Lifelong Learning for Alumni Aged 50 and Older

Temple Senior Scholars invites alumni and their spouses or partners age 50 and older to return to Temple's vibrant educational community. For hundreds of Temple alumni each year, the Senior Scholars program means no tests and no grades, just the joy of learning with Temple's diverse students and acclaimed faculty. Choose from a variety of courses in subjects as diverse as American studies and anthropology, history and horticulture, political science and theater. Classes are offered weekdays and evenings at Main Campus, Center City, Ambler, and now at Temple University's Harrisburg Campus!

Summer course registration: Monday, April 15, 2019 through Wednesday, May 8, 2019. Summer courses begin in either May or June.

Fall course registration: Monday, June 24, 2019 through Friday, August 16, 2019. Fall courses begin the week of August 26, 2019.

General Information

Auditing a Course:

As a Temple Senior Scholar, you will audit regularly scheduled undergraduate courses. That means that you will share classes with today’s Temple students—study the subject, do the readings and participate in class discussions—but you will not take tests or turn in written assignments. You will not receive a grade, and you will not receive academic credit for the course, but you will have the excitement of learning in a modern classroom.

Computers/Internet and the Classroom:

Temple University has one of the most technologically connected campuses in the nation, and professors take advantage of this in their teaching. Most of the professors use Canvas, a secure Internet website, to post course material, and as a student, you will receive a Temple email address and courtesy computer account. In the first week of class, you must visit one of the computer centers (there’s one on each campus) to open your account so that you can gain access to Canvas. There are also computers on each campus you can use should you not have an Internet connection at home. If you choose not to use Canvas, you may miss an important component of your learning experience in the course.

Library Privileges:

As a Temple alumnus/alumna, you have in-house and borrowing privileges at Temple University Libraries. Your OWLcard (sent in your confirmation packet just before the semester begins) will identify you and give you access.

Semester Schedule:

Summer I: May 13-June 24

Summer II: June 25-August 8

Fall: August 26-December 9

Classes will not be held on the following dates:

Monday, May 27: Memorial Day

Thursday, July 4: Independence Day

Monday, September 2: Labor Day

Monday, November 25-Friday, November 29: Fall Break & Thanksgiving holiday

Parking:

Daily parking is available in many Main Campus lots. Costs at the lots vary and a parking map with information will be mailed in your confirmation packet. Temple University Center City offers discount parking, and Temple University Ambler provides parking for a fee of $25 per semester.

Want to request a course?

Each semester, the Senior Scholars program offers an eclectic mix of courses. However, we are always open to adding new courses based on participant interest. If you would like to request that a new course be added to the Senior Scholars program, please fill out the form at the link below. Please do not contact any faculty member directly, as all courses need to be approved by schedulers before they are allowed to be added to this program.

Registration:

All registrations are processed in the order in which they are received. Some courses limit the number of Senior Scholars they can accommodate, so register early online for the courses you want.

Fees:

The fee of $250 per course, per person, is to be paid by credit card at the time of registration. A few courses have additional fees to be paid separately after the course begins.

Refund Policy:

Current matriculated Temple undergraduates are given first access to courses, and they can register for classes until the semester begins, so there is always a possibility that classes may fill at the last minute. Alternatively, courses are sometimes canceled by the university because of low registration by matriculated students. If the class you have chosen is canceled, you will be notified. You can either choose another course or your fee will be refunded. After the term's registration deadline, as listed above, no refunds will be given for any other reason.

Senior Scholars are expected to conduct themselves professionally and abide by the rules of the classroom. Time allotted for class participation and professor’s time should be respected. In the event that a Senior Scholars’ behavior and experience infringes on matriculated students’ experience or is otherwise disruptive, the Senior Scholars program reserves the right to remove a Senior Scholar from a class with no notice and no course change. Refunds in this circumstance will be at the sole discretion of the Senior Scholars program.

Deadline:

The registration deadline for summer 2019 courses is Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. The registration deadline for fall 2019 courses is Friday, August 16, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. Firm registration deadlines are necessary to process registrations, alert faculty, and set up internet access. Sorry, no exceptions.

Confirmation:

You will immediately receive an email confirmation of your credit card transaction. However, your acceptance into the class(es) of your choice will be confirmed only after registration has closed, approximately one week before your course begins. Classes are sometimes closed or canceled at the last minute, so acceptance cannot be confirmed until just before the semester begins. A confirmation packet containing information on your course, your OWLCard and a handbook with general information will be sent to you in the week before your course begins.