Learning Communities

Are you wondering if you'll get to know anyone in your classes during your first semester? Do you like studying with other people? Do you want to meet people with the same interests as you? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, we've got something just for you....Learning Communities.

Why does Montclair State University have Learning Communities?

Adjusting to the demands of your courses, making new friends, and finding your niche at college can be challenging and overwhelming. Learning Communities make it easier for first-year students to form connections with classmates and faculty. Students who have participated in a Learning Community report that it helped them to be more successful in their classes, eased their transition to MSU, and helped them to form friendships.

"I really enjoyed being in the Learning Community. The people that I am in it with have become friends and that has helped me to do better in school because we are helping each other out in the four classes that we have together."*

What is a Learning Community?

A Learning Community is a cluster of 3 - 4 courses that a group of 10-25 first-year students take together. These courses include a required College Writing course and the New Student Seminar course which emphasizes the necessary academic and social skills in making the transition from high school to college.

All the courses in a Learning Community satisfy General Education or Major requirements at Montclair State University. Full-time students usually register for 1-2 additional courses at Orientation.

"It is a great way to make friends and have people you know in your classes to work with, study with, or ask questions."*

Who is Eligible for a Learning Community?

Nearly every first-year student is eligible for a Learning Community. Students in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences or students who have not yet declared a major participate in Learning Communities made up of General Education courses. Students in the School of Business, College of Education, College of Science and Math and School of the Arts take part in Learning Communities specific to their majors.

"I recommend it to all incoming freshmen."*

What Are the Advantages of Enrolling in the Learning Communities?

Students who participated in Learning Communities were more likely to earn good grades and complete all of their classes in comparison to students who did not participate.**

Students who participated reported that Learning Communities helped them to see connections between their classes, make friends with their peers, and adjust more quickly to Montclair State University.**

*Quotes taken from a survey of Fall 2005 Learning Community participants

**According to an analysis of Fall 2005 Learning Community participants