Eligibility for Non-degree and Pre-Decision Status
Non-Degree Options
General Non-Degree and Professional Non-Degree are the two Non-Degree classifications for students just seeking to take courses without fully matriculating. Applicants must submit the online application and an official transcript from the school where they received their highest degree.
Please Note: All non-degree students who hold a bachelor’s degree will be assessed graduate fees regardless of the level of the courses being taken. Also, non-degree and pre-decision students are not eligible for financial aid.
Eligibility for Non-degree and Pre-Decision Status
Not Eligible for Non-Degree or Pre-Decision Status
The following programs DO NOT allow Non-Degree or Pre-Decision for the Spring 2013 semester:
- All Doctoral Programs
- Accounting – MS and Certificate
- Advanced Counseling Certificate
- Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC)-Certificate
- Clinical Psychology-MA-All concentrations
- Communication Sciences and Disorders, Speech Language Pathology-MA
- Counseling - MA
- Director of School Counseling Services - Certification
- Educational Leadership - MA
- English -MA
- Finance - Certificate
- Industrial and Organizational Psychology – MA
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- International Business - Certificate
- Management - Certificate
- Management Information Systems - Certificate
- Marketing - Certificate
- Principal - Certification
- Psychology - MA
- School Counseling - Certification
- School Psychologist - Certification
- Studio Art - MFA
- Substance Awareness Coordinator (SAC) - Certification
- Supervisor - Certification
- Urban Teachers' Residency Program
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Course or Registration Restrictions (Spring 2013)
The following programs have limited class availability for Non-Degree and Pre-Decision students. Please read the restrictions carefully.
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Post BA Content Area
MAT Content Area
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Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Advising recommended from Ms. Susan Hagen (hagens@mail.montclair.edu or 973-655-6908). Pre-Decision students may take: CURR/EDFD 505 and CURR 518 (co-requisites) AND ELRS 580 OR PSYC 560. Students may take 4-7 credits. |
| MAT Content + TSD |
Minimum 3.0 GPA requirement. Advising recommended from Ms. Susan Hagen (hagens@mail.montclair.edu or 973-655-6908). Pre-Decision students may take: SPED 579 AND FCST 515 OR ELRS 580 OR PSYC 560. Students may take 3-6 credits. |
| MAT in Music |
MAT (Music) Students are restricted to the MAT courses (Content + TED) and/or any of the following:
Instrumental Techniques courses (restricted to a maximum of 2 instrument classes): MUED 105 Strings I; MUED 106; Strings II, MUED 206: Woodwinds I; MUED 208 Woodwinds II; MUED 205 Brass I; MUED 207 Brass II; and, MUED 306 Percussion
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| MAT Early Childhood (P-3) |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECEL 501 or READ 500 or ECEL 518 or ECSE 508 |
| MAT Early Childhood (P-3)+ TSD |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECEL 501 or READ 500 or ECSE 502 or ECSE 508 |
| MAT Elementary (K-5) |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECEL 501 or READ 500 or ECEL 518 or ECSE 508 |
| MAT Elementary (K-5) +TSD |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECEL 501 or READ 500 or ECSE 502 or ECSE 508 |
| MED Special Education (K5/K8 Certification) |
No Non-Degree students permitted (only pre-decision students with incomplete applications to the MED); Pre-Decision students with K-5 or K-8 general education certification may take ECSE 502, ECSE 508, or ECEL 575. (READ 500 and READ 501 not recommended because student may have completed requirement as undergrad.) |
| MED Special Education (Content Certification) |
No Non-Degree students permitted (only pre-decision students with incomplete applications to the MED); Pre-Decision students with Subject Area certification may take SPED 579 and SPED 588 only if they are also taking SPED 579 (READ 500 and READ 501 not recommended because student may have completed requirement as undergraduate.) |
| MED IECE |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECSE 502 |
| Post-Bacc in Early Childhood |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECEL 501 or READ 500 or ECEL 518 |
| Post-Bacc in Elementary |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECEL 501 or READ 500 or ECEL 518 |
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TSD Certification (K5/K8 Certification)
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No Non-Degree students permitted (only pre-decision applicants with incomplete applications to the TSD cert); Pre-Decision students with K-5 or K-8 general education certification - ECSE 502 or ECSE 508 (READ 500 and READ 501 not recommended because student may have completed requirement as undergraduate.) |
| TSD Certification (Content Certification) |
No Non-Degree students permitted (only pre-decision applicants with incomplete applications to the TSD cert); Pre-Decision students with Subject Area certification - SPED 579 and SPED 588 only if they are also taking SPED 579 (READ 500 and READ 501 not recommended because student may have completed requirement as undergraduate.) |
| TSD Certification (P3) |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take ECSE 502 or ECSE 508 |
| Biology MS (BIOL) |
Pre-decision students permitted only with an undergraduate degree in a life science with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students may take BIOL 547 and/or BIOL 570. |
| Biology MS, concentration Ecology/Evolution (BIEE) |
Pre-decision students permitted only with an undergraduate degree in a life science with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students may take BIOL 570 and/or BIOL 580. |
| Biology MS, concentration Physiology (BIPH) |
Pre-decision students permitted only with an undergraduate degree in a life science with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students may take BIOL 520 and/or BIOL 540. |
| Biology MS, concentration Science Education (BISE) |
Pre-decision students permitted only with an undergraduate degree in a life science with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students may take BIOL 547 and/or BIOL 570. |
| Molecular Biology MS (MOBI) |
Pre-decision students permitted only with an undergraduate degree in a life science with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students may take BIOL 547 and/or BIOL 556. |
| Master in Public Health |
No Non-Degree students permitted (only pre-decision students with incomplete applications to the MPH); Pre-Decision students permitted only with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher. Must obtain a registration permit through Ann Schurman, Department Administrator (973-655-7681). The MPH program permits Pre-Decision students to take only one class in a given semester instead of two. As a new and growing program, most seats are reserved for students in the program, so only one course will be available to Pre-Decision students.
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| New Literacies Certificate |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take MEDI 503 or MEDI 506 or READ 525-01. |
| Nutrition and Food Science, MS |
Pre-Decision students permitted only with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher. Pre-Decision and Non-Degree students may take NUFD 501 and/ or NUFD 595. This program allows students to take 7 credits as a Pre-Decision student. |
| Reading, MA |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take READ 500, READ 501 or READ 503. |
| Reading Specialist Certification |
Pre-Decision/Non-Degree students may take READ 500, READ 501 or READ 503. |
Permission Required Prior to Processing (Spring 2013)
These programs require that you contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for advisement. You will need to have their permission to register for any class.
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PROGRAM
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GRADUATE PROGRAM COORDINATOR
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Business Administration, MBA
(No Non-Degree students permitted)
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Pre-Decision students permitted only with a 3.0 undergraduate GPA or higher. Must contact Ms. Jonida Dervishi, MBA Coordinator (973-655-4051) for advising and registration permits. Weekend MBA applicants must submit a resume and may be approved for up to 9 credits. |
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Computer Science, MS
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Dr. Katherine Herbert: 973-655-5398
herbertk@mail.montclair.edu
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Exercise Science and Physical Education, MA
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Dr. Michele Fisher: 973-655-7120
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Geoscience, MS
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Pre-Decision students permitted only with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Must contact Dr. Stefanie Brachfeld, M.S. Coordinator (973-655-5129) for advising and registration permits.
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Inclusive Early Childhood Education, MED
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Dr. Elizabeth J. Erwin: 973-655-5407
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Learning Disabilities, MEd and LDTC
(No Non-degree Students Permitted)
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Dr. David Schwarzer: 973-655-5187
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Nutrition and Exercise Science, certificate
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Michele Fisher: 973-655-7120
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Physical Education, post-bacc cert
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Dr. Carolyn Masterson: 973-655-5240
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General Non-Degree
Students under this status are eligible to take up to two courses(six credits). Please note that not all programs allow non-degree students to enroll in their courses (see “eligibility” above). Contact the Graduate School 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 the Graduate Program Coordinator's approval. Admission to this status requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in the applicant's bachelor's degree program and proof of degree conferred.
Professional Non-Degree
This status is appropriate 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, seeking continuing professional credits
- Applying for certification through the State of New Jersey or an outside agency, or
- Taking undergraduate courses to prepare for a graduate degree program.
This status allows students to take as many classes as they would like, but they must maintain a continuous matriculation in order to take classes from semester to semester. However, students who later decide to apply and are admitted to a graduate program may only transfer a maximum of six credits (if applicable to the program) into a graduate degree program with Graduate Program Coordinator's approval, regardless of the number of credits taken. Admission to this status requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in the applicant's bachelor's degree program and proof of degree conferred.
Pre-Decision
Pre-Decision is an option for applicants who wish to attend in the upcoming semester, but whose degree-application to Montclair State University remains incomplete as the start of the semester approaches. Pre-Decision is a non-degree status which allows applicants to take up to two courses (six credits) while they complete their application requirements. A separate application is not required and therefore, we do not require an additional application fee.
Restrictions
- A maximum of 6 graduate credits may be taken and, if applicable, credited toward your program after admission.
- You may register for courses on a space-available basis only; students already admitted to these programs are given priority.
- Prerequisite requirements must have been met. Refer to the course descriptions at our website: www.montclair.edu.
- This status lasts for one semester only. You must complete the application process during that time and be offered admission to be able to register for subsequent terms.
- Financial aid is NOT available for students in this status.
- Authorization to register as a Pre-Decision does not guarantee admission to the program for which you applied; once your application is completed the standard criteria will be applied in making the admission decision.
- High-level performance in pre-decision classes does not guarantee admission to your program of interest.
- This status is not available to international applicants seeking F-1 visas.
Minimum Requirements
To be considered for Pre-Decision status, you must submit the following:
*Official transcripts bear the raised seal of the institution and must be in a sealed envelope with the registrar signature or seal. For some programs a higher GPA is required. Please see Program Restrictions below.
Applicants who did not receive an undergraduate or graduate degree from a U.S. accredited college or university must also:
- Submit the required course-by-course transcript evaluation, evaluated by a NACES member (www.naces.org)
- 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 two years old)
- Also, as indicated above, applicants holding or seeking F-1 (student) visas are not eligible for this status.
Visiting Non-Degree
This status applies to applicants who are graduate students in good standing at another institution who wish to take courses at Montclair State University. 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.
Unemployment Tuition Waiver
Pre-Qualification to Apply for the Unemployment Tuition Waiver Program
Students interested in studying at Montclair State University under the Unemployment Tuition Waiver are allowed to do so as a non-degree seeking student only. However, they must meet the same academic standards required of the Professional Non-Degree options and may only take classes under programs that allow Non-Degree students. Interested applicants should fill out the regular web application, selecting either Professional Non-Degree or General Non-Degree status along with the Unemployment Tuition Waiver option.
Deadlines and Eligibility Requirements
Please note the following:
- Academic approval is granted for a single semester only. You must complete this process for each subsequent semester you wish to be considered for the Unemployment Tuition Waiver Program.
- Pre-qualification to study under the Unemployment Tuition Waiver permits you to enroll in a course(s) as a non-degree seeking student if you are approved to receive the tuition waiver. It does not imply or guarantee acceptance into a degree-seeking program, which must be applied for separately after you are finished with your studies under the Unemployment Tuition Waiver program.
- This application grants pre-qualification to study at the University in general. Additional authorization from the Tuition Waiver Program Coordinator will be required to receive the tuition waiver.
- Failure to provide full and accurate information on this form may result in a significant delay or inability to process your application.
- A maximum of 12 credits taken under a non-degree status such as the Unemployment Tuition Waiver program may be applied toward the degree should a student choose to matriculate into a degree-seeking program.