Boston is often called America’s college town for its large population of 20-something students working toward a degree. But on Beacon Hill there is another kind of student: one who doesn't want a diploma but simply loves learning.

These students have found a way to pursue higher education with and from their peers at Beacon Hill Seminars, a nonprofit, continuing adult education program on Mount Vernon Street. 

 “You meet a whole bunch of smart, intellectually stimulating people in an environment that’s equally as intellectually stimulating,” said Cheryl Miller, executive director of Beacon Hill Seminars. 

BHS began 10 years ago from a Harvard Institute of Learning and Retirement affiliate who took the idea of lifelong learning through a varied curriculum and class discussions and “decided to import it across the river,” said Miller. 

Students can be of any age but most are between their 60s and 80s or have already embarked on retirement. This dynamic, according to BHS instructor, David Maister, adds a unique element to the classroom. 

“Most of these people have led very interesting careers, retired doctors and lawyers and artists and people who have had interesting careers so it’s a very stimulating crowd,” he said.

Maister, who is retired, and his wife started taking classes at BHS two years ago.

“I find a special benefit as a married couple because we get to take classes together and we have the fun of discussing it after classes so it really enriched our lives by creating shared experiences and shared learning.”

Maister now offers a class on American Humorists, a topic he considers a personal hobby, and finds that he also takes away new perspectives from the class.

“I discovered in the 30 or so people who have signed up for my course, about 20 of them signed up because they wanted to learn about these people,” he said, “but there were 10 people in the class who were equally as knowledgeable and passionate about these humorous as I was. So they have been sharing very very freely.”

This environment of shared learning is the ultimate goal of the program. Even the instructors, many of whom are retired as well, lecture on a volunteer basis.

“Teachers teach pro bono,” said Miller, “for the sheer love of teaching, which makes us extremely lucky."

The program offers 18 to 22 courses over two semesters per year with topics ranging from art history to creative writing to current affairs. 

“[My wife and I] have taken course in forensics where the teacher was explaining the reality behind all the TV shows, like CSI and Bones, and how much of it is real,” said Maister. “That was great fun having someone explain that.”

Each course is comprised of four to 15 two-hour sessions per semester. All courses are held during the day and are considered to be equivalent to university-level courses, although they are not accredited. Students come for the pure joy of learning, which, Miller says, is a crucial passion to exercise.

“It’s important because it makes you feel alive and vital and part of what’s going on in the world,” she said.

New students can register for the spring by completing a form available online at http://www.beaconhillseminars.org/registration/ or find out more information by calling 617-523-0970.