Special Programs General Information

The programs listed in this section are available for all students intending to study at Temple University without having to be enrolled in a degree program.

The academic policies and regulations generally apply to all students and provide a framework within which schools and colleges may specify further conditions or variations appropriate to students in their courses or programs. Statements of academic policies and regulations apply to both matriculated and non-matriculated undergraduates unless explicitly noted otherwise. In addition to the description below, please refer to the Rights and Responsibilities and Academic Policies and Regulations for further information on particular policies that relate to students in these programs.

Temple University provides a broad administrative framework to present and support a wide range of University offerings not falling within the province of typical undergraduate and graduate degree work on Temple campuses. Credit-bearing courses are administered through the Continuing Education Office on various campuses. Registration for non-credit courses is handled through TUCC or Ft. Washington.

Course offerings under special programs respond to the differing needs of adults seeking additional education. Some offerings are of common interest to all, such as writing and general computer skills. Others, tailored for those adults who wish to change their work situation, focus on new skill and knowledge development. Course work is also designed for adults who wish to maintain their current work position in a profession that requires re-certification to maintain appropriate licenses. Course offerings also are geared to those adults seeking personal enrichment as their primary goal.

The form of programming includes credit certificates, non-credit professional certificates, and non-credit personal enrichment courses. The courses are offered at the following Temple sites: Temple University Ambler, Temple University Fort Washington, Temple University Center City, Harrisburg, and a variety of public and private off-campus sites through the auspices of Extension Services. Information about the services offered at each campus is presented below:

Main Campus:   The Main Campus Office of Continuing Education (TUCE) is the University's central office serving non-matriculated students. Non-matriculated students are those who have not been formally admitted to a degree program. The Office serves a variety of students including adults returning to school for undergraduate or graduate courses, professionals updating their skills, students taking courses to meet admissions requirements into graduate or professional schools, qualified students seeking undergraduate admission, students taking courses for personal enrichment, and visiting students. There is no formal application to enroll as a Continuing Education student, however, first-time enrollers are asked to provide documentation of education completed (high school transcript, GED certificate, college transcripts, college diploma).
Services include:

· individual academic advising
· informal evaluation of academic transcripts
· a general information center with University catalogs, course schedules, and admissions applications
· placement testing
· registration and schedule revisions
· referrals to other University services and programs

See Academic Policies and Regulations for non-matriculated students for more information.

Ambler/Ft. Washington: Temple University's Ambler and Fort Washington campuses offer extensive undergraduate, graduate, and non-credit courses/programs available days, evenings, and weekends. The Office of Non-Credit and Special Programs, located at TUFW, provides seminars at the Graduate Center in professional development and computer applications for today's workforce. Non-credit certificate programs can also be completed in Accounting, Editing, Interior Design, Meeting Planning, Wedding Planning, Computer Applications, Web Site Design, and IT programs in A+. Workshops are also available to help prepare for the SAT, GMAT, LSAT, and GRE. Personal enrichment courses are offered in writing, arts and literature, exercise, food and entertainment, horticulture, and wellness at Temple University Ambler. TUFW is also utilized by local corporations for training programs and meetings during the day. For more information about the workshops, open houses, or to receive catalogs or general information, please call or send an e-mail to the Welcome Center or fill out an online form located on the Temple Ambler/Fort Washington web site.

TUCC: TUCC offers a rich selection of non-credit programs and classes. These include courses for your personal enrichment from the Institute for Continuing Studies and Music Prep, courses leading to state licensure in the real estate field from the Real Estate Institute, lively classes on every conceivable subject for retirees provided by members of the Temple Association for Retired Persons (TARP), and career development seminars and professional certificate programs from The Business Agenda. Please check further information on non-credit programs in the section that follows and/or http://www.temple.edu/tucc/ .

Health Sciences Center (HSC): The Schools of Medicine (http://www.temple.edu/medschool/), Dentistry (http://www.temple.edu/dentistry/), and Pharmacy (http://www.temple.edu/pharmacy/), and the College of Allied Health Professions (http://www.temple.edu/CHP/) sponsor continuing education activities for their graduates as well as for graduates of other institutions. Many programs meet the requirements of professional accrediting agencies to take refresher courses or seminars in order to keep abreast of changes in the field.

Extension Services

Extension Services brings a Temple University education, both credit and non-credit courses, to organizations at their sites. The Temple At Work program has a long history of providing high quality creative programming, effective customer services, and enriching experiences such as study skills workshops, faculty office hours, and extra lectures by industry experts. Organizations with credit programs have included Keystone Mercy, Colonial Penn, and local school districts. Degree programs in nursing, education, and organizational studies are offered at conveniently located sites in Bucks, Delaware, and Montgomery counties, and in Philadelphia. Organizations interested in Temple at Work should contact Extension Services.

Certificate Programs

At Temple University, a certificate is a credit-bearing program of courses leading to a credential that recognizes the student’s work in a specialized area of knowledge. An undergraduate certificate may be part of a degree program or it may stand alone. It is distinct from an academic major or minor and should not be confused with the process of professional certification for teaching and other fields. Certificate programs often focus on the acquisition of specific skills recognized in the job market. They are open to undergraduates in all Temple schools and colleges and majors and are particularly useful to students seeking to document their exposure to fields and disciplines outside of their academic major and minor. Some majors recommend particular certificate programs to their students. Non-matriculated students should contact the department offering a certificate, as some certificates are restricted to matriculated students. The University Honors Program and the Fox School of Business and Management offer Honors certificates. You will find a partial listing of certificate programs below. For more detailed information, contact the school, college, or campus where the program is offered.

Programs with Academic Credit

Temple University offers a variety of special programs with academic credit. For further details, contact the school, college, or campus where the program is offered.

Visiting Students: Temple University welcomes students from other colleges and universities who wish to enroll in courses on any of our campuses. Students should bring or fax a permission form from their home institution, listing the specific Temple courses that have been approved for transfer. If the courses have prerequisites, students must provide proof of having taken and passed them. Some courses may also require special authorization from instructors or departments at Temple (e.g., Business Courses numbered 0100 and above).

In lieu of using the permission form from their home institutions, students may use the comprehensive, non-matriculated and visiting student registration form. This form must be faxed or sent via postal mail to the Temple University campus you are planning to attend. The full listing of the campus contact information for all campuses is available by visiting the Instructions for completing the Registration Form page.

Credit Transfer to Your Home Institution: In order to facilitate the transfer of credits, students should request that an academic transcript be sent from Temple to their home institution. The transcript request form is available by visiting Temple's Office of Academic Records website. It will not be sent out automatically. For further information, please contact the Office of Student Academic Records at 215-204-1131 or visit in person on the second floor, Conwell Hall, Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue, on the Main Campus. You may also visit the registration office at your campus of choice or go to their website at www.temple.edu/registrar for more information.

Undergraduate (non-matriculated) Students: Students who are not currently enrolled at another institution may be permitted to register for some courses as non-matriculated (non-degree) students. To enroll in undergraduate courses they must have earned a high school diploma with at least a 2.00 cumulative grade-point-average or a G.E.D. certificate. Students who have attended another college or university must provide a transcript of their previous academic work. With some exceptions, these students are required to take the University placement test before they can register. However, meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee enrollment as a non-matriculated student. For more information, and to speak with an academic adviser, please contact the Main Campus Office of Continuing Education or the office of the campus you wish to attend.

High School Students: High school students who will be entering their senior year in September 2004 may be eligible to register for college-level courses. Before they can register, they must secure and provide written authorization from their guidance counselor or high school principal, specifying the course(s) the student is authorized to take.

Summer Sessions: Temple University welcomes students from other colleges and universities, international students, as well as our own students, to enroll in a summer course at any one of our several campuses. We offer credit, non-credit, day and evening courses at our campuses. We also have several Study Abroad Programs in France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain. The faculty at Temple includes scientists, writers, artists, business experts, and consultants, all actively engaged in scholarship and research.

Institute on Aging: Gerontology is the study of aging and the issues that surround the aging process. The Institute on Aging offers a Certificate in Gerontology program in cooperation with schools and colleges throughout the University. Therefore, the certificate program is designed to provide the student with an interdisciplinary education along with practical experience in the field of aging.

Certificates in Gerontology are offered at the undergraduate and graduate level. The 18-credit-hour program may be completed in conjunction with a degree program or as a separate emphasis program for persons not currently enrolled in a degree program. All students must register and complete 15 credit hours and a field placement or action research project. Students are expected to finish the program within a five-year time span. No more than two gerontology electives may be taken prior to admission into the Program.

Non-credit programs

For further information on the following non-credit programs, you can visit Temple University Center City (http://www.temple.edu/tucc/), Temple University Alumni and Friends (http://www.temple.edu/alumni_friends/index.html) and Russell Conwell Center (http://www.temple.edu/RCC/) websites.

The Business Agenda: This program offers year-round training on a wide range of practical topics geared to all employee levels. Its curriculum has been carefully designed to meet the ongoing education needs of today's business community in the areas of communications, management and leadership, computer applications, and computer programming. Call (215) 204-4335 for more information.

Continuing Studies: Continuing Studies responds to the needs of the growing number of adults who seek new avenues for personal growth. Explore new areas of interest and meet others like yourself in an educational environment designed to fit your schedule. Continuing Studies offers courses in the following areas: Acting, Creative Arts, Dance, Financial Management, Food and Entertainment, Health and Well-Being, Languages, Practical Skills (including GRE, GMAT, and LSAT Preparation), Reading and Writing, and Trips and Tours. Call (215) 204-6946 for more information.

Real Estate Institute: Real Estate Institute is the largest professional consumer education program in the tri-state area offering pre-licensure or basic real estate courses as well as a broad spectrum of elective courses, all taught by state-certified real estate instructors. The Real Estate Institute's courses are fully accredited by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission and are intended for those seeking state licensure and/or professional advancement but not an academic degree. The courses allow you to qualify for the Pennsylvania Salesperson Licensing examination and, together with a three-year apprenticeship and additional courses, for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Brokers examination. All students who successfully complete each course of study are awarded Real Estate educational credits and a Temple Real Estate Institute transcript plus certificate. Call (215) 204-1530 for more information.

Music Prep: Music Prep offers continuing opportunities for musical growth and enrichment for people of all ages and abilities, from the beginner to the experienced musician. There are programs designed for preschool through high school age students who are considering music as a future career or serious avocation and for adults who wish to develop their musical skills and interests. Call (215) 204-1512 for more information.

Temple Association for Retired Professionals (TARP): TARP is a membership organization designed for retirees. Men and women join TARP to pursue their educational interests at the university level without the traditional course structure. Members become both students and leaders/teachers in the special courses, seminars, workshops, and other educational programs sponsored by TARP. Study and discussion courses cover such topics as current affairs, literature, languages, art, physical education, music, religion, theater, and science. Members also may sit-in on one University undergraduate course each semester, subject to University policy. Call (215) 204-1505 for more information.

Temple Senior Scholars: Temple University welcomes its senior alumni back to campus through the  Temple Senior Scholars, now in its third year. Co-sponsored by the University and the General Alumni Association, Temple Senior Scholars offers alumni age 60 and up the opportunity to return to Temple's thriving Main Campus and audit a variety of regularly scheduled classes for a nominal fee.. All  courses are taught by Temple's accomplished professors and offer senior alumni the opportunity to interact with a new generation of Temple students while experiencing the joy of lifelong learning.

Discounted parking, library privileges, and courtesy computer accounts are provided to Senior Scholars for the semester. If you are an alumnus/a age 60+ and reside in the greater Delaware Valley and would like to become a Temple Senior Scholar, please contact Christine Brady, Associate Director of Alumni Relations, at 215- 204-4313 or christine.brady@temple.edu.

Russell Conwell Center Non Credit Programs: The Russell Conwell Center (RCC) offers a series of Certificate Programs designed to increase student’s proficiency in various skill areas. Sample Certificate Programs include: Public Speaking, Creating Professional Presentations with PowerPoint, Utilizing Access, Becoming Proficient with Excel, and Financial Management, Budgeting and Investing.
To register or for more information, contact the RCC at 215-204-1252.