CONTINUING STUDIES

About Continuing Studies

The Main Campus Office of Continuing Studies is located in the Academic Resource Center and serves a diverse group of students. Whether you are brand new to college or have multiple degrees completed, our office is generally a good place to start your inquiry into Temple. Our students take courses for a variety of reasons including working toward undergraduate, graduate, or professional school admissions, professional development, personal enrichment, even taking courses to transfer to other colleges. Like the general Temple population, our students are diverse both in educational background and culture as well as in age, ranging from gifted high school students to retired professionals and everyone in between. Our Continuing Studies advisors are happy to guide you through the process of enrolling in Temple credit courses on a non-degree basis. Continuing Studies students can earn college credit, but are not admitted into a degree program.

Location & Contact Information

Undergraduate Students

Continuing Studies at Temple prides itself on assisting students with many different educational goals and backgrounds. We are always glad to speak with anyone interested in furthering their education. For some students, taking classes through Continuing Studies may be the perfect decision. For others we may recommend options such as applying directly to the University or beginning at a community college. If you are not sure what educational path is right for you, please contact us. Below are some University policies that may help guide you in your decision:

• A student must have a high school diploma or GED in order to take courses through Continuing Studies.
• Continuing Studies students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 (C average) for all prior college level course work.
• A student may take a maximum of 30 credits through Continuing Studies prior to applying to the University.
• Continuing Studies students are limited to part time course work (11 credits or less during a fall or spring semester).
• If a non-degree student qualifies for financial aid it is generally limited to part time study and to loans only.

Please see below for registration information.

 

Graduate Students

If you already have your bachelor's degree you may be able to take either undergraduate or graduate level course work. If you are interested in a Temple graduate program you will need to contact the department for guidance and registration. Students who are not interested in a Temple graduate degree may register for limited graduate course work through Continuing Studies (we cannot register students for ANY graduate course work in the following programs: Fox School of Business, College of Education, Social Administration, Tyler School of Art, Nursing, and the professional schools - please contact the programs directly). You may research Temple graduate programs in the Graduate Bulletin. Graduate course work has the following limitation:

• A student may take a maximum of 9 credits at the graduate level prior to applying to a Temple graduate program.

Most graduate departments require non-degree students to obtain permission from the department or professor prior to registering for courses. You may bring this permission in writing with you to your Continuing Studies appointment to expedite the registration process.

Please see below for registration information.

 

Visiting Students

If you are currently enrolled in a degree program at another college or university and would like to take courses to transfer back to your home institution, then you are a Visiting Student. If you are able to come for an in person appointment we would love to meet you. However, we understand you may be living far away from Temple while you are at school, therefore you also have the option of mailing or faxing your paperwork. Below is a list of the items you will need in order to register. (Please gather all of the necessary paperwork and send your registration materials all at once; please do not send partial or incomplete paperwork).

• View the Visiting Student online orientation.
• Search the Course Schedule for the classes you would like to take. Be sure you meet the Temple pre-requisites, as we cannot register you if you do not. There must also be an open seat in the course.
• Complete the Visiting Student Form (this form includes written permission from your home school as well as a list of the courses you are requesting).
• Complete the Statistical Record Form.
• Include copies of ALL previous transcripts. Photo copies are accepted; however you will need to provide a separate transcript from each school you've attended.  (Please do not send your transcripts separately from the rest of your paperwork).

 

High School Students

In some cases Temple will allow current high school students to take courses through Continuing Studies. We require you to meet the following guidelines:

• You must have completed your junior year of high school.
• Your high school GPA must be at least a 3.0 (B average).
• You must have support in writing from your high school guidance counselor, principal, and/or subject teacher.
• Your high school record must show As in the subject you plan to take at the college level.
• A copy of your SAT score report is recommended but not required.
  

To register you will need to do the following:

• Find the course you would like to take. Please see our course registration page. (When discussing the possibility of taking college courses with your guidance counselor we suggest presenting the course description to him/her).
• Schedule an appointment with a Continuing Studies advisor. (HS students are required to register in person).
• Bring with you a copy of your high school transcript as well as any SAT and AP scores you may have.
• Bring with you a letter of recommendation (on school letterhead) from your high school guidance counselor, principal, or teacher in the subject you plan to take at the college level. (We may ask for additional recommendations).
• Complete the Statistical Record form.
• If you plan to take English, Math, or a foreign language you will need to take Temple's placement test. Your advisor will discuss this with you at your appointment.

Registration for Non-Degree Undergraduate or Graduate Students

To register for courses as a new non-degree student you will need to complete the following (if you are visiting from another college or a high school student, please see your respective sections above):

• Schedule an appointment with a Continuing Studies advisor.
• Bring with you copies of ALL previous transcripts (photo copies are accepted, however you will need to provide a copy of an original transcript from each school you've attended).
• If you have never attended college you will need to bring a copy of your high school or GED transcript. A transcript is preferred but a diploma copy is acceptable.
• If you are a recent high school graduate and have taken the SATs, please bring your scores.
• Complete the Statistical Record Form.
• If you know the courses for which you would like to register we recommend searching the Course Schedule and bringing the course information with you to your appointment.
• In order to register for a course a student needs to meet all stated pre-requisites for the course. Pre-requisites are listed by course number; to view the course titles please review the Course Descriptions.
• Prior to their enrollment, students may be required to take one or more University placement tests (some students with college credits may be exempt from this requirement). A Continuing Studies advisor can provide a schedule of placement exam dates. More information about the placement exams can be obtained through the Measurement and Research Center.
• Prior to meeting with a Continuing Studies advisor, we recommend you review the appropriate Continuing Studies online orientation, see below.

Please see our registration page for information about searching and choosing courses.

 

Forms

Statistical Record Form - All new Continuing Studies students must complete this form. You should also fill out this form if it's been more than one year since you've taken courses with us.

Visiting Student Form - All Visiting Students must fill out this form to register.

Registration/Schedule Revision Web Form - Any established Continuing Studies student (except for Visiting Students) may use this web form to register. If you are new to our office you will need to come in person for your initial registration. If you require guidance choosing courses please schedule an appointment with an advisor. Any Continuing Studies student (including Visiting Students) may use this form to drop or withdraw.

Continuing Studies New Student Welcome Packet - this packet of information contains everything you need to know once you are registered at Temple including setting up your online account, TUmail (email), ebilling, obtaining your TUID card, as well as billing information.

Continuing Studies Online Orientations

Undergraduate
Graduate
Visiting