Duke University

Duke University offers continuing studies programs designed to engage individuals, organizations, and communities in foundational and transformative learning experiences. Duke's goal is to provide lifetime educational enrichment, address workforce gaps, and be the partner of choice for global lifelong learners.

We serve Duke University by working to create a community of students who embrace growth, collaboration, creativity, integrity, and a sense of inclusion. We strive to identify and enroll students who demonstrate intellectual strengths, a love of learning, a sense of imagination and open-mindedness, and a commitment to their communities; we seek students who make things better and treat others well.

In creating our community we particularly seek students who honor and collectively represent a wide range of talents, backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives. We believe a diverse community better prepares students for an enriching undergraduate experience and lives of meaning and impact. We will consider each applicant as an individual, and consider especially the context of their unique circumstances and the disparity in opportunities and resources facing students, families, schools, and communities.

We are committed to upholding and promoting Duke’s commitment to equity. We will communicate internally and externally with honesty and clarity and will treat our colleagues with respect, understanding, and kindness.

About Our Programs

Duke Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education offers continuing studies programs designed to engage individuals, organizations, and communities in foundational, interactive, and transformative learning experiences. Our goal is to provide lifetime educational enrichment, address workforce gaps, and be the partner of choice for global lifelong learners of today and the future.

About Us

Duke Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education (LILE) is Duke University’s central source for teaching and learning innovation on campus and through Duke’s professional, continuing, and online education offerings. Our research-driven educational consulting and market-driven lifetime learning opportunities serve all learners, from pre-college to post-career.

We serve Duke faculty, students, staff, alumni, and our global community of lifetime learners by working to:

• Increase teaching and learning effectiveness through a culture of data-informed and research-driven educational innovation.
• Grow the community of Duke learners by creating in-demand educational programs and services.
• Broaden access to Duke learning opportunities for all through inclusive pathways to learn for all types of learners – anywhere, at any age.
• Be a trusted partner to our people, programs, and partners.

Our History

Launched by the Woman's College Alumnae Association in 1969, the Office of Continuing Studies was created to assist nontraditional female students with returning to college and completing their undergraduate degrees. During the 1970s, Continuing Studies broadened its scope and expanded in size, offering enrichment classes through the Short Courses program and the Duke Institute for Learning in Retirement. Summer conferences and academic residential camps emerged in the 1980s, with professional certificate programs, corporate training, and distance learning later added as additional outreach programs.