Special Programs General Information

The programs listed in this section are available for all students intending to study at Temple University without having to be enrolled in a degree program.

The academic policies and regulations generally apply to all students and provide a framework within which schools and colleges may specify further conditions or variations appropriate to students in their courses or programs. Statements of academic policies and regulations apply to both degree and non-degree undergraduates unless explicitly noted otherwise. In addition to the description below, please refer to the Responsibilities and Rights and Academic Policies sections of this Bulletin for further information on particular policies that relate to students in these programs.

Temple University provides a broad administrative framework to present and support a wide range of university offerings not falling within the province of typical undergraduate and graduate degree work on Temple campuses. Registration for credit-bearing courses is administered through the Office of Continuing Studies on the various campuses. Registration for non-credit courses is handled through Temple University Fort Washington (TUFW). Students taking non-credit courses at Temple University Ambler, TUFW and Temple University Center City (TUCC) may register and pay online for non-credit courses through the Temple University Fort Washington web site. The online system links non-credit course payments into the TUPay system, already in use for credit course payment. The non-credit course registration and payment system may be accessed by going to www.temple.edu/ambler/tufw/.

Course offerings under special programs respond to the differing needs of adults seeking additional education. Some offerings are of common interest to all, such as writing and general computer skills. Other courses, tailored for those adults who wish to change their work situation, focus on new skill and knowledge development. Coursework is also designed for adults who wish to maintain their current work position in a profession that requires re-certification to maintain appropriate licenses. Course offerings are also geared to those adults seeking personal enrichment as their primary goal.

The form of programming includes credit certificates, non-credit professional certificates, and non-credit personal enrichment courses. The courses are offered at the following Temple sites: Temple University Ambler, Temple University Fort Washington, Temple University Center City, Temple University Harrisburg, and a variety of public and private off-campus sites through the auspices of Extension Services.

Information about the services offered at each campus is presented below.

Main Campus: The Main Campus Office of Continuing Studies is the university's central office for serving non-degree students. Non-degree students are those who have not been formally admitted to a degree program. [See Undergraduate Non-degree Students below.]  The office serves a variety of students, including adults returning to school for undergraduate or graduate courses, professionals updating their skills, qualified students seeking undergraduate admission, students taking courses for personal enrichment, and visiting students. There is no formal application to enroll as a Continuing Studies student; however, first-time enrollers are required to provide documentation of education completed (high school transcript, GED certificate, college transcripts [minimum 2.00 GPA required], or college diploma). Prior to their enrollment, degree-seeking students may be required to take one or more university placement tests.

Services include:

• individual academic advising
• informal evaluation of academic transcripts
• registration and schedule revisions
• referrals to other university services and programs

First-year, non-degree students may register for a maximum of 11 credits per semester. Second-year, non-degree student registrations are based upon academic progress. However, non-degree seeking students are prohibited from registering via Self Service Banner (SSB) and must register through their Continuing Studies office. All non-degree students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to continue taking courses through Continuing Studies. Continuing Studies students must apply for admission by the completion of 30 s.h. Preadmission counseling, academic advising, registration, and other support services are provided for non-degree students.

For more information on non-degree students, see the Academic Policies section of this Bulletin.

Ambler/Fort Washington: Temple University's Ambler and Fort Washington campuses offer extensive undergraduate, graduate, and non-credit courses and programs that are available during days, evenings, and weekends. The listing of all offerings is available at www.ambler.temple.edu. Students interested in credit courses or programs should contact the Office of Academic and Career Advising at Ambler Campus by phone (267-468-8200), or go to the web site at www.ambler.temple.edu/advising. That office coordinates the services for students, as described under Main Campus above. For more information on non-credit offerings and registration, see the Non-Credit Programs/Temple University Fort Washington section below or go to www.temple.edu/ambler/tufw/.

Center City: In addition to undergraduate and graduate-level programs and courses, Temple University Center City (TUCC) offers a rich selection of non-credit programs and classes. These include courses for your personal enrichment from Music Prep, courses leading to state licensure in the real estate field from the Real Estate Institute, lively classes on every conceivable subject for retirees provided by members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Temple University (OLLI), and career development seminars and professional certificate programs which are administered through Temple University Fort Washington campus. For more information on non-credit programs, please see the Non-Credit Programs section below and/or visit www.temple.edu/tucc/.

Health Sciences Center (HSC): The School of Medicine (www.temple.edu/medicine/), the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry (http://dentistry.temple.edu/), the School of Pharmacy (www.temple.edu/pharmacy/), and the College of Health Professions (http://chpsw.temple.edu/) sponsor continuing education activities for their graduates as well as for graduates of other institutions. Many programs meet the requirements of professional accrediting agencies to take refresher courses or seminars in order to keep abreast of changes in the field.

Off-Campus/Corporate Programs

Temple University has been bringing its rich educational resources to off-campus sites for over 60 years. Through its Office of Extension Services, Temple University provides both off-campus and customized corporate programs throughout the Philadelphia five-county area and beyond. The Office of Extension Services offers a wide array of credit courses, certificate and full degree programs.

The staff of Extension Services serves as the liaison between the university faculty/trainers and its external customers.  They have developed strong affiliations with businesses, school districts, units of government, and non-profit associations. Extension Services delivers, on site, the most effective credit programs in the Delaware Valley.  Extension Services develops and customizes training programs designed to be taught on site at the client's workplace while assuring the utmost quality in instruction and customer service. For more information, view the Extension Services web site or e-mail extserv@temple.edu.

Credit-Bearing Certificate Programs

At Temple University, a certificate is a credit-bearing program of courses leading to a credential that recognizes the student’s work in a specialized area of knowledge. An undergraduate certificate may be part of a degree program, or it may stand alone. It is distinct from an academic major or minor and should not be confused with the process of professional certification for teaching and other fields. Certificate programs often focus on the acquisition of specific skills recognized in the job market. They are open to undergraduates in all Temple schools and colleges and majors and are particularly useful to students seeking to document their exposure to fields and disciplines outside of their academic major and minor. Some majors recommend particular certificate programs to their students. Non-degree students should contact the department offering a certificate, as some certificates are restricted to degree students. The University Honors Program and the Fox School of Business & Management offer Honors certificates. You will find a partial listing of certificate programs below. For more detailed information, contact the school, college, or campus where the program is offered.

Programs with Academic Credit

Temple University offers a variety of special programs with academic credit. For more details, contact the school, college, or campus where the program is offered.

Visiting Students: Temple University welcomes students from other colleges and universities who wish to enroll in courses on any of our campuses. All students must provide a transcript of their previous academic work and must have earned at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA. Students must bring or fax a permission form from their home institution, listing the specific Temple courses that have been approved for transfer. If the courses have prerequisites, students must provide proof of having taken and passed them. Some courses may also require special authorization from instructors or departments at Temple (e.g. business courses numbered 2000 and above).

Students may use the Visiting Student Registration Form available on the Temple University Summer web site at www.temple.edu/summer. This form must be faxed or sent via postal mail to the Temple University campus you are planning to attend. The full listing of the campus contact information and registration information for all campuses is available by visiting the Summer Programs Registration page at www.temple.edu/summer/register/visiting-students.html.

Credit Transfer to Your Home Institution: In order to facilitate the transfer of credits, students should request that an academic transcript be sent from Temple to their home institution. The transcript request form is available by visiting Temple's Office of the University Registrar web site. It will not be sent out automatically. For further information, please contact the Office of the University Registrar at 215-204-1131 or visit in person on the second floor, Conwell Hall, Broad Street and Montgomery Avenue, on the Main Campus. You may also visit the registration office at your campus of choice or go to their web site at www.temple.edu/registrar for more information.

Undergraduate Non-Degree Students: Students who are not currently enrolled at another institution may be permitted to register for some courses as non-degree students. To enroll in undergraduate courses they must have earned a high school diploma or a G.E.D. certificate. Students who have attended another college or university must provide a transcript of their previous academic work and must have earned at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA. With some exceptions, these students are required to take the university placement test before they can register. However, meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee enrollment as a non-degree student. For more information, and to speak with an academic advisor, please contact the Main Campus Office of Continuing Studies or the office of the campus you wish to attend.

High School Students: High school students who will be entering their senior year may be eligible to register for college-level courses. Before they can register, they must secure and provide written authorization from their guidance counselor or high school principal, specifying the course(s) the student is authorized to take.

Summer Sessions: Temple University welcomes students from other colleges and universities, international students, as well as our own students, to enroll in a summer course at any one of our several campuses. We offer credit, non-credit, day and evening courses at our campuses. We also have several Study Abroad Programs in France, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain.

Institute on Aging: Gerontology is the study of aging and the issues that surround the aging process. The Institute on Aging offers a Certificate in Gerontology program in cooperation with schools and colleges throughout the university. Therefore, the certificate program is designed to provide the student with an interdisciplinary education along with practical experience in the field of aging.

Certificates in Gerontology are offered at the undergraduate and graduate level. The 18-credit-hour program may be completed in conjunction with a degree program or as a separate emphasis program for persons not currently enrolled in a degree program. All students must register and complete 15 credit hours and a field placement or action research project. Students are expected to finish the program within a five-year time span. No more than two gerontology electives may be taken prior to admission into the program.

Non-Credit programs

For further information on the following non-credit programs, you can visit the web sites of Temple University Ambler (www.ambler.temple.edu), Temple University Center City (www.temple.edu/tucc/), Temple University Alumni and Friends (www.alumni.temple.edu/) and Russell Conwell Center (www.temple.edu/rcc).

Non-Credit Programs at Temple University Ambler (TUA), Fort Washington (TUFW), and Center City (TUCC): The Office of Non-Credit and Continuing Education, located at the TUA campus, provides training and seminars in professional development and personal enrichment topics, as well as computer applications. Courses and programs are offered at the TUA, TUFW and TUCC campuses. Non-credit certificates can be completed in Accounting, Project Management, Leadership and Management, Editing, Interior Design, Meeting Planning, Wedding Planning, Database Management and Web Site Design. Personal enrichment courses are offered in digital photography, writing, arts and literature, language, exercise, food and entertainment, horticulture and wellness. Workshops are also available to help prepare students for the SAT. For more information about courses and programs, or to receive catalogs or general information, call the Office of Non-Credit and Continuing Education at 267-468-8500. Or, send an e-mail to ncregistrar@temple.edu. To view the non-credit course listing, visit us on the web at www.ambler.temple.edu and click on "Non-Credit Programs."

LifeLong Learning Society at Temple University Fort Washington:  The Lifelong Learning program provides stimulating classes with great teachers, topics, and students. Classes are designed for learners 50 and up, but adult learners of all ages are welcome. After paying an annual fee, or semi-annual fee (fall or spring), students may enroll in as many of the LifeLong Learning Society courses as they like. Call 267-468-8500 for details or go to the LifeLong Learning Society section on the Fort Washington web site (www.temple.edu/ambler/tufw/) for a listing of courses.

Real Estate Institute: The Real Estate Institute is the largest professional consumer education program in the tri-state area offering pre-licensure or basic real estate courses as well as a broad spectrum of elective courses, all taught by state-certified real estate instructors. The Real Estate Institute's courses are fully-accredited by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission and are intended for those seeking state licensure and/or professional advancement but not an academic degree. The courses allow you to qualify for the Pennsylvania Salesperson Licensing examination and, together with a three-year apprenticeship and additional courses, for the Pennsylvania Real Estate Brokers examination. All students who successfully complete each course of study are awarded Real Estate educational credits and a Temple Real Estate Institute transcript. For more information, call 215-204-1530 and/or visit the web site at www.temple.edu/tucc/prodev/REI/.

Music Prep: Music Prep offers continuing opportunities for musical growth and enrichment for people of all ages and abilities, from the beginner to the experienced musician. There are programs designed for preschool through high school age students who are considering music as a future career or serious avocation and for adults who wish to develop their musical skills and interests. For more information, call 215-204-1512 and/or visit the web site at www.temple.edu/boyer/musicprep/.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Temple University (OLLI): OLLI is an educational program for people who are retired, near retirement, or adults with discretionary time to take daytime classes. There are no age limitations. The organization brings a lively, no-pressure atmosphere and offers a variety of courses.

OLLI instructors are also OLLI members, representing many professions, vocations, and life experiences. Classes are held Monday to Friday. OLLI also presents the Friday Forum, featuring speakers with diverse and interesting backgrounds. Members may sit-in on one undergraduate course each semester, subject to university policy and instructor approval. All classes are held at Temple's Center City campus - convenient to public transportation. For more information, call 215-204-1505, e-mail olli@temple.edu, and/or visit the web site at www.temple.edu/tucc/persenrichment/olli/.

Russell Conwell Center Non-Credit Programs: The Russell Conwell Center (RCC) offers a series of certificate programs designed to increase student's proficiency in various skill areas. While the certificate programs change each semester, sample certificate programs have included: Public Speaking, Creating Professional Presentations with PowerPoint, Utilizing Access, Becoming Proficient with Excel, and Financial Management, Budgeting and Investing. To obtain more information about the courses that are offered or to request a specific series, contact the RCC at 215-204-1252 or visit the RCC web site at www.temple.edu/rcc.