Temple University of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education is a comprehensive public research university with more than 34,000 students. It has a distinguished faculty in 17 schools and colleges, including schools of Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Podiatry, and Dentistry, and a renowned Health Sciences Center. Temple is one of Pennsylvania's three public research universities, along with the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University.

Photo: Conwell Hall Courtsey: Temple Photos. Photographer: Joseph V. Laboli

Temple is the 36th largest university in the United States, and it is the third largest provider of professional education (law, dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and podiatric medicine) in the country. Temple is one of 102 public universities nationwide designated as Doctoral/Research-Extensive under the current Carnegie Classification of Higher Education. Temple has five regional campuses, including three in Philadelphia proper (the flagship Main Campus, the Health Sciences Campus, and the Center City Campus) and two suburban campuses (Temple University at Ambler and Tyler School of Art). The University has an education center in Harrisburg, the state capital, and international campuses in Tokyo and Rome. Temple also offers educational programs in the People's Republic of China, Israel, Greece, Great Britain, France, and other countries throughout the world. Along with over 85,00 graduate and graduate professional students, the University has approximately 23,000 undergraduates.

The student body is 58% white, 17% African American, 9% Asian American, and over 3% Hispanic. Approximately 70% of students are Pennsylvania residents, with the balance of students coming from throughout the United States and more than 60 foreign nations.

Through its various schools and colleges, Temple University offers degree programs in 2 associate degree areas, 130 bachelor's degree areas, 110 master's degree areas, 50 doctoral degree areas, and 5 first professional degree areas. Dr. Russell H. Conwell founded the institution in 1884, chartered as Temple College in 1888 and incorporated as Temple University in 1907. In 1965, by the Act of the Legislature of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Temple University became a state-related institution in the Commonwealth System of Higher Education.

Temple received over $76 million in sponsored research awards in 2003/04. Biomedical and clinical research at the Health Sciences campus accounted for over $42.2 million of these awards, with $33.9 million received by Main Campus units. Temple inventions generated $664,000 in gross royalty revenue during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004. In addition, companies provided $1.07 million in research funding related to inventions under license or option.

Programs and services of the schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, the College of Allied Health Professions, and Temple University Hospital are located at the Health Sciences Campus on Broad Street approximately one mile north of the Main Campus. Each of the Health Sciences Campus schools and colleges offers a complete range of student and other academic services. The Temple University Health System provides ready access to an exceptional group of physicians in every specialty and primary care field. These doctors include the nationally recognized faculty of the Temple University School of Medicine and are supported by the advanced resources of its major teaching hospitals. The Temple University Health System delivers health care on a region-wide basis through a constellation of academic and community hospitals, medical school and community based physicians, nursing homes, and home care services.

The Tyler School of Art is a 14-acre campus located in suburban Elkins Park. Established in 1934, it is comprised of modern residence and studio/classroom buildings to accommodate 650 undergraduate and graduate students. A full academic and studio program is offered.

The Ambler Campus is located in suburban Montgomery County, approximately ten miles outside Philadelphia. The 187-acre campus has twenty buildings, including science laboratories, a 100,000 volume library, extensive computing facilities, a computer-assisted design lab, and residence hall. The campus serves more than 5,000 students each year.

Temple University Center City is the adult education destination in Center City. Surrounded by the home offices of major national corporations and just across the street from City Hall, TUCC is also near most of the city's cultural and entertainment resources. TUCC's goal is to serve the credit and non-credit education needs of area corporations and their employees and to provide enrichment opportunities for Philadelphia area residents.

The Temple University Libraries contain close to two and one-half million volumes. There are close to three million microfilms, over 205,000 government publications, over 2,000 computer files, close to 33,000 linear feet of manuscripts and archival material, over 115,000 maps, 10,000,000 graphic items, 2,000 audio items, close to 3,000 film/video items and approximately 17,000 serial subscriptions. In addition, there is a growing array of other electronic access products and document delivery for resources not held locally. A comprehensive range of reference, information, and educational services is offered throughout the library system.