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Admissions Requirements

Freshman Admission Standards

Montclair State University considers a number of factors in reviewing an admissions application. The most important of these factors is the student’s academic performance in high school, particularly the student’s high school GPA and the rigor of the courses taken (minimum course requirements plus additional, more comprehensive coursework as described below).

Other factors considered in our holistic review process include: strong letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors; a well-written, thoughtful admissions essay; a commitment to extra-curricular engagement (for example, community service, leadership in student organizations and athletics, performance and artistic activities, and part-time employment); and standardized test scores.

Each application for admission to Montclair State University is reviewed individually, and the admissions process is a competitive one. Each decision is made within the context of the whole applicant pool and the number of places available in our incoming class.

Applicants for admission are expected to complete a minimum of 16 units of college-preparatory coursework as follows:

  • Four units of English.
  • Three units of mathematics (including Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II).
  • Two units of the same foreign language.
  • Two units of a laboratory science.
  • Two units of social sciences.
  • Three additional units in any of the subject areas above.

Students are recognized in the admissions process for pursuing a challenging curriculum beyond the minimum required, for example:

  • Mathematics beyond Algebra II.
  • Laboratory science beyond chemistry.
  • A third or fourth year of a foreign language.
  • Advanced Placement courses.
  • Honors courses.

Our strongest candidates for admission possess a 3.2 or higher cumulative high school GPA on an un-weighted, 4.0 scale, a challenging course sequence (particularly in the junior and senior years), and a well-rounded extra-curricular resume. Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required, but, if a student chooses to submit those scores, the scores will be considered in the admissions process.

Transfer Admission Standards

We review each application individually. However, when considering an applicant for transfer admission, strong candidates for admission generally meet the following criteria:

  • A sustained, rigorous academic curriculum with an overall “B” average.
  • A demonstrated interest in intended major by displaying academic success in the courses taken.

If you have attended more than one regionally accredited college or university, the grade point average from all schools will be considered.

Specific Admissions Requirements by College/School

In addition to our general transfer admission standards, certain programs have their own specific standards for admission. These programs include:

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Jurisprudence: Completion of 24 college-level credits and 3.0 GPA

College of Science and Mathematics

  • Biology: 2.5 GPA
  • Computer Science: 3.0 GPA
  • Data Sciences: 3.0 GPA
  • Marine Biology and Coastal Science: 2.5 GPA
  • Molecular Biology: 2.5 GPA

School of Business

  • Accounting: 3.0 GPA AND the completion of at least 12 college level credits. Transfer students with a GPA of 2.8 or above who have either completed their associates degree, or are expected to complete their associates degree, before matriculating.
  • Business Administration (all concentrations): 3.0 cumulative GPA AND the completion of at least 12 college level credits. Transfer students with a GPA of 2.8 or above who have either completed their associates degree, or are expected to complete their associates degree, before matriculating.

College of the Arts

  • Musical Theatre – fall admission only
  • Theatre Acting – fall admission only

Please Note: All other College of the Arts programs (with the exception of Fashion Studies, Theatre Studies and Visual Arts) require an interview, audition or portfolio review. Musical Theatre and Theatre Acting are for fall admission only. For more information, visit the student services portion of the College of the Arts webpage.

Links to College of the Arts Admission Guidelines and Audition/Interview/Portfolio Review dates can be found here: Admission to the College of the Arts

School of Nursing

  • RN/BSN Only: Qualified applicants should have a current New Jersey RN license or pass the NCLEX examination within six months of matriculation into the RN/BSN program.