Temple University General Education Requirement Options

Students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Temple University must satisfy Temple University’s general education requirements. The number of general education courses students must take depends on the number of credits students transfer and/or whether a student has earned an appropriate associate degree from Community College of Philadelphia.

Gen Ed to Gen Ed

Students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree from Community College of Philadelphia

Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia have a core-to-core agreement known as Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed. In this, Temple University agrees to accept the General Education embedded in Community College of Philadelphia’s Associate in Arts (A.A.) or Associate in Science (A.S.) degree as meeting all the requirements of its undergraduate General Education requirements except for two writing intensive courses to be completed at Temple University as long as the student satisfies the categories below.

This Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed agreement applies to all A.A. and A.S. degrees and is not limited to students who participate in dual admissions. Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed transfer does not alter the requirements of the student's major field of study and students must still satisfy all requirements for the intended major.

Students who earn an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) should follow the guidelines for “45 + Gen Ed” below.

To be eligible for Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed, Temple University requires students to earn an A.A. or A.S. and complete the following at Community College of Philadelphia to meet Temple University Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed expectations before transfer to Temple University:

  1. ENGL 101
  2. ENGL 102 plus a total of FOUR humanities and social science courses from approved list.
  3. one math course from approved list.
  4. and one lab science course from approved list.

Find your associate degree program to determine whether you may need to take additional courses to satisfy Temple University’s Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed requirements:

CCP ProgramFulfills
Gen Ed to Gen Ed
May need additional course
Architecture A.A. must take a Lab Science course from the approved Temple University list
Art and Design A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Biology A.S.
Black Studies A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Business – Accelerated A.A.
Business – General A.A.
Business A.A. must take a Lab Science course from the approved Temple University list
Business Administration A.A.
Chemistry A.S. must take an additional TWO Humanities/Social Science courses from the approved Temple University list 
Communication Studies A.A.
Computer Science A.S. must take an additional ONE Humanities/Social Science courses from the approved Temple University list 
Education – Early Childhood (Birth to 4th Grade) A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
This additional math course will qualify for Temple University's Gen-Ed to Gen-Ed but students will still need to take additional math courses in order to fulfill Temple University's Early Childhood major requirements.
Education – Middle Level (4th to 8th Grade) A.A.
Education – Secondary (Humanities/Social Studies) A.A.
Education – Secondary (Mathematics/Science) A.A.
Engineering Science A.S. must take an additional TWO Humanities/Social Science courses from the approved Temple University list 
English A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Health Care Studies A.A.
Health Studies Management A.A.
Interior Design A.A. must take a Lab Science course from the approved Temple University list
International Studies A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Liberal Arts – Honors A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Liberal Arts – Social/Behavioral Science A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Liberal Arts A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Mass Media A.A.
Mathematics A.S. must take an additional TWO Humanities/Social Science courses from the approved Temple University list 
Psychology A.A.
Religious Studies A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Theater A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list
Tourism and Hospitality Management A.A. must take a Math course from the approved Temple University list

Students who satisfy all Community College of Philadelphia requirements of the following associate degrees automatically satisfy these Temple University Gen Ed-to-Gen Ed requirements:

  • Biology A.S.
  • Business Administration A.A.
  • Business – General A.A.
  • Business – Accelerated A.A.
  • Communication Studies A.A.
  • Education – Middle Level (4th to 8th Grade) A.A.
  • Education – Secondary (Humanities/Social Studies) A.A.
  • Education – Secondary (Mathematics/Science) A.A.
  • Health Care Studies A.A.
  • Health Studies Management A.A.
  • Mass Media A.A.
  • Psychology A.A.

If your College curriculum needs ONE Humanities/Social Science course to meet Temple University requirements choose from the following Community College of Philadelphia subject or course options:

  • Anthropology
  • Art 101, 103, 104, 120, 205
  • Black Studies 101, 102
  • Justice 101
  • Economics 181, 182
  • English 100 and 200 levels, other than 101, 102, 108, 112, 122, 124
  • Gender Studies
  • Geography
  • History
  • Humanities
  • Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Music 103, 105, 106, 120, 121
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Sociology
  • World Languages (except ASL)

If your College curriculum needs ONE Math course to Meet Temple University requirements choose from the following Community College of Philadelphia course options:

  • MATH 137, 150, 152, 155, 161, 162, 171, 251
  • ECON 112

If your College curriculum needs ONE Lab Science course to meet Temple University requirements choose from the following Community College of Philadelphia course options:

  • BIOL 106, 107, 108, 109, 110
  • CHEM 101,102, 105, 110, 121,122
  • PHYS 111, 112, 140, 241

45+ Gen Ed

Temple University’s General Education requirement is reduced for students who earn 45 or more transferable credits from Community College of Philadelphia or any other institution but do NOT earn an A.A. or A.S. Students who earn an A.A.S. from Community College of Philadelphia would also follow this reduced general education requirement.

Guidelines for "45+ Gen Ed" are:

  • Race and Diversity: 1 course
  • Mosaic: 1 course from HUM 101 or 102
  • Quantitative Literacy: 1 course, although many majors require 2 courses.
  • Science & Technology: 1 lab science. Science, engineering and education majors require at least 2 sciences.
  • Human Behavior, Arts, U.S. Society: 1 course from two of the three areas (see below).
  • Analytic Reading and Writing: 1 course
  • World Society: 1 course in world society. Many students are also required to complete world language requirements. See general education guide under Global/World Society.
  • Writing intensive courses: 2 courses to be completed at Temple University.

Consult the general education requirement guide below for Community College of Philadelphia courses that satisfy these Temple University general education requirements. Regardless of Temple University’s general education requirements, students must still satisfy all requirements for the intended major.

Full General Education

Temple University’s General Education requirement for students who earn less than 45 transferable credits from Community College of Philadelphia or any other college/university. 

The entire general education requirement must be satisfied to earn a degree from Temple University. Students may satisfy general education requirements with courses taken at Community College of Philadelphia or at Temple University. Consult the general education requirement guide below for Community College of Philadelphia courses that satisfy the Temple University general education requirements.

Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a Community College of Philadelphia academic advisor or counselor to develop a course taking strategy.

Temple University General Education Requirements

Temple University Contact: Transfer Admission Counselor
Phone: (215) 204-7200
Web for academic requirements: bulletin.temple.edu
Students may also visit the Temple University Course Equivalency List for more information.

COURSES NOT LISTED MAY ALSO TRANSFER TOWARD THE MAJOR OR AS ELECTIVE CREDITS. BUSINESS, ENGINEERING, EDUCATION and HEALTH PROFESSIONS MAJORS HAVE FEW ELECTIVES.

A course specific to the subject area of a student’s major cannot be used to satisfy general education. There are exceptions to this rule for the quantitative literacy and science requirements for students who major in the traditional sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, biochemistry). Also, one course cannot be used to satisfy more than one requirement, except in the case of the Mosaic requirement (see section on Mosaic requirement).

Temple UniversityCommunity College of Philadelphia
RACE AND DIVERSITY – 1 course BLAS 101; ENGL 250, 251; HIST 160, 220, 221; SOC 233
MOSAIC – 2 courses HUM 101 and 102
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY – 1 course of at least 3 credits. Science requirements can vary by major. Health career and science majors are required to complete lab sciences beyond the general education requirement. BIOL 106, 107, 109, 110; CHEM 101, 102, 105, 110, 121, 122; PHYS 111, 112, 140, 241
QUANTITATIVE LITERACY – 1 course
CHECK INTENDED MAJOR FOR REQUIREMENTS. Business Students, Science and Engineering students, Education students and others need more than one course.
MATH 137, 150, 152, 161, 162, 171, 251, ECON 112
HUMAN BEHAVIOR – 1 course ANTH 101; ECON 181, 182; ENGL 107; GS 101; JUS 101; POLS 101; SOC 101;  
THE ARTS – 1 course ADC 221, 222; ART 101, 103, 104, 105, 111; ENGL 137, 190, 208, 232; MUSIC 103, 105
ANALYTIC READING AND WRITING – 1 course ENGL 101
US SOCIETY – 1 course HIST 101, 102, 103, 160, HIST/RS 170;  MUS 121; POLS 111; SOC 233
GLOBAL/WORLD SOCIETY—1 or 2 courses. Important: To find out which school or college at TU your major is housed go to bulletin.temple.edu. ANTH 112, 202, 215; ENGL 230; GS 110; HIST 121, 122; HUM 120, 130, 150, 180, 190; PHIL/RS 151; POLS 112

 

Global/World Society Requirements by Colleges at Temple University

  • Boyer College of Music and Dance — 1 course
  • College of Education — 1 course
  • College of Engineering — 1 course
  • College of Liberal Arts - Bachelor of Arts (BA) — Most degrees in the College of Liberal Arts are Bachelors of Arts, see below for explanation of options.
  • College of Liberal Arts - Bachelor of Science (BS) — 1 course
  • College of Public Health — 1 course. Communication Sciences majors, see above for explanation of options.
  • College of Science and Technology - Bachelor of Arts (BA) — see below for explanation of options.
  • College of Science and Technology - Bachelor of Science (BS) — 1 course
  • Fox School of Business — 1 course. International Business majors also need to complete a world language through the intermediate level (fourth semester).
  • Klein College of Media and Communication — 1 course
  • Tyler School of Art - Bachelor of Arts (BA) — see below for explanation of options
  • Tyler School of Art - Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) — 1 course
  • School of Environmental Design — 1 course
  • School of Social Work — 1 course
  • School of Theater Film and Media Arts — 1 course
  • School of Tourism and Hospitality Management — 1 course

Students who intend to earn a Bachelor of Arts in the College of Liberal Arts, College of Science, Tyler School of Art, or the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences in the College of Public Health must satisfy a world language requirement and world society in one of the following ways:

  1. Complete two courses in world society and the second semester of a world language,
  2. Complete one course in world society and the first intermediate level (third semester) of world language,
  3. Complete one course in world society, at least the second semester of a world language, and study abroad in a program approved by the university, or
  4. Complete HUM 150 at Community College of Philadelphia and the second semester of a world language.

International Business majors need to complete world language through the intermediate level (fourth semester) and complete one course in world society.

Students whose native language is not English or students who are proficient in reading and writing another language may satisfy the world language requirement through a competency test administered after transfer to Temple University or by evidence of a high school diploma earned at an institution at which English was not the primary language.

Community College of Philadelphia Support Services

Students are highly encouraged to visit a Community College of Philadelphia academic advisor or counselor to discuss the transfer process and to review their goals:

  • To schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, login to MyCCP for the Starfish Connect appointment system, call 215.751.8777 or stop by BG-12 on Main Campus.
  • To schedule an appointment with a counselor, please call 215-751-8169, email , stop by BG-7 on Main Campus.
  • Academic advisors and counselors are also available at the Regional Centers.