Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
Quick Facts
“Perseverantia Vincit”("Perseverance Conquers")
Data from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0) & U.S. Dept. of Education
About Temple University
Philadelphia's R1 research powerhouse, built on a legacy of accessible, dynamic education.
Temple University, a vibrant public state-related research university in the heart of Philadelphia, stands as a testament to perseverance and opportunity. As the second-largest university in Pennsylvania by enrollment, Temple offers a dynamic urban campus experience coupled with a global reach. It's a place where over 30,000 students pursue an impressive array of over 640 academic programs, fostering a community dedicated to discovery and impact.
Born from a simple act of generosity in 1884, Temple's roots trace back to Baptist minister Russell Conwell, who began tutoring working-class citizens in his church basement. This commitment to making education accessible to those "unable to get it through the usual channels" quickly blossomed into The Temple College of Philadelphia. From these humble beginnings, Temple expanded to include medical and dental schools early on, officially becoming Temple University in 1907, embodying its foundational mission of empowering individuals through learning.
Today, Temple is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity," demonstrating its significant contributions to groundbreaking research, with expenditures reaching over $300 million in 2022. Students benefit from this research-intensive environment across its 17 schools and colleges, including five professional schools. Beyond the classroom, the vibrant campus culture is enriched by 18 NCAA Division I varsity sports teams, the iconic "Temple Owls," and a lively campus atmosphere featuring beloved food trucks—a direct outcome of student advocacy from the 20th century. With additional campuses in Center City, Ambler, Harrisburg, Rome, and Tokyo, Temple offers diverse learning environments and a truly global perspective, preparing its 378,012 worldwide alumni for success.
The university continues to evolve, as evidenced by its "Visualize Temple" campus development plan, introducing modern facilities like the TECH Center and the LEED Gold-certified Science and Education Research Center. These ongoing enhancements ensure Temple remains at the forefront of education, blending its rich history of accessibility with cutting-edge academic and research opportunities.
Key Highlights
- ✦Classified as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation.
- ✦Second-largest university in Pennsylvania by enrollment, with over 30,000 students.
- ✦Offers 640+ academic programs and over 160 undergraduate majors across 17 schools and colleges.
- ✦Boasts a worldwide alumni base of 378,012.
- ✦Annual research and development expenditures exceeded $301 million in 2022.
- ✦Home to the Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry, the second oldest dental school in continuous existence in the U.S.
- ✦A unique "state-related" university, independently operated but receiving state funds, a distinctive public-private hybrid system in the U.S.
Timeline
Schools & Colleges
7 notable schools within Temple University
Fox School of Business
Established in 1918, it offers 15 undergraduate majors, 10 professional master's programs, and PhD programs, known for international partnerships.
Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry
Established in 1863, it is the second oldest dental school in continuous existence in the United States, offering comprehensive dental care services.
Beasley School of Law
Founded in 1895, known for strong programs in trial advocacy, transnational law, and taxation, offering full- and part-time programs with evening classes.
Lewis Katz School of Medicine
Founded in 1901, Pennsylvania's first co-educational medical school and one of seven in the state conferring the Doctor of Medicine degree.
School of Pharmacy
Offers Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in pharmaceutical sciences.
School of Podiatric Medicine
Home to the Foot and Ankle Institute, the largest podiatric medical treatment facility, logging over 40,000 patient visits annually.
School of Social Work
Part of the College of Public Health, it offers full-time, part-time, and online programs.
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