Returning Scholars Program Overview | UChicago Graham School

The Returning Scholars program at UChicago offers adults the chance to audit courses across the university without pursuing a degree, raising the question of what it means to learn purely for its own sake. The program is designed for adults who want to engage with the University of Chicago at a deep level, moving beyond public lectures or casual reading to sit in actual courses alongside degree-seeking students. Participants audit classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level, drawn from nearly every corner of the university's curriculum. The individuals who tend to come to the program share a set of attributes: they are described as infinitely curious, rigorous in their thinking, innovative, and collaborative. They want to learn for its own sake rather than for credit or credentials, and they are drawn to seminars that require genuine discernment and ambitious thinking. Students typically arrive with specific intellectual themes they want to pursue and then identify the faculty and courses that match those interests. Recent course selections have ranged from African American history and global mental health to international relations, environmental policy, housing, and theological perspectives on hope. The only access restrictions apply to a narrow set of professional degree requirements, such as core coursework in the medical school, leaving the overwhelming majority of the university's catalog available. All courses are taught by tenure and tenure-track faculty who are both active researchers and dedicated educators. Participants receive a UChicago email address and are enrolled as full students of the university, which carries a number of practical benefits. They have complete access to the university library system, including the option to schedule personalized research meetings tied to their specific intellectual goals. Academic advising is provided by program staff, and returning scholars are also eligible to attend academic workshops across campus that are otherwise restricted to enrolled students. The full range of virtual and in-person university events is open to them as well. The program describes this combination as a twofer: access to the specific audited course of your choosing plus full membership in the intellectual community of the university. 0:00 What the Returning Scholars Program Is 0:37 Who the Program Is Designed For 0:49 Rigor and Ambition in the Classroom 1:08 Seminar Format and Course Access 1:55 Breadth of Courses Available 2:19 Who Teaches the Courses 2:33 Academic Advising and Support 2:49 Library Access and Research Meetings 3:04 Campus Workshops and Student Status 3:17 Full University Community Membership Learn more about the Returning Scholars program at UChicago Graham School here: graham.uchicago.edu/program/gsal/graduate-student-at-large-returning-scholars/