Senior Guest Program

The Kent State Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center's Senior Guest Program is designed to encourage Ohio's Senior Citizens to attend classes. Register below during the designated registration period every semester.

Senior guests are adults 60 years old or older can attend many classes for free on a noncredit, space-available basis.

Many seniors attend Art, English, Geology, History, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, and Psychology undergraduate classes.
Seniors may participate in a graduate course if they meet the prerequisites for the class.
Senior guest students are encouraged to complete class assignments and participate in class discussions and activities, but always at the discretion of the instructor. Taking exams is optional.
Senior guests must purchase textbooks and pay any special course fees, including distance learning fees for online courses.
Senior guests do not receive grades and no credit is awarded.
Senior guests may request to enroll in one to two courses per semester during the designated registration period.

Registration Information and Process

This registration is for courses at the Geauga Campus and Twinsburg Academic Center only. To find registration for all other Kent State campuses, visit the Campus Contact Information page.
Eligibility: Any person who is sixty years of age or older and who has resided in the state of Ohio for at least one year.
Kent State Geauga will contact faculty/department and notify you if your course request is approved or denied.
Need help choosing classes? We are happy to help! Call us to set up an appointment before the registration period opens at 440-834-4187.

SENIOR GUEST FAQs

Senior Guest Spring 2025 Registration

Spring 2025 registration starts January 3, 2025 10:00 a.m. - January 7, 2025 5:00 p.m.
A link will be available January 3.

No pre-registration is required.
Late registrations cannot be accommodated.
Any distance learning and course fees will be billed through the Bursar's Office. Check your kent.edu email and FlashLine for your e-bill.
If you have any outstanding balance, we will not be able to register you until this is cleared with the Bursar's office.
The senior guest administrator will contact faculty/department and notify you by email, if your course request is approved or denied.

Note:

Please do not email, call, visit or otherwise contact a faculty member, school director, department chair, etc., to request admission to a course. In all cases, the university's decision is final.
Please do not attend a course if you have not been approved to do so.
To successfully participate in this program, you must have access to a computer, laptop, or tablet. You will need to have internet access, know how to navigate websites, and be able to participate in an online environment to access assignments, messages from the professor, etc.

How to Search for Classes

Go to the Course Schedules page
- Click on Searchable Schedule
- Select the Term you wish to attend
- Click the Detailed Class Search button
  - You must select these required fields, but you can enter other information to narrow your search, such as Course Number if you know it
    1. Subject: at least one subject must be selected
    2. Campus: Geauga Campus
    3. Course Level: Undergraduate
    4. Click Search

Additional Information:

Distance Learning Fees / Flash Book Charges

Senior Guests are responsible for the payment of all course fees covering materials and supplies, as well as, the $15 per credit hour distance learning fee assessed for all online courses. Senior Guests are also responsible for the purchase of books.

Flash Book Charges
Important: If your course is included in the Flash Book Program you will automatically receive, and be billed for, the digital textbook.

To Opt-Out: To opt-out of Flash Books, login to your course in Canvas, select the Flash Books icon, and select the opt-out link in the top menu. Follow the directions in the opt-out link to complete the opt-out process. By opting out, you are responsible for obtaining the required course materials outlined by your instructor for your course.

Questions regarding Flash Books email flashbooks@kent.edu.

Content Type: eTextbook content is accessed by clicking on the Flash Books icon in your Canvas course. Publisher Courseware is made available by your instructor through a separate link in your Canvas course.

Fees are course fees and distance learning fees ($15.00 per credit hour).

In order to determine whether your selected course(s) requires a fee, visit the Schedule of Classes. Once you have located your course, click on the dollar sign icon. See the image below for additional guidance.

Senior Guest Fee Example

If your course does not require a distance learning or course fee, no further action is required.

Please contact us by email at continuinged@kent.edu with any questions.

Please note: If you are not granted permission to enroll in your selected course, distance learning and course fees will be refunded if using a credit card.

Program Policies & Guidelines

The Senior Guest administrator will contact the faculty member and notify you whether your course request has been approved or denied.
Course requests will be submitted as soon as possible. However, we cannot guarantee admission by the start of classes. A variety of unavoidable factors may result in Senior Guests beginning a course as late as a week after the official start date.
Remember that courses are first and foremost intended to serve the needs of the students who are enrolled for credit. Therefore, we ask that Senior Guests not engage in behaviors that are troublesome or inappropriate.
Senior Guests may select up to two (2) courses and one (1) alternate.
The following programs are NOT included in the Senior Guest program: Architecture, Fashion, Nursing, Theatre, Kent Blossom Art and independent study.

Please read the full list of program policies and guidelines below before submitting your registration.

All Senior Guest Program Guidelines (Text) (PDF)

Getting Started in Your Online Course

One of the key factors in being successful in online courses is effectively utilizing resources. This page provides a list of comprehensive support services, including tips and tricks for getting your computer ready, strategies to be a successful online student, policies, and direct links to student academic services.

Interested in learning more about becoming an online student at Kent State? View all Available Online Degrees.