Founded 1998
Stephen C. Zelnick, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies
Jodi Levine Laufgraben, Assistant Vice Provost for University Studies
Gary Milsark, Faculty Director
Academic Resource Center
113 Curtis Hall
1301 Montgomery Avenue
www.temple.edu/university_studies
University Studies is the academic home for students who have not yet decided on a major and students in pre-allied health programs. In addition, Learning Communities and Freshman Seminars, two academic programs available to any Temple students, are coordinated by University Studies.
Goals and Objectives
University Studies, formed in 1998, serves any Temple student who has not chosen a collegiate home or declared a major or who needs assistance while changing from one college to another.University Studies is not a degree-granting college. Rather it is an academic unit that exists to help students explore academic options and to gain admission to a degree-granting school or college at Temple. Students can remain in University Studies until completion of 60 credits, or approximately their first two years at the University.
Academic Advising Services and Policies
Academic advisers are important sources of information on University policies and procedures, the Core Curriculum requirements, and degree programs. While students must assume primary responsibility for knowing the requirements for their degree and for acquiring information about their academic status, academic advisers are a valuable resource. Advisers introduce students to the various sources of information available on academic programs, enabling students to be well-informed partners in their own education.Students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with academic advisers to discuss academic plans, course selection, and registration. Students not eligible for telephone registration are required to see an adviser for course selection and registration.
Academic Resource Center
Curtis Hall 113
(215) 204-2500, 2501
e-mail: arc@blue.temple.edu
http://www.temple.edu/university_studies
Students enrolled in University Studies use the advising services of the Academic Resource Center, an academic support program established in 1997 to meet the needs of deciding students. Any student at Temple, whether enrolled in University Studies or not, is welcome and encouraged to participate in the first-year programs or to use the services of the Academic Resource Center.
At the Academic Resource Center, a staff of professional and peer advisers works closely with students from the time they arrive at Temple through their successful transitions into schools/colleges and declared majors. Advisers meet with students on walk-in and appointment bases in both individual and group advising sessions.
The Center offers a variety of programs to help students select an appropriate major. Students can use a variety of print and on-line resources in our Academic Information Library to research academic majors and careers, participate in our workshop series on academic options, or attend the Academic Resource Center's annual Majors Fair. Students are welcome to stop by the Center or visit the recently enhanced website for more information.
Health Professions Advising
William Nathan, Ph.D.
Director of Health Professions Programs and Professor of Mathematics
Curtis Hall 109
(215) 204-8669
http://www.temple.edu/healthadvising
The Academic Resource Center offers specialized advising services for students interested in attending medical school, pursuing studies in allied health programs, or considering majors in preparation for jobs or professional study in health fields. Students can work with an adviser to develop an academic plan and to prepare for graduate study in health areas, including medical school. Services and resources include:
* A website containing information on undergraduate preparation for various health fields, including a list of the general curricular requirements for admission to medical, dentistry, podiatry, optometry, veterinary, and most allied health schools. (Note: Specific requirements vary depending upon professional area selected.) The site also contains general advising information, including timelines for preparing for professional and graduate study and links to related websites.
* Workshops and discussion series on current topics in health care.
* Connections to volunteer programs and internships in the Philadelphia region.
Visiting Departmental Advisers
Each semester, several programs across the University assign advisers to the Academic Resource Center. These advisers are available at specific times to meet with students interested in learning more about their academic programs and degree requirements. Programs that have provided visiting advisers in previous semesters include Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Health Information Management, Pharmacy, Tyler School of Art, and Health Studies.
University Studies Policies and Regulations
University policies and regulations generally apply to all undergraduates and provide a framework within which other academic programs or schools and colleges may specify additional conditions. The following are the policies and regulations specific to University Studies.Academic Distinctions
During the academic year, University Studies students who achieve a semester grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or above with 12 or more graded credits are named to the University Studies Distinguished Scholars List. Students receive congratulatory letters and are invited to a reception hosted by the Academic Resource Center.
Courses Taken at Another Institution
Once enrolled at Temple, University Studies students must file a petition for prior approval to take courses at another institution. Students must be in good academic standing and can only petition to attend an institution more than 50 miles from any Temple campus. Petition forms are available at the Academic Resource Center.
Declaring a Major
Beginning fall 2002 and after, undergraduates matriculated in the Division of University Studies as undeclared majors and who entered University Studies as either freshmen, transfer students, or intra-university transfers from another Temple school or college prior to the completion of 45 credits, can remain in University Studies up to the completion of 60 credits. Students entering University Studies having completed between 45-59 credits can remain in University Studies up to two academic year semesters if enrolled full-time or until completion of 60 credits if attending part-time.
Students enrolled in University Studies in pre-nursing or pre-health information management tracks can remain in the Division up to the completion of 60 credits or until acceptance into an upper division College of Allied Health Professions program, whichever comes first. Upon completion of 60 credits, pre-allied health students can remain in University Studies only if a University Studies or College of Allied Health Professions adviser certifies the student is on track for admission following completion of remaining pre-requisites.
University Studies students can declare majors throughout the year (except in January and August) in accordance with the declaration of major standards set forth by the individual schools and colleges and the intra-university transfer (IUT) guidelines established by the University. The advising staff of the Academic Resource Center assists students when they are ready to pursue academic programs in a school or college. Academic Resource Center programs begin with new student orientation, at which time University Studies students can request change in status from undecided to an academic program within a college.
Students currently enrolled in other schools or colleges who are reconsidering their choice of major or who wish to explore other academic options may process an intra-university transfer application to enter University Studies as an undeclared major.
Probation and Dismissal
Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 are subject to probation. Students who fail to remove themselves from probation after one semester are subject to dismissal. Students not making progress toward successful entry into a degree program are also subject to probation and/or dismissal. Students on probation are required to see an academic adviser for all subsequent registration activity and are encouraged to meet with an adviser on a regular basis to discuss academic progress and success strategies. Students who are dismissed are invited to meet with an adviser to discuss their academic situation and/or file an appeal for reinstatement.
Readmission
University Studies students are required to submit an application for readmission after more than one academic-year semester (fall or spring) of non-attendance. Readmission forms can be obtained in the Academic Resource Center. Students who attended another institution during time away from Temple are required to submit an official transcript(s) for review before a readmission decision can be made. Students who left in poor academic standing (probation or dismissal) must submit a readmission form and schedule an interview with an adviser. Students who received a medical withdrawal must provide medical documentation clearing them to return to school and schedule an interview with an adviser before a readmission decision can be made.