Non-Degree Options

"General Non-Degree" or "Professional Non-Degree" are the two Non-Degree classifications for students just seeking one or two courses. Applicants must submit Part A of the application forms and an official transcript from the school where they received their highest degree.

1. General Non-Degree

For students who may be considering a graduate program, are not yet sure which one to pursue but are interested in taking courses. Students are eligible to take up to two courses or six credits. Please note that not all programs allow non-degree students to enroll in their courses. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services for the latest information. Students who later decide to apply and are admitted to a graduate program may transfer a maximum of six credits (if applicable to the program) into a graduate degree program with Graduate Program Coordinator's approval. Admission to this status requires a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the applicant's bachelor's degree program.

2. Professional Non-Degree

For students who are NOT interested in applying for a Montclair State University graduate degree program and belong to one of the following categories:

• seeking career advancement, professional development, or personal enrichment,
• satisfying accreditation/licensure requirements,
• applying for certification through the State of New Jersey or an outside agency, or
• taking undergraduate courses to prepare for a graduate degree program.

Admission to this status requires a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in the applicant's bachelor's degree program.

3. Pre-Admit

Is your application to Montclair State University still incomplete or did you miss a deadline for this term? You may want to consider attending MSU as a Pre-Admit student, a non-degree status which allows you to take up to 2 courses (6 credits) while you complete your application requirements. If so, please read the description of this status below, complete the request form and submit it to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services. [This status is not available to international applicants seeking F-1 (student) visas.] If you have any questions, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services at (973) 655-5147 or graduate.school@montclair.edu.

Minimum Requirements for the Pre-Admit

You must have completed these parts of the application process to be eligible:

• Submitted Part A of the Application (available online or in our office College Hall 203),
• Submitted transcript* indicating receipt of an undergraduate or graduate degree, and a minimum of 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale in a bachelor's degree program.
• Paid the $60 non-refundable application fee (no additional fee required),
• Submitted a completed Pre-Admit Status request form

* Applicants who did not receive an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. accredited college or university must also

• Submit the required World Education Service course-by-course evaluation of their post-secondary education,
• Submit official TOEFL scores if they do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree from a country where English is the native language. (Scores must be less than 2 years old.)

Also, as indicated above, applicants holding or seeking F-1 (student) visas are not eligible for this status.

Once all of this information is received, The Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services will review the documentation and notify you via email if you are eligible to register for courses.

4. Visiting Non-Degree

This status applies to applicants who are graduate students in good standing at another institution who wish to take courses at MSU. Applicants must complete the online application (Non-Degree- Visiting Student) and submit official transcripts from their current institution. Upon registration, students will be assessed a non-refundable $25 Visiting Student fee.

Eligibility for All Three Non-degree Statuses

Applicants to any programs except the following:

• Certificate in Accounting
• Certificate in Advanced Counseling
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
• Certificate in International Business
• Certificate in Management
• Certificate in School Counseling
• Doctor of Environmental Management
• Doctor of Science in Audiology
• EDD in Pedagogy (all concentrations)
• MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech Language Pathology
• MA in Educational Psychology (all concentrations)
• MA in Psychology (all concentrations)
• MAT: Elementary Education K-5 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities TELD
• MAT: Early Childhood Education P-3 and Teacher of Students with Disabilities - TECD
• MBA in Business Administration (all concentrations)
• M. Ed. in Special Education - SPCE
• M. Ed. in Learning Disabilities - LRDI
• MFA in Studio Art
• Post-Master's LDT-C certification - LDTC
• Principal Certification (no nondegree or visiting students)
• School Business Administrator Certification (no nondegree or visiting students)
• Substance Awareness Coordinator Certification
• Supervisor Certification (no nondegree or visiting students)
• Teacher of Students with Disabilities - additional certification - TESD

In addition, the following programs require permission from the department before applicants can be approved to register for these courses. Applicants must contact the individual listed below who will notify the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services if they can authorize the registration;

MS in Computer Science
Dr. James Benham, Graduate Program Coordinator
(973) 655-7249 or 4166

MA in English
Dr. Art Simon, Graduate Program Coordinator
(973) 655-7942

MA in Counseling
(Pre admit or non degree students with an earned baccalaureate degree may take only two courses, COUN 552 or COUN 577.  Applicants with an earned masters degree in counseling or a related field are not permitted to take courses under a non-degree status, and must formally apply to a post-masters certificate program in counseling).
Lucille Gesualdi
(973) 655-6844

MA in Educational Leadership
(Pre admit or non degree students with an earned baccalaureate degree may take only these two specific courses, ELAD 510 and ELAD 540. In addition, this program does not accept visiting students. Applicants with an earned master’s degree in educational leadership or a related field are not permitted to take courses under any non-degree status, and must formally apply and be accepted to one of the certification programs in Educational Leadership (Principal, Supervisor, or School Business Administrator).
Eunice Grippaldi
973-655-7718

5. Older-Adult Tuition Waiver Program

New Jersey residents 65 years or older are eligible to take university courses on a space-available, tuition-waiver basis.  If students already have a baccalaureate degree, they must apply for admission to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services and may be eligible to take undergraduate or graduate courses on a credit or a non-credit basis.  Students may also be eligible to apply for a degree program by meeting all the necessary entrance requirements.  For more information, contact the Older Adult Tuition Waiver Program, Montclair State University, Montclair, New Jersey 07043, (973) 655-4433.