New Student Orientation
Welcome to Temple
Welcome to Temple University and the College of Education! We are delighted that you chose Temple and our goal is to ensure that you enjoy a rewarding and enriching experience.
The necessary information for your studies at Temple is quite extensive, therefore, we have provided an overview of that information in this Virtual Orientation to help you through this first year. We have tried to include the most relevant and important information you might need, but since every student is unique, you may have additional questions. Please feel free to contact the Graduate Programs Office at any time that you need answers or advice. .
Policies and Procedures
Continuous Enrollment:
Temple University requires continuous enrollment from the time you first matriculate until you graduate. You must register for classes each semester you are in the degree program. If extenuating circumstances occur that prevent you from registering, you must request a Leave of Absence (http://www.temple.edu/grad/forms/documents/Leave_of_Absence_09.pdf). The Request must be approved by your advisor and the department chair. The form is submitted to the Director for Graduate Academic and Student Affairs. You are limited to a maximum of four Leave of Absences, so use them wisely.
If you are a doctoral student and have completed all your coursework, you will maintain matriculation by registering for one of the following classes depending on your status in the program:
- Ed. 9994 Preliminary Exam Prep
- Ed. 9998 Dissertation Proposal
- Ed. 9999 Dissertation Writing
Financial Responsibility:
If you register for a course, you are financially responsible for that course. Should you decide to drop it, you may do so without penalty within the first two weeks of the Fall or Spring semester (summer follows a bit different timetable). If you do not drop it within the first two weeks, then you may still withdraw from the class up until the ninth week of the term, but you will receive a grade of “W” and you are responsible for the tuition. Should you just forget to drop or withdraw from the class, and never attend, you will receive a grade of “F” and still be required to pay tuition for it. It is wise is to make certain that your schedule is what you meant it to be before the two week deadline, and to drop those classes you are not going to take.
Incomplete Grades:
Should it be necessary to take an Incomplete, a student must complete a written contract with your professor that outlines what is required to complete the grade. You have one year to complete the work, from the time the Incomplete grade was assigned. At the time of the contract, the professor will assign a default grade that will be awarded should you not complete the work as stipulated in the contract. You may not graduate with an Incomplete grade on your transcript.
Academic Standing:
To remain in Academic Good Standing, a student, whether matriculated or non-matriculated, must maintain a 3.0 GPA for each semester and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for all work completed at Temple. A student who receives more than two grades below a “B-“ or more than one grade of “F” will be dismissed for failure to maintain satisfactory grades. The College has no latitude on this policy. We must dismiss you if your grades fall below the standard. Students may appeal the action by submitting a “Petition to the Graduate School or Graduate Board Student Appeals Committee” to the Director of Graduate Programs. It is a good idea to check your Self Service Banner records periodically to make sure that any grade changes or other pertinent information is correctly noted. There’s been more than once where an “F” grade was changed by the professor but for whatever reason it was not formally changed and then students are dismissed. It is a hassle for everyone to reverse this, so help us out by checking your information.
Registration Procedures:
Registration is done online via Self Service Banner which is accessible through TU Portal (https://tuportal3.temple.edu/cp/home/displaylogin). However, you are not able to use it to register until you have your first semester with a GPA of at least a 2.0 recorded. This in effect means that you will need to register in person for the first year of study since grades for your first semester will not be posted until after registration for your second semester.
To register in person, please see your advisor, fill out the Registration/Schedule Revision form and bring it to the Graduate Programs staff. You remain eligible to use Self Service Banner provided you maintain a 2.0 overall GPA (though of course the College’s graduate programs require a 3.0 overall to remain in academic good standing so don’t confuse them).
Tuition Payments:
All student billing statements will be available on-line at TUpay using E-Check or credit card. Payments may be made via credit card or by check or money order payable to Temple University and submitted to the University Bursar’s Office. Please note that only Mastercard, American Express and Discover credit cards are accepted and that there is a 2.75% fee charged in addition to your tuition and fees. There is also an installment plan available. Check the Bursar’s website for detailed information and answers to your questions on paying your bill.
You may receive a tuition refund for courses officially dropped within the two week deadline for fall and spring, or the first 3 days of summer session. After these periods, there will be no refunds or reduction of charges for courses dropped or withdrawals transacted.
Time Limits for Completion of Degree
While we enjoy having you as a Temple student, we truly do want you to successfully complete the program and move onward and upward in your career. The University has set specific time frames for completing a degree which defines how much time you can expect (and indeed can be taken) to complete your degree. Time starts from the semester of matriculation and concludes with the semester in which the degree is earned. And remember, leaves of absence do not stop the clock. Time limit for the doctoral degree is seven years. Masters degrees vary from three to six years depending on program. See your advisor or the Graduate Bulletin (http://www.temple.edu/gradbulletin/index.htm) for confirmation of your time to degree. Students may request an extension of time. A one year extension is typically granted, but not guaranteed. Any time requested beyond that are at the discretion of your program and the College and are not to be assumed. Students may be required to retake some coursework or exams if the faculty deems it necessary. ANY extension for a doctoral student must go through the Graduate Programs Office and the Graduate School with a proposed completion timeline.
Academic Appeals and Ombudsperson
The College follows the appeals procedures according to its by-laws and in accordance with the policies required by the Graduate School. Please see website for detailed information (http://www.temple.edu/grad/policies/gradpolicies.htm). The College also has an ombudsperson should you need advice or help in any academic disputes that might arise during your course of study in the College. You can reach that office at http://www.temple.edu/education/contact/ombud.html
Who To Contact
The College is organized into departments, which are further organized into programs; thus, you have been admitted to a specific program within a specific department. We have listed below the Department Chairs and the Office Managers. The Office Managers are a valuable first point of contact for you. Your advisor is the other very important person in your academic life. The Department will have the name of your advisor should you misplace it. Also, please contact the Graduate Programs Office for any additional assistance.
Graduate Program Office
Dr. Joseph Ducette
Director for Graduate Academic and Student Affairs
Ritter Annex 157
(215) 204-8011
Doreen Conway
Assistant Director for Graduate Academic and Student Affairs
Ritter Annex 159
doreen.conway@temple.edu
(215) 204-8011
Linda Pryor
Coordinator for Graduate Academic and Student Affairs
linda.pryor@temple.edu
(215) 204-5634
Academic Departments
Teaching & Learning
Dr. Michael W. Smith, Department Chair
Ritter Hall 351
mwsmith@temple.edu
(215) 204-6137
Psychological, Organizational, & Leadership Studies in Education
Dr. James Byrnes, Department Chair
Ritter Annex 217
jpbyrnes@temple.edu
(215) 204-7962
