Academic Opportunities

Experiential Learning

Internships

215-204-7981
www.temple.edu/careerdev

Internship programs at various schools and colleges provide students with opportunities to gain experience in their chosen profession before they graduate from college. Internships not only give students a chance to practice the skills acquired in the classroom but also help them strengthen their résumé and establish contacts in their professions. For further information on available opportunities, students should contact their respective schools and/or Career Development Services.

The Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies also provides information about internship opportunities.  For more information, go to www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/internships.htm.

Externships

The Extern program is an optional work experience/career education program designed to aid students in making better-informed career decisions based on practical experience and self-assessment. It is sponsored by Career Development Services. Students accepted into the program receive individualized career counseling, on-the-job experience, and academic assignments. Students are placed as volunteers with organizations in areas that complement their career objectives and/or fields of study. Participating students receive 2 or 3 academic credits.

For more information, contact Career Development Services at 215-204-7981 or visit www.temple.edu/careerdev.

Community-Based Learning

Michele O’Connor, Assistant Vice Provost for First Year and Transfer Programs

500 Conwell Hall
215-204-5662
michele.oconnor@temple.edu

Community-Based Learning (CBL) is a pedagogy that links necessary work conducted in community contexts to academic study in a rigorous, intentional, and meaningful fashion.  It heightens the relevance of academic subjects by directly linking classroom learning to experiences in communities which may be defined by geography, affinity, or organization.  Examples include: service learning; community-based research; community-based planning and design; community-based performance, and other artistic initiatives. 

This pedagogy is designed to foster civic responsibility and dialogue, encourage personal growth and critical reflection, create relationships across difference, and enhance academic learning for college students.  CBL must always benefit community members and organizations in a spirit of mutual partnership.  (Adapted from AAHE materials 1993)

Community Service

Monica Hankins-Padilla, Assistant Director for Community Relations

Office of Community Service

Community Education Center

1509 Cecil B. Moore Avenue, Second Floor

215-204-7505

monica.hankins@temple.edu
www.temple.edu/community_service/

Temple Volunteers, the University's Office of Community Service, is dedicated to providing students with the resources and guidance necessary to immerse themselves in action for positive social change.  As a team of administration, staff, and student leaders, we work to establish strong relationships within and beyond the Temple campus through community service.  Temple Volunteers offers everything from one-day service activities to long-term opportunities and alternative break programs.  For more information, visit www.temple.edu/community_service.  

First Year Programs

Michele O’Connor, Assistant Vice Provost for First Year and Transfer Programs

500 Conwell Hall
215-204-0550
michele.oconnor@temple.edu

Jermaine Williams, First-Year Programs Coordinator

500 Conwell Hall

215-204-7596

jermaine.williams@temple.edu

Patti Vorndran, Transfer Programs Coordinator

500 Conwell Hall

215-204-0550

vorndran@temple.edu

First-Year Student Seminars

First-Year Student Seminars are academic courses designed to support student learning and development in the critical first semester of college.   The Freshman Seminar can be taken as part of a Learning Community or as a stand-alone course.  College-specific seminars are offered by the College of Science and Technology and the School of Communications and Theater.

The Freshman Seminar, Learning for the New Century, a 1-credit course, assists students in making a successful transition to the University by helping students frame academic and life goals, develop successful study habits, and learn to function as an active member of the community.

Learning for the New Century is open to any interested freshmen. The seminar is offered on both the Main and Ambler campuses. 

First-Year Reading Project

As part of the First-Year Reading Project, all entering freshmen are asked to read a common book. The goals of the project are to provide a common intellectual experience for entering students; bring students, faculty and members of the Temple community together for discussion and debate; and promote cross-disciplinary thinking and dialogue in learning communities, freshman seminars, and other first-year courses where the text might be discussed. Each year, a committee consisting of Temple faculty, undergraduates, and staff select the summer reading book. Entering freshmen learn about the project during their Orientation visit and receive resource materials developed for the project.

Learning Communities

A Learning Community consists of two or more linked courses designed to provide students with a more integrated and meaningful learning experience.  Learning Communities foster an intellectual environment where learning can flourish and help smooth the transition to college by providing an opportunity for students to form bonds with fellow first-semester students who are in these same classes.

Many learning communities include a section of the first-year student seminar Learning for the New Century. Several Learning Communities meet Core, or foundational, academic requirements and are available in many undergraduate schools and colleges.

Learning Communities are designed primarily for the first semester college freshmen but are open to all first- or second-year students, including transfers. Some colleges or majors require freshmen to register for a community, while others strongly recommend it.  During New Student Orientation, an academic advisor will help students select the learning communities which best meet their academic interests and needs.

In the fall 2003 edition of U.S. News and World Report's America's Best Colleges, Temple's Learning Communities Program was ranked fifth in the country as an exemplary academic program that leads to student success.

Transfer Students

The newsletter, TRANSITIONS, is sent to new transfer students through Temple e-mail at the start of each semester. The newsletter provides an overview of policies, procedures, programs and academic opportunities that are available to all Temple students. 

Online Learning

Dr. Dominique Monolescu Kliger, Director
665 Ritter Annex
215-204-3943
http://oll.temple.edu

The OnLine Learning (OLL) Program is a designed to give students a remote high quality education, providing them more flexibility in when and how they attend classes. Courses are offered at the undergraduate and graduate levels and also for continuing education students.

Matriculated students can register online via the OWLnet website (http://owlnet.temple.edu). Non-matriculated students must register through the Office of Continuing Education at 1810 Liacouras Walk, First Floor, Room 101 (215-204-2500). Non-matriculated students can obtain their registration forms online (www.temple.edu/conted) and submit them by fax to 215-204-2516. For more information, check the OnLine Learning Program website.

Each week a student will probably receive a week's worth of assignments and discussion materials from a listserv or via the Blackboard course management tool. Therefore, becoming familiar with e-mail, Internet browsing, and chat features before enrolling in an online course is very helpful.

The OnLine Learning Program provides access to over one hundred courses via the Internet or via Videoconferencing formats. In addition to the Fox School of Business online MBA program, the Physical Therapy Doctor's program and the Organizational Studies undergraduate program are now also available online.

For successful completion of an online course, students are recommended to have daily access to a computer with a fast Internet connection (DSL or Cable type of connections are recommended). Visit the OLL Program website for more information.

Pre-Professional And Pre-Graduate Programs

Pre-Law Program

Temple offers undergraduates a wide range of courses, programs of study, and majors that will contribute to their preparation for law school and for a career in the legal or a related profession. Beginning with special sections of the First-Year Seminar designed specifically for the pre-law student, Temple undergraduates will find numerous opportunities to sharpen their critical thinking, reading and writing skills, both in and out of the classroom. Interested students can participate in the Mock Trial Team, get involved in the pre-law organizations (Phi Alpha Delta and the Pre-Law Society), or undertake an internship in the Philadelphia area. Speakers on legal issues, on careers in law, and on preparing for the LSAT provide additional opportunities for the Temple student to learn more about the study of law and prepare for the intellectual challenges ahead.

Entering first-year students can apply for the TempleLaw Scholars Program, and early assurance program offered by Temple University's Beasley School of Law.  See the Special Admissions Programs section of the Bulletin for details.

Pre-Professional Health Studies

Neida Perez, Ed.M., Director

Pre-Professional Health Studies Advising Center

1810 Liacouras Walk, Suite 100

215-204-2513

healthadvising@temple.edu

www.temple.edu/healthadvising

The Pre-Professional Health Studies Advising Center at Temple University provides advising, counseling, and application support for students interested in preparing for a career in a health-care profession.  The Center assists students in their academic and experiential preparation for programs in dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, podiatry, and veterinary medicine. Beginning with special sections of the First-Year Seminar designed specifically for students interested in preparing for a career as a health-care professional, Temple undergraduate students will find numerous opportunities both in and out of the classroom to develop the knowledge, skills, and experiences to prepare them for their future endeavors. Pre-professional health studies students will find a variety of volunteer opportunities to get involved in and around the Temple University community. Temple offers research opportunities in a wide range of academic disciplines of interest to pre-professional health studies students, and funding is available to support undergraduate research and travel to conferences to present.

Entering first-year students can apply for the TempleMed Scholars Program, an early assurance program offered by Temple University's School of Medicine.  See the Special Admissions Programs section of the Bulletin for details.

McNair Program

Nathan Knispel
215-204-8023

The Russell Conwell Center’s Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program provides extensive pre-doctoral preparation for eligible undergraduate students. Students complete a faculty-mentored research project, assist in teaching an Intellectual Heritage course, receive exhaustive graduate school preparation, and present their research at multiple conferences. Students receive a stipend during their participation.  For more information, contact Nathan Knispel at 215-204-8023, visit the McNair office at 617 Ritter Annex, or see the Academic Support section of the Bulletin.

Military Science

Paul W. Riley, Lieutenant Colonel

Ritter Hall, Lower Level
215-204-7480/4453

fax: 215-204-7481

www.temple.edu/rotc

Through a curriculum offered by the Temple Department of Military Science, qualified full-time students can earn a commission as an Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard Officer, while concurrently satisfying academic requirements for a baccalaureate or graduate degree. Interested students not convinced that a career in the military is right for them can also learn more about how The Army of the United States selects and trains its future leaders and conducts operations on a day-to-day basis.

Military Science courses are open to all Temple students. There is no requirement for students taking Military Science courses to enroll in the commissioning program. Students taking Military Science courses are under no military service obligation of any kind if not enrolled in the commissioning program.

Students enrolled in the commissioning program incur either an active duty or reserve forces duty commitment commencing upon successful completion of the ROTC Advanced Course program and graduation from college. Temple's Department of Military Science offers both two-year and four-year curricula leading to a commission in the United States Army.

Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AROTC) Four-Year Commissioning Program
The Four-Year Program consists of two phases: the Basic Course and the Advanced Course.

In the Basic Course, the student takes one Military Science course each semester during the freshman and sophomore years. This instruction orients the student to activities frequently encountered during military service. Though students may voluntarily participate in weekend exercises and ROTC-sponsored events, they are under no obligation to do so. Additionally, students enrolled in the Basic Course are under no obligation for present or future military duty.

During the Advanced Course (normally the junior and senior years), the student receives instruction designed to enhance leadership abilities; reinforce managerial, supervisory, and accountability skills; and further develop the individual's foundation of military knowledge. The highlight of this instruction is the student's attendance at the five-week ROTC National Advance Leadership Course, usually during the summer between the junior and senior years. The camp is a series of rigorous leadership challenges in which the Temple student competes against students from 272 other colleges and universities. Advanced Course students (enrolled in the commissioning program) receive a tax-free stipend (juniors - $450.00 per month and seniors - $500 per month) each year of the Advanced Course. When students complete the Advanced Course, they are obligated to accept a commission as a Second Lieutenant and upon graduation from college, incur either an active duty or reserve forces duty service commitment in the United States Army.

Two-Year Commissioning Program
The Two-Year Program consists of the Advanced Course and is open to any qualified full-time graduate or undergraduate student who has at least two years of academic study remaining at Temple University and has completed the Basic Course or its equivalent. Basic Course equivalency can be granted for prior active or reserve military service. Additionally, Temple students can receive this equivalency by attending a five-week ROTC Leadership Training Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, during the summer. Following successful completion of this challenging program, the student is eligible to enter the ROTC Advanced Course. Students attending the Leadership Training Camp incur a military obligation, and they are required to enroll in the ROTC Advanced Course. Students of exceptional academic accomplishment may qualify for Basic Course Placement Credit without being required to attend Leader Training Camp. If you are a Sophomore or Junior with between 54-65 credit hours complete, please contact us for additional information at 215-204-7480/4453/2482.

Scholarships
The Military Science Department administers the Army Scholarship Program, which includes numerous options. The scholarships are awarded based on local and national competitions and are for four, three, and two years. The scholarships pay tuition or room and board, an allowance for books and lab fees, and a monthly stipend that varies between $350 to $500 a month. The scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, and a student need not be enrolled in Army ROTC to apply. Inquiries should be directed to Mrs. Jackie Hankins-Kent, Administrative Officer, Department of Military Science/ROTC, Ritter Hall - Lower Level, Room 4A, 215-204-7480/9622.

Course Offerings

(F = offered Fall semester; S = offered Spring semester)

Military Science Course Descriptions

For the full description of each course, please click on the following link: www.temple.edu/bulletin/ugradbulletin/ucd/ucd_military.html.

Enrollment is open to all students, but full participation in some of the military training is limited to students enrolled in the commissioning program. Contact the Military Science Department for details.

Military Science Faculty

Paul W. Riley, Lieutenant Colonel, Professor of Military Science and Department Chair, B.B.A. - University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI; M.A. - Providence College, Providence, RI (e-mail: pwriley@temple.edu)

Marco Young, Lieutenant Colonel, Military Intelligence, Assistant Professor of Military Science/Battalion Executive Officer, B.S. - Drexel University (e-mail: marco.young@temple.edu)

William J. Griffin, Major, Assistant Professor of Military Science, B.S. - St. Leo University, Saint Leo, FL (e-mail: wgriffin@temple.edu)

R. Brock Schultheis, Major, Assistant Professor of Military Science, B.S. - Mansfield University, Mansfield, PA (e-mail: brocks@temple.edu)

James J. Lampe, Master Sergeant, Commandant of Cadets and Senior Military Instructor

Michael W. Woody, Sergeant First Class, Operations NCO

Aerospace Studies - Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (AFROTC)

Department of Aerospace Studies
Saint Joseph's University
5600 City Line Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
610-660-3190

rotc@sju.edu

www.det750.com

AFROTC objectives are to:

• recruit, select, and retain officer candidates until they are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force;
• provide college-level education that qualifies cadets for commissioning in the U.S. Air Force; and
• develop each cadet's sense of personal integrity, honor, and individual responsibility; enhance knowledge of how the U.S. Air Force serves the national interest; increase understanding of officer professionalism in the U.S. Air Force; and develop potential as a leader and manager.

Temple University offers a program of study leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force by agreement with Saint Joseph’s University’s Department of Aerospace Studies. All Aerospace Studies courses are held on the Saint Joseph’s University campus. Credits will be transferred to Temple, appear on the official transcript, and count towards the student’s overall GPA. The AFROTC program enables college students to earn a commission as an Air Force officer while concurrently satisfying requirements for his or her baccalaureate degree.

The Department of Aerospace Studies offers one-year, two-year, three-year, and four-year curricula leading to a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. In the four-year curriculum, a student takes the General Military Course (GMC) during the freshman and sophomore years, attends a four-week summer training program, and then takes the Professional Officer Course (POC) in the junior and senior years. A student is under no contractual obligation to the Air Force until entering the POC or accepting an Air Force scholarship. In the three-year curriculum, a student attends a six-week summer training program and then enters the POC in the junior year. In the two-year curriculum, a student attends a six-week summer training program following the spring semester of their junior year.

The subject matter of the freshman and sophomore years is developed from a historical perspective and focuses on the scope, structure, and history of military power, with the emphasis on the development of air power and its relationship to current events. During the junior and senior years the curriculum concentrates on the concepts and practices of leadership and management, and the role of national security forces in contemporary American society.

In addition to the academic portion of the curricula, each student participates in a 2-hour Leadership Laboratory each week. During this period the day-to-day skills and working environment of the Air Force are discussed and explained. The Leadership Lab utilizes a student organization designed for the practice of leadership and management techniques.

Air Force ROTC offers scholarships for one, two, three, and four years on a competitive basis to qualified applicants. All scholarships are applied to tuition and lab fees, and include a textbook allowance, plus a tax-free monthly stipend which varies from $250 to $400, depending on graduation date.

Course Offerings

(F = offered Fall semester; S = offered Spring semester)

For a full description of each course in Aerospace Studies, please click on the following link: www.temple.edu/bulletin/ugradbulletin/ucd/ucd_aerospacestudies.html.

Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps

Director, Naval Science Department
University of Pennsylvania
NROTC Unit
417 Hollenback Building
3000 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6399
215-898-7436
Fax: 215-573-2067
nrotc@pobox.upenn.edu
www.vpul.upenn.edu/nrotc

Temple students are eligible to participate in the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC) through a cross-enrollment agreement with the University of Pennsylvania. All naval science courses are held on the University of Pennsylvania campus. The NROTC Program enables a college student to earn a commission in the Navy or the Marine Corps while concurrently satisfying requirements for his or her baccalaureate degree. Scholarship and non-scholarship programs are available.

Navy-Option scholarship and College Program (non-scholarship) students must enroll in Naval Science (NSCI) 0101 and 0102 during their freshman year, NSCI 0202 and 0301 during their sophomore year, NSCI 0201 and 0401 in their junior year, and NSCI 0302 and 0402 in their senior year. Those seeking commissions in the Marine Corps will enroll in NSCI 0101, 0102, 0202, 0310, 0410, and 0402.  Tailored programs are available for students wishing to join NROTC after the start of their freshman year and before the beginning of their junior year.

Navy scholarship program students must complete one year of calculus (recommended for College Program students, not required for Nurse Corps candidates), one year of calculus-based physics (recommended for College Program students, not required for Nurse Corps candidates), one course in cultural awareness (waivers for Nurse Corps candidates may be available on a case-by-case basis), one course in American military history or national security policy (not required for Nurse Corps candidates), and one year of English. College Program students must complete one year of college-level algebra, one year of physical science courses, one computer science course, and one year of English. Marine-Option students are only required to complete one course in American military history or national security policy. Students must check with their naval science instructors to determine specific courses that fulfill the above requirements.

In addition to the above, all students are required to attend a 2-hour professional laboratory period scheduled on Wednesday afternoons (no academic credit) that emphasizes military drill, physical fitness, professional performance, and leadership topics.

Course Offerings

For a full description of each course in Naval Science, please click on the following link: www.temple.edu/bulletin/ugradbulletin/ucd/ucd_naval.html.

International Programs and Study Abroad

Denise A. Connerty, Director of International Programs
200 Tuttleman Learning Center
215-204-0720
www.temple.edu/studyabroad

International education takes many forms at Temple: learning other languages, studying for a semester or year in one of Temple's programs abroad, building an international concentration into a major, or enrolling in special programs such as the Latin American Studies Semester. Students should consult school/college and course descriptions for further information on international and language studies at Temple's Philadelphia campuses.

Study abroad is one of the most rewarding and beneficial experiences available to Temple students. The opportunity to gain firsthand understanding of other cultures and languages through study abroad is personally enriching, and adding an international dimension to one's education enables students to understand better and put into context global issues and international events. Study abroad can last for a semester, an academic year, or a summer. Temple offers a number of study abroad programs for Temple students and those from other universities. Students receiving financial aid can usually apply most sources of aid to study abroad fees. The International Programs Office can provide students with information and applications for Temple programs abroad.

Study abroad staff also assists students in planning and carrying out study abroad for non-Temple programs. A resource library of information concerning fellowships and grants for overseas study and research, as well as materials describing various study programs and universities abroad, is available to members of the Temple community. Information on work and travel abroad is also available.

Several grants, including Fulbright scholarships for graduate study abroad, are administered by International Programs. In addition, advising is available concerning a variety of other options for financing study abroad.

Students interested in receiving more information about study abroad should contact International Programs, 215-204-0720.

Study Abroad - Academic Year / Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ)

Kirk Patterson, Dean

TUJ is the Tokyo campus of Temple University. Founded in 1982, TUJ is the oldest and largest foreign university in Japan and has developed into a nationally recognized institution offering an extensive range of educational programs. With an enrollment of 2,980 students and a faculty of 180, TUJ offers B.A. degrees with majors in American studies, art, Asian studies, business administration, communications, economics, general studies, international affairs, political science, psychological studies, and tourism and hospitality management. TUJ also offers A.A. degrees, an M.B.A., a Master of Science in Education and Doctor of Education in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and a Masters of Law.

American undergraduate students may study at Temple Japan for a semester, year and/or summer, choosing from a broad range of courses in Liberal Arts, Asian Studies, and Japanese language. Internships are also available. Regular Temple faculty on assignment from Philadelphia teach in the program along with visiting professors from other universities and special faculty hired in Japan. English is the language of instruction.

To enrich the students' exposure to Tokyo and enhance their understanding of Japanese culture, TUJ organizes several optional field trips and excursions each semester. These include half-day excursions to sites in and around Tokyo; day and overnight excursions are also arranged.

TUJ is ideally located in central Tokyo in Minato-ku. Just twenty minutes walking distance from Roppongi, one of Tokyo's major entertainment districts, Minato-ku is home to several embassies, shops, and restaurants. Students have the option of securing their own housing or of taking advantage of housing offered by TUJ. Information about application procedures, costs, financial aid and scholarships is available from International Programs.

Study Abroad - Academic Year / Temple University London

Erin Palmer

School of Communications and Theater

13E Annenberg Hall
215-204-6535

The School of Communications and Theater offers both semester and summer programs in London. These programs are open to all Temple students, no matter what their major, as well as those from other universities. Recent course offerings have included Literature of London in the 19th Century, Politics and the British Press, British Mass Media, Contemporary British Theater, British Documentary Film, and Modern British History. Internships are also available. Some background in media and/or theater is assumed, as courses are at an advanced undergraduate level. Guest speakers and field trips enrich the curriculum.

Accommodation in shared, self-contained flats is usually arranged by the program.

Study Abroad - Academic Year / Temple University Rome

Kim D. Strommen, Dean

Temple has its own campus in Rome which offers courses in architecture, landscape architecture, international business, liberal arts, and visual arts. Each semester, students from Temple and other universities study in Rome in courses designed to take advantage of the city's rich resources.

The Temple University Rome Dean oversees the academic program and arranges for student support services. A distinguished teaching faculty, both European and American, provides a first-rate educational experience. All courses are part of Temple's regular undergraduate and graduate curricula and carry full academic credit. Students who have not studied Italian previously must enroll in an elementary language course so they can take best advantage of their stay in Italy.

An extensive field study program complements the traditional classroom and studio curricula. Classes make regular trips to museums, architectural sites, and other points of interest in Rome. Many courses include field trips to other parts of Italy . The Villa Caproni, located in the heart of Rome on the Tiber River, houses all academic programs. The facilities at the Villa Caproni include a library with 15,000 volumes, classrooms, art and architecture studios, an art gallery, and complete technical facilities. Students live in a residence where they have cooking and other facilities. The residence is a convenient thirty-minute walk to the Villa Caproni and five minutes from one of the major outdoor markets in Rome.

Information on application, costs, and financial aid can be obtained from International Programs. Temple charges regular tuition rates for the Rome program; additional costs include airfare, living expenses, medical insurance, and program expenses.

Exchange Programs

Temple University students may participate in any of Temple's university-wide exchange programs. Currently, exchange programs are in place with the University of Puerto Rico at Rio Piedras; the University of Hamburg and Tübingen University in Germany; the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England; and the University of Birmingham, England. Students selected for these programs must qualify academically and be fluent in Spanish or German, respectively, for study in Puerto Rico and Germany.

Competitions for these programs are announced in the late fall or early spring. For further information, contact Temple's International Programs. Each exchange program can accommodate only a small number of students annually.  Specialized exchange programs are also available through some schools and colleges.  Check with your school or college advising office for a list of these programs.

Summer Programs Abroad

Each year, a number of faculty direct summer programs abroad for academic credit. Some programs change on an annual basis; others have been part of Temple's summer curriculum for many years. The programs generally last four to six weeks and admit qualified students from Temple and other universities. Temple charges its regular tuition rates for summer programs overseas. In recent years, summer programs have been conducted in Brazil, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom.

University Honors Program

Ruth Ost, Director
204 Tuttleman Learning Center
215-204-0710
www.temple.edu/honors/

Mail inquiries to:
Director, University Honors Program
204 Tuttleman Learning Center (008-00)
Temple University
1809 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6073

The University Honors Program is for academically-talented students who want to major in everything - and still graduate in four years. At the core of the program are small classes taught by Temple’s favorite professors, many of who have won the prestigious Temple University Great Teacher Award. Such classes reflect the academic passions of Honors professors and challenge students to think in new ways and respond with creativity.

The Honors staff enjoys helping students with their major choices, graduate and professional school applications, scholarship competitions, and networking. Honors students may choose to live in “1300,” the designated Honors residence hall, during their freshman and sophomore years; the Honors Activities Board (HAB) organizes academic, social and cultural events.

Honors Certificate Program

The Honors Certificate Program is open to students enrolling in any of the twelve schools and colleges of the University. Admission is decided on the basis of academic qualifications (SAT scores, high school GPA, class rank, or merit-based awards), letters of recommendation, and samples of writing, research, and creative work. Typical Honors students will achieve a combined SAT score around 1300 and a high school GPA of 3.80. No special application is required. All admitted students are screened for Honors.

The program is normally entered at the beginning of the first year, but capable, current first-year students already at Temple or transfer students may apply.

The Certificate Program provides Honors opportunities primarily in the university’s general education or core courses.  Honors students must complete a minimum of eight (8) courses (24 semester hours) with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 to earn the certificate.

Honors Scholars Program

The Honors Scholars Program is open to students with at least 60 earned hours and cumulative GPA of 3.60, regardless of whether they have participated in or completed the Honors Certificate Program.  Both current and transfer students must apply.  The online application form is available at the Honors website.

Honors Scholars are required to complete a research or creative project design course and a thesis project in their major or a related field.  Some departments or schools offer distinct Honors Scholars Programs - History, Political Science, and Psychology - but students in any major can enhance their upper-level undergraduate experience through the University Honors Scholars Program.  Honors Scholars have opportunities to explore and develop interests in honors courses in their major, in interdisciplinary honors courses, select non-honors courses with significant experiential or service learning value, graduate courses, or honors independent study. Scholars must complete a minimum of six upper-division Honors courses (18 hours), including the research or project design course and honors thesis, to receive the “Honors Scholar” designation on their transcript. Students work closely with their honors advisor to craft their honors experience.

For requirements of the program, see the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the Bulletin.

Honors Interdisciplinary Major

Students in the University Honors Program may apply for a College of Liberal Arts Honors Interdisciplinary Major. They must complete the degree requirements of the B.A. in the College of Liberal Arts and the requirements for the Interdisciplinary Major as well as the requirements for the University Honors Program. Approval for this program must be obtained from the College of Liberal Arts Academic Advising Center and the University Honors Committee prior to the initiation of the last 60 semester hours of the degree.  In addition, the proposed Major Program should include submission of an acceptable Honors Thesis to the University Honors Oversight Committee.

For more information on the College of Liberal Arts Honors Interdisciplinary Major, go to the College of Liberal Arts Graduation Requirements section of the Bulletin.

University Research

Diamond Peer Teachers Program

The Diamond Peer Teachers Program provides upper-level undergraduates at Temple University the opportunity to experience the challenges and rewards of college-level teaching, to work with faculty mentors to develop their own pedagogical skills, and to provide supplemental instruction in lower-level courses. Peer Teachers earn a stipend and one (1) internship credit.  For more information, go to www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/upperdivision/diamondpeerteachers.htm.

Diamond Research Scholars Program

The Diamond Research Scholars Program offers a seven-month long funded research experience under the direction of a faculty mentor. Participants receive a summer stipend of tuition remission for three (3) hours of research or independent study, and Honors credit for their research or creative arts project. Scholars are expected to participate in the annual undergraduate research conference, TURF-CreWS.  For more information on the Diamond Research Scholars Program, go to www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/upperdivision/diamondresearchscholars.htm.

Temple Undergraduate Research Forum - Creative Works Symposium

The Temple Undergraduate Research Forum - Creative Works Symposium (TURF-CreWS) provides ambitious, intellectually motivated undergraduate students the opportunity to present and defend their original research or creative work among colleagues, faculty, family, and friends. TURF-CreWS is open to all departments and all colleges. Through its emphasis on original research or creative work, from theory-driven critical analysis of significant social issues to the development of unique individual artistic talents, TURF-CreWS seeks to inspire undergraduate students to engage, analyze, critique, and advise the world around them, beginning with their own social, ideological or cultural communities, so that they may contribute ideas that make for a better society and world.  For more information on TURF-CreWS, go to www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/turf/index.htm.

Undergraduate Research Incentive Fund

The Undergraduate Research Incentive Fund (URIF) is available to any full-time undergraduate student enrolled at Temple who seeks financial support for research related activities such as undergraduate research projects or participation in professional conferences. Awards from the URIF are dependent on the availability of matching funds from the students' own Department, School and/or College.  For more information, go to www.temple.edu/vpus/programs_initiatives/URIF.htm.