University of North Texas 
Teach for OLLI at UNT
The deadline for Spring 2026 proposals has passed.
Our Summer 2026 semester will take place in June & July with non-credit courses being offered in person at each of our classroom locations as well as virtually through Zoom. Our partners at CC Young Senior Living in Dallas are able to livestream courses taught at their location. You can propose to teach in person, online, or both.
Sign up to receive future calls for proposals
Our Proposal Process
All proposals received prior to the deadline will be reviewed by our Curriculum Committee (made up of OLLI at UNT members) and considered for inclusion in our upcoming semester. If your course is accepted, our staff will contact you to confirm a schedule and arrange logistics for your presentation.
Our proposal form asks for the following information:
- Your personal contact information, credentials, and a brief biography (1 - 3 sentences)
- Your proposed course title (10 - 12 words), description (2 - 4 sentences), and length (90 minutes - 6 hours)
- Your schedule availability and preferred classroom location(s)
- Any special equipment/technology needs or other unique requests.
Semesters & Proposal Deadlines
We offer 3 semesters per year:
- Fall (September - November)
- Call for Fall Proposals: May
- Spring (February - April)
- Call for Spring Proposals: September
- Summer (June & July)
- Call for Summer Proposals: February
Our exact proposal deadlines are determined on a semester-by-semester basis, depending on our scheduling and printing needs.
Benefits
- An OLLI at UNT instructor may attend courses during the semester they teach at no cost. To claim a complimentary membership, contact olli@unt.edu.
- Anyone who teaches for OLLI at UNT will receive a letter of appreciation from our Senior Director. For current UNT faculty, staff, or graduate students, the letter will also be sent to their corresponding Dean and Chair.
- Teaching for OLLI at UNT is a unique volunteer opportunity that is very valuable on a resume or CV.
- Those who teach for OLLI at UNT are invited to our annual Faculty Appreciation events.
- CC Young Stipend: Thanks to a generous financial contribution from CC Young, we are able to offer a $300 stipend to instructors who are selected to teach at their senior living facility in Dallas.
- Provost's OLLI Faculty Award: UNT Provost Michael McPherson, who served as an early member of our program's advisory board, recognizes OLLI instructors who go above and beyond in offering dynamic learning experiences for our members. Each year, the Provost's office awards $500 to instructors in recognition of their exceptional service to OLLI at UNT members.
FAQs
How long do OLLI at UNT courses last?
A single course session lasts for 90 minutes. Instructors should use that time to
give a detailed and engaging lecture, saving 5-10 minutes for member questions. A
course can consist of as many as four 90-minute sessions, with the presentation continuing
from one session to the next. We aim to provide our members with educational activities
that allow them to engage in a substantive way with important ideas and subject matter.
Keeping in line with that mission, we encourage our instructors to consider teaching
a multi-session course.
Who can teach an OLLI course?
Many who teach for OLLI at UNT are retired professors, but others are active faculty,
subject matter experts, or area professionals who are interested in sharing their
knowledge and experience with a community of senior learners. You can teach in your
area of academic expertise, or you can offer courses in subjects of personal interest
to you. Teaching for OLLI at UNT is done on a volunteer basis.
How do I know if my course is appropriate for OLLI?
An ideal OLLI course is rigorously prepared, well organized, and presented by an expert
on the subject. Our members are lifelong learners age 50 and better who enjoy deeply
researched, engaging presentations that feed their curiosity. Instructors should provide
definitions for key terms and jargon as members may not have a background in the subject
being taught. OLLI courses should be solely intended to educate our members, not to
facilitate financial gain of the instructor or of any other individuals or organizations,
either directly or by increasing business or contribution opportunities. We also ask
that all those who teach for OLLI at UNT observe our Faculty Guidelines.
It is incredibly rewarding and creatively motivating. I get to teach about what I am really passionate about and I get to do the research that I am super excited about...and get to share that knowledge with other people.
I just enjoy the environment of OLLI classes and the whole setup. I think it's a really positive way to share the different aspects of what the university is teaching.
I'm always so impressed by the professionalism of the staff, the engagement of the OLLI members who come to our programming, and the opportunity that OLLI programming provides for me to flex some of my research skills.
OLLI administrators always encourage creative curricula, and OLLI members are some of the most generous students I work with in terms of their excitement for new ideas, lecture participation, and feedback.
