Duke Pre-College

What Duke Pre-College does

Duke Pre-College, the entity profiled, is in substance Duke University's Office of Continuing Studies operating under Duke Learning Innovation and Lifetime Education (LILE). Its flagship is the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke (OLLI at Duke), a membership-based lifelong learning program for adults aged 50+ serving more than 2,000 members with 200+ courses annually across fall, winter, spring, and summer terms. Curriculum spans art and architecture, history, literature, performing arts, science and technology, wellness, and writing, delivered through a hybrid model of in-person classes (primarily at the Judea Reform Congregation Education Building in Durham, NC, with extensions into local retirement communities and Duke campus venues) and synchronous online sessions via Zoom. The program is sustained by a member-led volunteer governance structure including Curriculum, Instructor Relations, Member Engagement, and 50th Anniversary committees, plus 12+ Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and a BrightCrowd-powered member directory.

Beyond OLLI, the portfolio includes professional certificate programs — Legal Nurse Consulting (eight-module virtual classroom program for RNs) and the Nonprofit Management suite (Individual Classes, Intensive Track, and the $4,250 Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership currently on pause for 2026) — plus non-degree undergraduate and graduate coursework, auditing options, and a special employee tuition rate program for Duke University staff. The core technology stack centers on a Student Portal handling course registration, Zoom integration, course recording access (recordings available within 48 hours, retained 30 days post-term), and multi-factor authentication; supporting tools include Constant Contact for newsletters, SignUpGenius for event RSVPs, Box for travel document distribution, and YouTube for instructional video.

The business model is hybrid membership-plus-tuition. OLLI charges a $60 annual membership (non-refundable, valid March 1–June 30 of the following year) plus individually priced course fees. Certificate and non-degree tuition follows standard university pricing — $9,218 per undergraduate course credit, $4,055 per graduate unit effective Fall 2026, $535 per audit credit, and reduced rates for Duke employees ($975/credit for-credit, $100 for audit). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via online registration, with travel programs layered on top as a separate paid experiential stream. As a wholly owned component of Duke University's educational mission, the unit has no external shareholders, no venture or private equity backing, and no publicly disclosed revenue figures; funding flows through Duke's institutional resources, tuition, and membership fees.

Name

Duke Pre-College

Legal name

Duke University

Website

https://learnmore.duke.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Duke Continuing Studies, a unit of Duke University, runs OLLI at Duke (a lifelong learning membership program for 2,000+ adults 50+), professional certificates (Legal Nurse Consulting, Nonprofit Management), and non-degree undergraduate and graduate coursework, delivered via in-person classes and Zoom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD)

Keywords

• Continuing education
• Lifelong learning
• Professional certificates
• Nonprofit management
• Legal nurse consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Durham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership dues of $60, valid from March 1 through June 30 of the following calendar year. Membership is nonrefundable and required to register for courses and participate in activities.
2. Course Fees: Individual course fees vary by program and format. OLLI courses are individually priced with fees listed in the course catalog. Payment is required at registration via credit card.
3. Audit Fees: Community members and Duke employees can audit Duke courses for academic credit. Fees range from $100 per course credit (employee rate) to $535 per course credit (regular rate).
4. Undergraduate/Graduate Tuition: Non-degree undergraduate courses at $9,218 per course credit (Fall/Spring) and $3,145-$4,025 for Summer. Graduate courses at $4,055 per unit ($12,165 for a 3-unit course).
5. Employee Tuition Program: Duke employees receive special tuition rates: $975 per undergraduate course for credit, $100 per course for audit. Maximum two courses per Fall/Spring semester or one per Summer term.
6. Executive Certificate Tuition: Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership program priced at $4,250, with $800 scholarship available for Certificate in Nonprofit Management graduates. Duke employees receive 10% discount.
7. Travel Program Fees: Educational travel experiences including local excursions, regional journeys, domestic multi-day programs, and international travel. Fees vary by program and include educational content, experienced guides, and OLLI staff support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Duke Pre-College, as part of Duke University's continuing education offerings, provides lifelong learning programs for adults through OLLI at Duke (membership-based courses for learners 50+), professional certificate programs (Legal Nurse Consulting, Nonprofit Management, Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership), and non-degree undergraduate and graduate coursework available to the community. The programs are delivered in-person, online via Zoom, and through a student portal, with both credit and audit options available.

Product overview

Duke Pre-College through its Office of Continuing Studies offers a multi-program portfolio centered on lifelong learning for adults (primarily 50+) through the OLLI at Duke program, alongside professional development certificates (Legal Nurse Consulting, Nonprofit Management) and university-level coursework for non-degree seeking students. The OLLI program serves as the flagship community offering over 200 courses per year across diverse topics, supplemented by Special Interest Groups, travel programs, and volunteer opportunities. Professional certificate programs provide career-focused training in legal nursing and nonprofit management. University coursework enables community members and Duke employees to take undergraduate or graduate courses for credit or audit at reduced rates. The Student Portal serves as the central technology platform for course registration, online access via Zoom, and recorded content delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• OLLI Annual Membership Annual membership to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke, providing access to the lifelong learning community of 2,000+ members and a course catalog of 20+ courses per semester delivered in-person, online, or via Zoom. Members can also access travel programs, special interest groups, and reciprocity with other OLLI programs.
• OLLI Lifelong Learning Courses Non-credit personal enrichment courses for adults 50+ delivered through OLLI at Duke, with over 20 courses offered each fall and spring semester. Courses are taught by Duke instructors, experts, and community members and span arts, humanities, sciences, and current events.
• Legal Nurse Consulting Program Professional certificate program for registered nurses seeking to enter or advance in legal nurse consulting. The program is priced at $2,250 and provides specialized training to bridge nursing expertise with legal practice.
• Nonprofit Management Certificate Program Professional certificate program targeted at working professionals in the nonprofit sector, with individual classes priced at $1,350 and a comprehensive certificate track covering nonprofit management fundamentals.
• Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership Executive-level certificate program designed for nonprofit leaders seeking advanced leadership training and credentialing through Duke Continuing Studies.
• Non-Degree Undergraduate Coursework Non-degree undergraduate courses available to community members seeking academic experience without enrolling in a full degree program at Duke.
• Non-Degree Graduate Coursework Non-degree graduate courses available to community members seeking academic experience at the graduate level without enrolling in a full degree program at Duke.
• Audit Courses Option to audit existing Duke courses with instructor permission, allowing community members to participate in coursework without enrolling for credit or pursuing a degree.
• Duke Employee Tuition Rates Discounted tuition rates offered to Duke University employees enrolling in non-degree continuing education coursework at Duke.
• OLLI Special Interest Groups Member-led special interest groups available to OLLI at Duke members, enabling peer-led engagement around shared interests beyond formal courses.
• OLLI Travel Programs Group travel programs offered to OLLI at Duke members, extending the lifelong learning experience beyond the classroom.
• OLLI Reciprocity Program Reciprocity arrangement through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute network that allows OLLI at Duke members to engage with other OLLI programs across the United States.

Quantifiable outcome

• OLLI serves more than 2,000 members with 200+ courses annually across diverse topics
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Woman's College Alumnae AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1969OLLI at Duke traces its origins to the Woman's College Alumnae Association, which launched the Office of Continuing Studies in 1969 to assist nontraditional female students with returning to college and completing their undergraduate degrees.
• Osher FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Osher Foundation provides ongoing support for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Duke. The program is officially named the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI at Duke), indicating a national network of similar programs supported by the Bernard Osher Foundation.
• Judea Reform CongregationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMost in-person OLLI courses are held at the Judea Reform Congregation Education Building in Durham, NC. The partnership provides classroom facilities for the lifelong learning program.
• Duke University Academic DepartmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLLI instructors come from diverse backgrounds including retired Duke faculty, graduate and postdoctoral students, working artists, local business owners, independent scholars, and occasionally politicians. This provides deep integration with Duke's academic resources.
• Academic and Professional GroupsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLLI collaborates with academic and professional groups, retirement communities, various research projects on aging, and other institutes for learning in retirement to fulfill Duke University's commitment to community service and lifelong learning.
• Nearby Retirement CommunitiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOLLI offers courses at various retirement communities in the region including Croasdaile Village Retirement Community, Carol Woods Retirement Community, and Seymour Center, extending programming beyond Duke campus.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• UCLA Extension: One of the largest U.S. continuing education programs, offering certificates, professional development, and lifelong learning courses. Directly comparable to Duke Continuing Studies in breadth of certificate offerings and adult learner focus.
• Columbia University School of Professional Studies: Columbia's unit offering professional master's degrees, certificates, and continuing education. Comparable to Duke's portfolio in tying Ivy League brand to professional and non-degree credential programs for working adults.
• Harvard Extension School: Continuing education arm of Harvard University offering non-degree courses, professional certificates, and graduate programs to adult learners. Directly comparable to Duke's Continuing Studies portfolio in target audience, credential offerings, and prestigious university branding.
• Stanford Continuing Studies: Stanford's non-credit lifelong learning program offering liberal arts and sciences courses to adult learners. Closely matches OLLI at Duke's mission, course format, and affiliation with a top-tier research university.
• UC Berkeley Extension: Berkeley's continuing education division providing professional certificates, university-level coursework, and lifelong learning. Mirrors Duke's combination of credit-bearing, audit, and non-credit offerings tied to a major research university.
• MIT Professional Education: MIT's professional development and continuing education division offering short courses, certificates, and customized programs. Comparable to Duke's professional certificate portfolio (Legal Nurse Consulting, Nonprofit Leadership) in premium pricing and university-affiliated expertise.
• NYU School of Professional Studies: NYU's continuing and professional education arm offering certificates, diplomas, and non-degree programs. Similar structure to Duke Continuing Studies in serving working adults with stackable credentials.
• Road Scholar: Premier U.S. provider of educational travel and learning adventures for adults aged 50+. Directly comparable to OLLI's travel program and shared 50+ demographic, though without university affiliation.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of North Carolina (UNC): Closest peer by both network affiliation (Osher Foundation) and geography; offers an identical structure of lifelong learning courses, SIGs, and travel for adults 50+ in the Research Triangle region, directly overlapping with OLLI at Duke's catchment area.
• Northwestern University School of Professional Studies: Northwestern's continuing education division offering graduate, undergraduate, and professional programs for adult learners. Comparable in mission and target audience to Duke's Continuing Studies, including non-degree and credit-bearing coursework.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/duke-pre-college

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Duke Pre-College