Prospective Students

Visiting and Exchange Students (One or Two semester program)

International Students Visiting MSU for One Semester or One Year  This section is intended for those students applying to study at MSU as a non-degree seeking students under the auspices of one of the current exchange or cooperative agreements. This information is not intended for other international students who are applying to MSU outside of a university agreement.International students enrolled at universities which do not have a partnership agreement with MSU should apply through the Office of Admissions as a non-degree student.

The Global Education Center (GEC) would like to welcome our visiting and exchange students. In order to apply as a visiting student to MSU under a current agreement, interested students must contact the International Office or faculty member managing the agreement at their home institution. Only students nominated by their home institutions can apply under the agreements.

Once your home institution has selected you for study at MSU, all students must complete the application packet below and submit it to their home institution. Your institution will forward your application packet on to the GEC once it is complete and contains all supporting documents.Spaces for visiting students are limited and not all applicants are guaranteed admission.

When the GEC receives your application packet it will be processed with the respective offices. You should check the email address you listed on your application frequently, as that is the way MSU will communicate with you. If any documents are missing or incomplete you will be notified. We will do our best to keep you informed every step of the way, but you should contact Domenica Dominguez, Director of Study Abroad and International Exchange at dominguezd@mail.montclair.edu  any time if you should have a concern or question.
The following link will take you to a list of current MSU partners.

Nomination

Students from partner universities wishing to study at Montclair State University for a “study abroad” as a visiting student must be nominated by their university and may apply for one semester or a full academic year.  MSU will only consider students nominated by their home university. 

Criteria for Admission as a Visiting Student

All students wishing to study at MSU as a visiting, non-degree student must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled in good standing at their home university
• Be nominated by their home institution
• Submit a completed application packet which includes:  

Special Considerations for Partner Universities

• MSU will offer each accepted visiting student an out-of-state tuition waiver.  This will allow visiting international students to pay the much lower tuition rate ordinarily reserved for New Jersey residents.
• MSU will waive the foreign credential evaluation requirement.
• MSU will arrange housing, registration, orientation, special programs for visiting students

Application Procedure

To apply as an undergraduate visiting international student, applicants should follow the steps listed below. 

• University International Office Advisor (or whoever is in charge of the University Agreement) must submit a statement nominating students for application.  Along with the statement the Advisor should include a list of students with the following information:
• Name of Student
• Status (undergraduate or graduate)
• Field of Study
• Term of Study (Fall, Spring or Academic Year)

• Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam and have the scores submitted with your application package to the Global Education Center dominguezd@mail.montclair.edu

Acceptable scores are:

• TOEFL computerized test  minimum score accepted is 213
• iBT test (internet) minimum score is  80
• Minimum IELTS score of 6.5 
• More information can be found at   www.toefl.org and at www.ielts.org

Applicants who are citizens from the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and have studied four years in their home country in English are exempt from TOEFL.  Per University agreements, students from the following partner universities are also exempt from submitting TOEFL scores:

• University of Agder, Norway
• University of Graz, Austria
• FH Joanneum University, Austria

In the above cases, the home institution shall screen applicants for English proficiency.  Other exemptions for TOEFL are made on a case by case basis.  Students from all other partner institutions must submit their current test scores with their application packets.

• Have your University send a copy of your transcript IN ENGLISH, to dominguezd@mail.montclair.edu or via mail to Global Education, MSU, 22 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043 Attn:  Study Abroad

• Complete the “Request for DS-2019 Application” downloadable here: (link not yet available, please request application)

DS-2019 Application for the J1 Student Visa

Most Visiting International students enter the United States on the J-1 Student Visa. There are also other visa types that are allowed to study in the United States. If you have another visa and wish to know whether you can study full-time or part-time with that type of visa, contact International Services.

In order to obtain the DS-2019 Form necessary to apply for the J-1 visa, a student must show that they have sufficient financial support to cover all expenses during their semester or year at MSU.

2009-2010 Per Semester Estimate of Expenses for Undergraduate Visiting Students

*In your financial support documentation you may indicate that MSU will provide you with an Out-of-State Tuition Waiver.  Your tuition cost after receiving the waiver will be approximately $5,500.  Please visit the MSU Bursar’s website for cost details. 

Immigration regulations require that all J-1 students enroll for a full-time course load each semester. Full-time for undergraduate students is at least 12 credits for each fall and spring semester.

Graduate Students
Graduate students who wish to apply to MSU as a visiting student for a semester or academic year must follow all application procedures outlined above.  IN ADDITION, graduate-level applicants must submit the following documentation:

• Official evidence from the home institution that student has completed bachelor's degree
• Official evidence from the home institution that student is enrolled in a graduate program
• Official evidence from the home institution that credits received at MSU will count toward the graduate degree at home institution
• Student must complete an on-line graduate application found here:     https://tokyo.montclair.edu/gradweb/webapp/webapplogin.php?createAccountPage=1  (application fee will be waived)

Depending on your field of study additional documentation may be requested.

Housing

The International Living Community, in Alice Paul Hall in the Village apartments, offers both American and International students a unique opportunity to make friends from around the world who share an interest in broadening their cultural perspectives.
The Office of International Services provides an array of programs for residents of the ILC including discussion groups, excursions, social events and other educational and cultural activities. ILC programs promote increased global awareness and intercultural respect and understanding.

Programs
Cookies and Culture

Meeting most Mondays evenings in the first floor lounge of Alice Paul Hall in the Village Campus Apartments, residents of the International Living Community and guests take a break, enjoy dinner and snacks, and learn about each other’s backgrounds through games and other social activities. Examples of programs include international trivia games, language lessons and nights focusing on the food and music of individual countries. As the ILC residents like to say, “come for the cookies, stay for the culture!”
Special trips for ILC residents
Trips to New York, Philadelphia and other local destinations help students learn about this area of the US.

Registration
The MSU International Student Advisor registers exchange students for classes, helping them maneuver through various departments’ requirements. During the semester prior to your arrival you will choose your courses and send them to Beth for registration.

Orientation
Orientation is generally the Friday before classes begin. Orientation provides students with information about their visas, how to get an on-campus job, campus organizations and activities, and other topics relevant to MSU students.

International Visiting Student Application Deadlines
Fall Semester Admission
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the spring semester but due to space constraints, there are limits to the number of visiting students from each university.   Please keep in mind the time required to secure a visa when applying.

Spring Semester Admission
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fall semester but due to space constraints, there are limits to the number of visiting students from each university.   Please keep in mind the time required to secure a visa when applying.  

Term Dates

Academic Calendar