Students come from all walks of life and include people of all ages.
What unites them is a common interest in a particular topic. While a number of courses require texts and may include assignments, most are not graded as students monitor their own progress. Instructors have observed that students involved in personal enrichment are generally self-motivated with a sincere desire to learn. Students also have access to Penn State facilities and services. Courses are designed to introduce or sharpen skills, address special topics or concepts, or aid in developing one's self-awareness.