Starting as a Non-matriculated Student

The Graduate College of Education allows you to take nine semester hours of credit before matriculating. That usually means three full courses, or an equivalent combination of three-credit courses and one-credit seminars. The graduate credits you earn as a non-matriculated student apply toward your master's degree if you later matriculate, providing that your grade in each course is "B" or better.

For New Students

New students should submit the "new student form" first in order to start taking courses as a non-matriculated student. Please follow the procedures described on the "New Student Registration" page.

• New Student Registration

Advantages to Matriculating Later

There are several advantages to matriculating later—after taking one, two, or three Temple graduate courses. First, you will have had a chance to get to know the curriculum, the faculty, and the other graduate students before you commit yourself to the degree program. You will be able to make a more informed decision about matriculation.

Second, if your undergraduate grades were below a B average, non-matriculated status allows you to establish a stronger academic record before you file for admission. In addition, your TUJ professors will be able to write recommendation letters on your behalf to the Graduate College of Education.

Finally, if you plan to take more than three years in completing your master's degree, there is an advantage to delaying matriculation: the university considers your date of matriculation to be the official beginning of your tenure in the program, rather than the date of your first course. This gives you more time to complete the requirements for the degree.