

Courses sometimes change locations between the application period and your first class.
Please check your class listing on the online schedule of classes (https://sa.ucla.edu/ro/Public/SOC/) the day before class begins.

Step 6 - Class lists become official after the first two weeks of class

If you wish to drop a course, please contact our office by the drop deadline, Friday, January 16, 2026. Course fees (minus a $30 administrative fee) cannot be refunded if the drop request is submitted after the deadline.

Program Agreement

Everyone involved in the Senior Scholars Program knows what a tremendous opportunity it is to learn from some of the top professors in the country on many fascinating topics. To optimize your experience of the program, as well as that of the professors and UCLA students involved, please keep in mind the following guidelines:

Please keep personal opinions and beliefs out of the classroom.
Enrolled undergraduate students have priority seating.
The instructor will determine the acceptable level of participation from auditors. Please allow the enrolled undergraduate students the opportunity to participate first.
Discussion sessions/labs and professors’ office hours are intended for enrolled students, not Senior Scholars.
The Scholars program is not responsible for any additional fees incurred, including but not limited to: book, material and parking fees.
Please refrain from emailing the professor directly, unless the professor initiates the communication.

*Participation in the Senior Scholars Program is a privilege. The Program expects that its Scholars will comply with Program guidelines at all times. The failure to comply with any guideline(s) may prevent a Scholar from further participation in the Program.

Other Guidelines

Introduce yourself to the professor during the first week or two of class.
- Instructors might be busy the first class or two with undergraduates waiting to speak to them. If they look busy, wait until the next class.
- Check in with them on their expectations for auditors in their classroom, including whether they are open to an occasional question from Scholars once students have had a chance to reply and comment.
Introduce yourself to students around you and other Scholars you see in your class. Should you show up late to class or miss class, please communicate with other students/Scholars about what you missed. Please refrain from asking the professor about what was missed.
If the class is not what you expected and you need to drop a class, please contact the Longevity Center Senior Scholars Program Coordinator. We will notify the instructor that you are dropping and address any concerns you may have.
Please be mindful that in smaller classes, irregular attendance can be disruptive to the instructor and other students. If you know you have to miss several classes, please consider taking the class during a future quarter.
The Senior Scholars office sends out a class feedback form at the end of each quarter. If you have feedback on your class, this is a great place to provide that information. We ask that all feedback comes to the Longevity Center Senior Scholars Program Coordinator.
Please do not talk on the phone during class and silence all electronic devices in class.
Please arrive on-time for class. Restrict entering and exiting the classroom to emergencies only.
Please thank your professor in person at the end of the term.

Campus Information

Can I get a library card?

As a Senior Scholar at UCLA, you are eligible for an external user library card.

Take the one-page course confirmation sheet you receive from the Senior Scholars office after

being approved for a class and a valid ID to the circulation desk at Young Research Library (YRL) or Powell Library.

They will issue you an External User card that can be used at all campus libraries except the School of Law.

View a map of UCLA libraries: https://www.maps.ucla.edu/?id=2043#!ct/75713?s/

Where can I view movies for class?

Students and staff may view materials in the Powell Library Media Lab, Room 270, by making a request preferably three business days in advance. Search the IMCS collection catalog by title, format, subject matter, director or other terms. Many IMCS titles also appear in UC Library Search. Go to this link for more information and read the FAQ on requesting videos for viewing. https://guides.library.ucla.edu/videocollections

What if my class has Bruincasts?

Some classes have podcasts of lectures called Bruincasts. If you would like access to these Bruincasts, please notify the Senior Scholars Program Coordinator and we will coordinate with the Bruincast Office.

Is there Wi-Fi on campus?

Wireless access is available to anyone with a wireless enabled device at Ackerman Union, Northern Lights Cafe, Kerckhoff Hall, Powell Library and Charles E. Young Library using UCLA_WEB.
If you need Wi-Fi access in your classroom, contact the Senior Scholars office and we can provide a guest wireless account for you for the quarter.

Do I have access to online subscription resources (e.g. JSTOR, etc.)?

Off-campus access to online subscription sources are only available to current UCLA students, faculty and staff.
However, the public can view online subscription resources while physically in a campus library (using either the public desktop computers or Wi-Fi).

Can I print on campus?

Self-service copiers, printers and scanners are available in campus libraries. To use these devices, you must purchase a reusable visitor BruinCard from a BruinCard vending machine in the library. The cost of the card is 58 cents and the machines accept cash only. The cards are reusable and value can be added to them. However, refunds cannot be issued for any money left on a visitor BruinCard.

Can I receive Campus Alerts?

You can check for BruinAlerts by viewing the UCLABruinAlert Twitter website: https://twitter.com/UCLABruinAlert
To receive text message alerts: text “follow @UCLABruinAlert” to 40404 and you will receive a text message whenever a BruinAlert is sent.

Am I eligible for a UCLA Student ID (Bruincard)?

No. Only faculty, staff and fully enrolled students can have a Bruincard and university ID number.

Where can I find out about special lectures or events on campus?

http://happenings.ucla.edu/

Getting to Campus/Parking

Public Transportation

Public transportation can be an affordable alternative to parking on campus. Several buses stop at UCLA:

Culver City 6: 35 cents per ride for age 62+
Big Blue Bus 1, 2, 3, 8 and Rapid 12: 50 cents per ride for age 62+
METRO 2 and 302: 75 cents per ride for age 62+; 35 cents at off-peak hrs.

View where different buses stop at UCLA: https://transportation.ucla.edu/

Plan your public transit route here: http://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/transit/#mdy

Accessible Parking

Individuals with disabilities may purchase an accessible permit for $10 a day from Parking & Info Kiosks on campus. There is a kiosk at the Westholme/Hilgard campus entrance. Kiosks accept cash only.

Short-Term Campus Parking

Self-service parking pay stations in lots throughout campus are perfect for those on campus for only a class or two at a time. In most parking lots, rates range from $3.00 an hour to $13 a day.

Rates by Parking Structure:

https://transportation.ucla.edu/campus-parking

How to Use Self-Service Pay Stations

Park in a Parking Pay Station space and take note of your stall number (Please note that Pay Stations in Structure 3 South, Lot 11 and Lot 36 do not require you to specify a stall number.).
Go to the nearest Parking Pay Station. If prompted, enter your stall number into the Parking Pay Station by using the number pad.
Choose the amount of time that you would like to spend on campus (all-day passes can also be purchased at Parking Pay Stations). Enter your payment using cash or credit card. Pay stations accept $1, $5, & $10 bills and don’t give change. Return to your vehicle and display the ticket face up on the driver’s side of your dashboard.

Monthly Parking ePermit

Effective May 2019, parking permits can now be purchased online. Unfortunately, quarterly permits are no longer available to Senior Scholars, but you will be able to obtain a 7 day permit for $65 or 30 day permit for $168 online. Your driver’s license will now serve as proof of your permit. This permit will be valid for your assigned parking structure at any time during the quarter.
To purchase a permit online, create a guest account at https://transportation.ucla.edu/bruin-epermit-system and email your guest account ID number to the Senior Scholars Coordinator, who will contact you and grant you access to purchase a 7 or 30 day permit.