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2009 - 2010 Site Archive

 

 

Graduate School Admissions

International Applications

 

International graduate students are a vital part of the Temple University intellectual and cultural community.  More than 1,700 students from over 100 countries have chosen to receive their education at Temple.  The University warmly welcomes students from all parts of the world.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS:

Uncertain as to what academic records must be submitted to make application for graduate study?  Visit the World Education Services website at http://wes.org/required and locate your home country.  The requirements of Temple University are the same as those specified by WES.  Applications cannot be processed without the proper documentation.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE for APPLICANTS EDUCATED in CHINA

All native language and English translations of transcripts, degree certificates, and diploma certificates must be sent signed and sealed directly from the parent institution(s) to the Temple University department or program to which you are applying.  Photocopies of transcripts, degree certificates, and diploma certificates are not considered official and are not acceptable substitutes for the official documentation.  Documents certified by the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center or the China Higher-Education Student Information and Career Center are not required but are acceptable.

The admissions committee for the program to which you are making application will review your materials to determine your admissions status.

                                                                                                                                                                        1.26.10

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE for APPLICANTS EDUCATED in INDIA

All documents must be attested to/verified by the Controller of Examinations or Registrar at the Parent University and then sent sealed directly to the Temple University department or program to which you are applying by the examining authority in an envelope bearing the institution's seal or stamp and/or an appropriate signature across the sealed flap.

-OR-

You may make photocopies and have the copies attested to by the Controller of Examinations or Registrar at the Parent University. The Controller or Registrar should then place the verified mark sheets in an envelope, seal the envelope, and sign it across the flap before returning it to you to forward to the Temple University department or program to which you are applying. If the seal is broken when the envelope reaches Temple University, the mark sheets will not be accepted. Attestations from persons outside the offices of the Controller of Examinations or Registrar, such as individual professors or external notary publics, will not be accepted.

Without exception, mark sheets, degree certificates, or provisional certificates from the affiliate college or faculty will not be accepted.

 

Accessing Application Materials

International applicants for graduate study should apply online or download an application.  If preferred, contact the department of interest via Internet, telephone, or fax.  Please choose ONE of the following methods:

Online Application

This is a web-based application that allows you to submit the application online.  It is designed in modules so you may complete sections of the application at your convenience.  In order to activate your application, you will need to submit the application fee and requested credentials.

Download the Application in PDF

The full application is available online in PDF format.  (You will need Adobe® Acrobat® to access this information.)  The forms can be printed or saved to your desktop.  To access these files, simply click on the name of the required information.  Application instructions are provided for information purposes only.  These PDF files are writer-ready:

 

Application Deadlines

Each graduate program has its own unique deadline(s) for the submission of completed applications.  The application and all supporting credentials must be received by the appropriate Temple University office by the deadline date for the desired semester of admission.  To determine the correct date, please see the relevant program page in the Graduate Bulletin.  For the correct mailing address, please see the list of “Addresses for Submission of Graduate Applications."

It is important to note that the Graduate School strongly encourages applicants educated at institutions outside of the United States to apply 90 days prior to the stated program deadline.  Applying early ensures sufficient time for non-U.S. academic credentials to be reviewed for U.S. equivalency prior to admission consideration.  Furthermore, international applicants interested in being nominated for a fellowship or assistantship should submit their application materials by December 15.

 

Application Fee*

The application fee is non-refundable and must accompany the application.  The cost is $60 when submitting the application online or $75 when using the paper application. Payment by check or postal money order must be in U.S. dollars, drawn on a U.S. bank or on a U.S. branch of a foreign bank, and made payable to Temple University. Please do not send cash.  Also, do not remit fees in excess of the required amount.  Additional monies cannot be credited toward any charges if you subsequently register as a student.

* All tuition and fees are subject to change by action of The Board of Trustees.

Minimum Standards for International Graduate Study

Temple University assesses foreign degrees based on the characteristics of the national educational system, the type of institution attended, and the level of studies completed.  The minimum level of study required for graduate admissions consideration is outlined below:

  • British-patterned education:  Bachelor’s degree with honors.
  • French-patterned education:  Maîtrise from university or completion of diplôme d’ingénieur from grandes écoles.
  • African countries (other than British- or French-patterned):  University degree requiring 4 years of study.
  • Germany:  University diplom preferred, or at least 1 year of full-time higher study beyond vordiplom.
  • Other European countries:  University degree requiring 4 years of study.
  • Middle East:  University degree requiring 4 years of study.
  • Canada:  From Quebec, 3-year bachelor’s degree; from other provinces, 4-year bachelor’s degree.
  • Central and South America:  University degree requiring 4 years of study.
  • India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal:  Bachelor’s degree in engineering or medicine; master’s degree in all other fields.  Note:  A 3-year bachelor’s degree is not considered sufficient for graduate study at Temple.  At least 1 year of a master’s degree, in a related discipline, following the 3-year bachelor’s degree from India is required.
  • Philippines:  A 4- or 5-year bachelor’s degree.
  • Other Asian countries:  University degree requiring 4 years of study.
  • Newly Independent States:  University diploma requiring 4.5 to 6 years of study.
  • All Others:  Bachelor’s degree or bachelor’s degree comparability, as determined by Temple University, awarded by a post-secondary institution recognized by the country’s own Ministry of Education.

 

Official Educational Documents

International applicants who have completed a post-secondary program must:

  1. Submit an official copy of the degree, diploma, or certificate awarded whereby the academic institution validates completion and conferral.
  2. Request that official post-secondary academic records be forwarded to the Temple University department or program to which application is being made.

If there is any question as to what academic records should be submitted with an international application, visit the World Education Services website at http://wes.org/requiredApplicants from the educational systems of China and India may review the information specific to them in the appropriate box at the top of this page.

Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions must be submitted for the applicant by the university, even if only one course was taken.  Applications that do not include all post-secondary academic records are incomplete and will not be reviewed.  Unsealed post-secondary school academic records in the student’s possession are not official and, therefore, are not acceptable for admissions purposes.  Temple University reserves the right to verify the authenticity of academic records, test scores, and letters of reference.

Applicants who attended institutions that do not issue complete academic records in English must submit official copies of native language records and literal translations prepared by an appropriate university or government official.

Academic documents may be submitted to a credential evaluation organization approved by Temple University, as identified at www.naces.org/members.htm.  The applicant should request that the evaluation be sent directly to the department/program of application at Temple University.  It is recommended that the applicant also send to the department/program an unofficial copy of the academic records on which the outside evaluation is based.

The Graduate School does not require additional in-house evaluation of credentials that have been assessed by the agencies listed on the NACES® website.  In fact, the Graduate School strongly recommends that applicants have their credentials evaluated by a professional credentialing service listed on the NACES® website to ensure the timely processing of their applications, with the ultimate goal of their receiving a timely decision.

Standardized Examinations**

Standardized test scores must be reported to Temple University within five years of the applicant's test administration date.  Scores for the GRE® should be forwarded electronically by Educational Testing Service. Scores for the GMAT® should be sent electronically by GMAC®.  An official paper record for the MAT™ must be provided by Harcourt Assessment or the Temple University Measurement and Research Center.  No photocopies of score reports for any standardized test will be accepted from applicants.

For reporting purposes, the institution code for the GRE® and the GMAT® is 2906.  For the MAT™, the reporting code is 2548 for the College of Health Professions; all other MAT™ scores should be reported to 1666 for the Graduate School.

** Free practice tests are available at www.testpreppractice.net/ and/or www.studyguidezone.com for those preparing for the GRE, GMAT, or MAT.

Score Reporting for Tests of Academic English

Prospective students for graduate study are required to report official scores from a test of academic English if they have not earned a degree—be it an undergraduate (bachelor's) or graduate (master's or doctorate)—from a U.S. institution. These scores are required of:

  1. individuals not born on American soil who were educated at an institution outside the United States, and
  2. U.S. citizens who earned a degree abroad from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English.

The requirement of a test of academic English is satisfied when the applicant produces official scores from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or, in early 2007, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.  This is an additional requirement  for applicants educated at an institution of higher learning outside the United States.  The TOEFL® and IELTS™ cannot be utilized as a substitute for the GRE®, GMAT®, or MAT™ standardized examinations.  Temple University Graduate School requires minimum scores of:

TEST***
TYPE
MINIMUM SCORE
TOEFL® Paper-based (PBT)
550
  Computer-based (CBT)
213
  Internet-based (iBT)
79
IELTS™ Academic
6.5
  General Training
Not accepted

*** If preparing for the TOEFL or IELTS, note that free practice tests are available at www.testpreppractice.net/.

Scores for the TOEFL® and IELTS™ must be submitted electronically to Temple University within two years of the applicant's test administration date.  Scores for the TOEFL® should be forwarded electronically by Educational Testing Service.  Scores for the IELTS™ should be forwarded electronically by IELTS™. No photocopies of score reports for a test of academic English will be accepted from applicants.

For reporting purposes, the institution code for the TOEFL® is 2906.  The institution code for the IELTS™ will be published upon availability.

 

Mailing the Graduate Application


Applicants should send the completed graduate application materials directly to the School or College office to which they are applying.  However, if applying to a program in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Science and Technology, send the application directly to the department.  Application materials should be mailed to the appropriate address provided on the “Addresses for Submission of Graduate Applications” page.

 

Certification of Eligibility:  I-20/DS-2019 Application Form

Additional admission documentation is required of international students.  If your application

packet does not include the I-20/DS-2019 application form, contact the Temple University

Office of International Services via telephone at 215-204-7708, download the form by visiting http://www.temple.edu/ois/home/current/general/application_forms.htm, or write to:

Temple University Office of International Services

1700 North Broad Street, Room 203B  (062-57)

Philadelphia, PA  19122-3429

USA

The completed I-20/DS-2019 application form should be sent directly to Temple University’s Office of International Services at the address provided above.  Please note that the US $50 non-refundable international student orientation fee will be charged to your account upon registration at Temple University.