Student FAQs

The following is a list of questions students frequently ask about the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus. These questions are organized under three categories to help prospective and current students quickly discover more about the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus. These categories include:General Information about the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus, Academic Life, and Community Life. If you find that this list does not address your specific question or you wish to have more information about a particular topic, please contact the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus enrollment office.

General Information About the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus
What is the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus?
In response to the increasing urbanization and globalization of American society, Messiah College launched its Philadelphia Campus in 1968. The Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus is owned and operated by Messiah College. Although this unique campus partners with Temple University, the experiential learning environment also provides a variety of venues focurricular and contextual education. See this program overview for more details.

How do I arrange a tour of the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus?
To arrange a tour of campus facilities, please contact the enrollment office at 215-769-2526 ext 7507 during normal business hours (8:30AM-5:00PM) at least one week prior to the date on which you would like to receive a tour.

When is the next trip from Messiah's Grantham Campus to thePhiladelphia Campus?
Check the Messiah College "Community News" or the Student Programs Office for the next "B-line" trip or a day trip to Philadelphia sponsored by the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus.

Where is Messiah's Philadelphia Campus in location to Temple University's campus?
Messiah College's Philadelphia Campus is composed of seven large renovated townhouses located on Broad Street, directly across the street from Temple University. This integrated living-learning facility offers a variety of residential housing types for students and resident staff and facaulty. These townhouses also provide office space for staff and faculty, classroom units for the courses taught on campus, a library, computer laboratory, dining room, lounges, laundries, and recreation area.

Is the Philadelphia Campus staff employed by Temple or Messiah?
The members of the Philadelphia Campus staff and faculty are employed by Messiah College. Many of the staff and faculty live on-campus and welcome interaction with students outside the classroom or office hours.

Does it cost the same to attend the Philadelphia Campus as it does to spend a semester at Messiah's Grantham Campus?
Housing costs are comparable to rates offered for housing at Messiah's campus in Grantham. Tuition for Messiah College students remains the same as students are still enrolled at Messiah College. At the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus, students receive the same financial aid benefits as they receive at the Messiah College Grantham Campus. For more information regarding fees, see the Messiah College Schedule of Fees.

Does Messiah's Philadelphia Campus follow the same academic calendar as Messiah's main campus in Grantham?
The Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus bases its academic calendar around Temple University's academic calendar. Thus, the Philadelphia Campus' registration processing period and school recessesmay not coincide with similar calendar items posted on the calendar for Messiah's main campus.

Can I participate in J-term if I am attending Messiah's Philadelphia Campus during the spring semester?
Students attending Messiah's Philadelphia Campus during the spring semester may not participate in J-term since it overlaps with the start of spring semester at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus. However, if students are only interested in taking the j-term cross-cultural in Philadelphia they need not worry about the calendar overlap.

Application and Registration
How do I apply to spend a semester at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus?
To apply for a semester at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus, students fill out an on-line application accessed through the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus website. There is a rolling application process instated at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus. Thus, there are no specific deadlines for applying. However, students' chances of being accepted, admitted, and registered for the classes they want are enhanced when they apply early during the semester prior to the semester they intend to enroll at the campus. Best times to apply are usually by the end of the month of September for spring attendance and by the end of the month of February for attendance in the fall.

What is the application process?
1. Student completes the online application form for the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus
2. The application is sent to a database were the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus Director of Enrollment reviews the applicant's academic and disciplinary standing with the college
3. Applicant's advisor is notified that the student has applied. Advisor must provide approval for applicant's attendance
4. Applicant attends an interview/informational session about the campus arranged by the Director of Enrollment
5.After all steps have been completed, applicant receives a letter regarding application status

What is the registration process ?
1. Students receive pre registration packets at the interview/informational session to help them begin to prepare for registration
2.Students receive registration materials in the mail or in the EpiCenter
3.Students review the materials and instructions provided in the packets and create a tentative schedule with at least one or two alternative course options
4.Students consult with their advisors about course selections and have their advisor sign the registration document(s)
5.During the registration period for Temple University, the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus enrollment office enrolls students in courses taken at Messiah's Philadelphia Campus and its partnership with Temple University. Students who fail to return registration packets by the deadline stated in the packet may not receive all their preferred class selections
6.Students receive confirmation that their registration has been processed or is pending once their registration information has been entered in the proper registration programs

How do I register for the J-term or May term cross-cultural?
You do not need to fill out the online application if you are only participating in a J-term or May term course at the Philadelphia Campus. To register for J-term or May term, please sign up at the Grantham Campus during your scheduled registration period for enrolling in spring classes.

Academic Life
Do I receive similar benefits at Temple University as other Temple students?
Students who study at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus during a semester do benefit from a number of the same opportunities Temple students receive. As a Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus student, you are issued a student ID for Temple University. This ID provides students with access to almost all of Temple's facilities including the Independent Blue Cross Student Recreation Center, the Liacouras Sports Complex, Paley Library, and Temple's Tomlinson Theater. The ID in combination with a student GAF(general activities fee) card received by all Messiah students during orientation at the beginning of each semester provides free or discounted access to Temple's Division I NCAA sports games and other campus events. However, Messiah students are excluded from participating in varsity athletics and receiving most Temple academic awards.

If I am in Messiah's Honors Program can I participate in Temple's Honors courses?
Yes. As a Messiah Honors student you may also study in Temple University's Honors Program.

What General Education requirements can be met at the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus?
Each semester the Philadelphia Campus offers five general education courses (Bible 200, Ethics, World Views, Christain Beliefs, and a Cross-Cultural). Additionally, the campus offers a three-credit urban field experience and a monthly internship seminar for students participating in internships around the Philadelphia area. These courses provide students with a directive as well as reflective framework for their experiences through our partnership with Temple University, the North Central Philadelphia neighborhood in which they live, and the city in general. Courses taken through Messiah's partnership withTemple University may also fulfill many Messiah College general education requirements.

How do I know that a requirement for my major can be met with a course taken through Messiah's partnership with Temple?
Students who wish to take courses to satisfy requirements for their major or minor offered at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus in partnership with Temple University may do so with permission from their major or minor advisor or department.

Am I required to take a course from Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus faculty?
The Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus courses are an integral component of the curricular and co-curricular educational experience offered at Messiah's Philadelphia Campus.

At the time of application students agree to take at least one course taught at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus each semester of attendance unless written permission to waive the policy is completed and granted before the end of registration the semester prior to attendance. While several of theses courses meet Messiah College general education requirements, students cannot request a policy waiver because they have already fulfilled all their general educuation requirements or the requirements that these courses meet. If this is the case for a student, he/she will take the one of courses as an elective. A waiver for this policy is only under exceptional circumstances.

Can I get my cross-cultural requirement waived by going to Messiah's Philadelphia Campus?
Teeming with a variety of ethnic cultures, the city of Philadelphia offers students a diverse context in which to explore a literal microcosm of the globe. In this setting, there are a number of ways students can meet the Messiah College general education cross-cultural requirement while studying at the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus.

Can I get an internship at Messiah's Philadelphia Campus?
The city of Philadelphia makes it an ideal location to bolster your resume with an internship in your chosen field of interest. Please contact the Internship Center if you are interested in internship possibilities in Philadelphia.

What is the Urban Semester Program?
A 15-credit semester-long mini-curriculum, the Urban Semester Program(USP) focuses on the issues that today's urban environments face. The USP gives students significant flexibility and leverage in meeting personal growth an curricular objectives. This program is ideal for students completing the urban and muticultural education minor.

Where do I buy textbooks for my classes? Where can I find a list of textbooks?
Messiah College courses: Textbooks may be purchased at the receptionist window where a list of books for each course is also posted.

Temple University courses: Textbooks may be purchased in the lower level of the Student Activities Center (SAC) at the Temple University bookstore.

Community Life
What is my mailing address while I am at Messiah's Philadelphia Campus?
Mail can be sent addressed to you at the following location. 2026 North Broad Street, Philadelphia PA 19121.

What is housing like at Messiah's Philadelphia Campus?
There are a variety of housing types available at the campus. Students are provided with options to live in dorms and suites and occasionally special interest housing. Because the campus is composed of renovated 19th century townhouses, each room is unique. The facility as a whole is customized to foster community living.

When do I find out about housing information?
Housing dates appear ont the Important Dates Sheet provided to students after they apply. Housing generally takes place in early November for spring enrollment and early April for fall enrollment.

What is the housing process?
1. Students receive information about housing and sign up sheets from the Director of Community Life
2.Students receive their housing assignments confirmation letter at the New Student Reception at the end of the semester
3. Students receive a larger more detailed housing letter to prepare for their arrival at the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus. Students' phone numbers cannot be confirmed until their arrival on campus

What happens during orientation?
Throughout the first week of attendance at the Philadelphia Campus, students are familiarized with the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus, Temple University, the city, public transportation, safety, and a variety of other topics during an in-depth orientation program. Orientation is mandatory.

Am I under the Messiah College Community Covenant while I am at the campus?
Students are expected to abide by the Community Covenant while attending or visiting the campus. The Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus believes that the Community Covenant is a redemptive guide that nurtures an optimum living and learning environment for all individuals participating in this educational experience.

Are there visitation hours? What are they?
Visitation hours are:
Monday-Friday: 7:00PM to midnight
Saturday-Sunday: 3:00PM to midnight

What is Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus meal plan?
The Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus meal plan reflects the multifaceted and diverse nature of the program. The meal plan allows students to engage all aspects that comprise the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus experience--the Messiah living-learning community, Temple University and the culturally diverse city of PhiladelphiaThe meal plan provides students with five evening community meals served at the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus facility during the week in addition to the options available to students at Temple University and restaurants throughout the city. While students may choose from three different meal plan configurations, they must at least participate in the 10 meal plan.

Are there laundry facilities at the Philadelphia Campus?
There are two laundry facilities. These machines use coins to operates: 50 cents for each load.

Will I be safe while I attend Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus?
Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus stresses a proactive approach to safety. During an orientation session that takes place at the campus each semester, staff and Temple University public safety instruct new students on how to use common sense to move wisely around the city and how to use public transportation. The campus provides a secure and comfortable environment for students. Campus windows and doors are equipped with security devices and there is always a staff member or student life coordinator (SLC) on duty for emergencies. In addition, Temple University strives to maintain safety and security in and around its well-lit campus.

Is there public transportation close to Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus?
The campus is located between two major subway stops and is serviced by the city's bus transportation.Transportation is both accessible and easy to understand. During orientation, Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus staff acclimate new students to SEPTA, Philadelphia's transportation system.

Can I bring my car to Philadelphia? Is there parking?
Students may bring their cars to Philadelphia, but using public transporation is strongly encouraged. If you must bring your car you can use your Temple ID card to invest in parking services at Temple University or you can park your car on the streets around the Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus. Parking can be both frustrating and difficult in the city. Students who park their cars on the street should be aware of all restricted parking areas and should also refrain from leaving valuable items in their cars.

How can I keep in touch with friends back in Grantham?
The Messiah College-Philadelphia Campus is networked with Grantham computer and phone systems so you can easily send e-mail to friends and faculty members or dial the four-digit phone extension to call them for free. All phone calls in the local Grantham area are free of charge. Campus mail regularly passes between campuses and is delivered free of charge. MC-PC student government sponsors van trips to Grantham so students can participate in activities and visit friends at the main campus. Additionally, the Messiah College Student Programs Office sonors weekend trips known as "B-line" trips. Students in Grantham may sign up for one of these trips to visit friends at the Messiah College- Philadelphia Campus or simply to visit the campus.