Founded 1998
Stephen C. Zelnick, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Jodi Levine, Assistant Vice Provost for University Studies
Gary Milsark, Faculty Director
Academic Resource Center
113 Curtis Hall
1301 Montgomery Avenue
www.temple.edu/university_studies
University Studies is the academic home for students who have not yet decided on a major and students in pre-allied health programs including pre-pharmacy. In addition, Learning Communities and Freshman Seminars, two academic programs available to ALL Temple students, are coordinated by University Studies.
Goals and Objectives
University Studies, formed in 1998, began as a center for advising and first-year programs for students who had not declared majors and for that reason were matriculated in the College of Liberal Arts. University Studies is intended to serve any Temple student who has not chosen a collegiate home or declared a major or who needs assistance while changing from one college to another.The goal of University Studies is to enhance the undergraduate experience at Temple by improving academic support through academic advising and first-year programs. University Studies continues to serve the University as a whole by maintaining and developing first-year programs, including Learning Communities, Freshman Seminars, and Supplemental Instruction in cooperation with the undergraduate schools/colleges and other academic support centers.
University Studies is not a degree-granting college. Rather it is an academic unit that exists to help students explore academic options and to gain admission to a degree-granting school or college at Temple. Students enter University Studies or another Temple school/college according to guidelines established by the Office of the Provost and the individual schools and colleges.
Academic Advising Services and Policies
Academic advisers are important sources of information on University policies and procedures, the Core Curriculum requirements, and degree programs. While students must assume primary responsibility for knowing the requirements for their degree and for acquiring information about their academic status, academic advisers are a valuable resource. Advisers introduce students to the various sources of information available on academic programs, enabling students to be well-informed partners in their own education.Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with academic advisers to discuss academic plans, course selection, and registration. Students not eligible for telephone registration are required to see an adviser for course selection and registration.
Academic Resource Center
Curtis Hall 113
(215) 204-2500, 2501
e-mail: arc@blue.temple.edu
http://www.temple.edu/university_studies
Currently, all students enrolled in University Studies use the advising services of the Academic Resource Center, an academic support program established in 1997 to meet the needs of deciding students. Any student at Temple, whether enrolled in University Studies or not, is welcome and encouraged to participate in the first-year programs or to use the services of the Academic Resource Center.
At the Academic Resource Center, a staff of professional and peer advisers work closely with students from the time they arrive at Temple through their successful transitions into schools/colleges and declared majors. Advisers meet with students on walk-in and appointment bases in both individual and group advising sessions.
The Center offers a variety of programs to help students select an appropriate major. Students can use a variety of print and on-line resources in our Academic Information Library to research academic majors and careers, participate in our workshop series on academic options, or attend the Academic Resource Center's annual Majors Fair. Students are welcome to stop by the Center or visit our website http://www.temple.edu/university_studies for a calendar of upcoming events.
Health Professions Advising
William Nathan, Ph.D.
Director of Health Professions Programs and Professor of Mathematics
Curtis Hall 109
(215) 204-8669
http://www.temple.edu/healthadvising
The Academic Resource Center offers specialized advising services for students interested in attending medical school, pursuing studies in allied health programs, or considering majors in preparation for jobs or professional study in health fields. Students can work with an adviser to develop an academic plan and to prepare for graduate study in health areas, including medical school. Services and resources include:
* A website containing information on undergraduate preparation for various health fields, including a list of the general curricular requirements for admission to medical, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, veterinary, and most allied health schools. (Note: Specific requirements vary depending upon professional area selected.) The site also contains general advising information, including timelines for preparing for professional and graduate study and links to related websites.
* Workshops and discussion series on current topics in health care.
* Connections to volunteer programs and internships in the Philadelphia region.
Visiting Departmental Advisers
Each semester, several programs across the University assign advisers to the Academic Resource Center. These advisers are available at specific times to meet with students interested in learning more about their academic programs and degree requirements. Programs that have provided visiting advisers in previous semesters include Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Health Information Management, Pharmacy, Tyler School of Art, and Health Studies.
Policies and Regulations
University policies and regulations generally apply to all undergraduates and provide a framework within which other academic programs or schools and colleges may specify additional conditions.Academic Distinctions
During the academic year, University Studies students who achieve a semester grade point average G.P.A of 3.5 or above with 12 or more graded credits are named to the University Studies Distinguished Scholars List. Students receive congratulatory letters and are invited to a reception hosted by the Academic Resource Center.
Courses Taken at Another Institution
Once enrolled at Temple, University Studies students must file a petition for prior approval to take courses at another institution. Students must be in good academic standing and can only petition to attend an institution more than 50 miles from any Temple campus. Petition forms are available at the Academic Resource Center.
Declaring a Major
University Studies students can declare majors throughout the year (except in January and August) in accordance with the declaration of major standards set forth by the individual schools and colleges and the intra-university transfer (IUT) guidelines established by the University. The advising staff of the Academic Resource Center assists students when they are ready to pursue academic programs in a school or college. Academic Resource Center programs begin with new student orientation, at which time University Studies students can request change in status from undecided to an academic program within a college.
At present time, there is no official University policy governing when students must declare a major. We anticipate that most students will leave University Studies between 15 and 45 credits into their undergraduate education and no later than 60 credits. Forms for declaring a major can be obtained in the Academic Resource Center.
Students currently enrolled in other school and colleges who are reconsidering their choice of major or who wish to explore other academic options may process an intra-university transfer application to enter University Studies as an undeclared major.
Probation and Dismissal
Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 are subject to probation. Students who fail to remove themselves from probation after one semester are subject to dismissal. Students not making progress toward successful entry into a degree program are also subject to probation and/or dismissal. Students on probation are required to see an academic adviser for all subsequent registration activity and are encouraged to meet with an adviser on a regular basis to discuss academic progress and success strategies. Students who are dismissed are invited to meet with an adviser to discuss their academic situation and/or file an appeal for reinstatement.
Readmission
University Studies students are required to submit an application for readmission after more than one academic-year semester (fall or spring) of non-attendance. Readmission forms can be obtained in the Academic Resource Center. Students who attended another institution during time away from Temple are required to submit an official transcript(s) for review before a readmission decision can be made. Students who left in poor academic standing (probation or dismissal) must submit a readmission form and schedule an interview with an adviser. Students who received a medical withdrawal must provide medical documentation clearing them to return to school and schedule an interview with an adviser before a readmission decision can be made.