International Visiting Scholars

Students sitting outside on the grass and under a tree. They are sitting in a circle

The Office of International Academic Initiatives welcomes international visiting scholars and guests. We are dedicated to fostering global collaboration by supporting international research partnerships, scholarly exchange, and faculty mobility across campus. Through our International Visiting Scholar program, international scholars can affiliate with Montclair State University and pursue their research in our vibrant academic community. 

Montclair departments seeking to hire international scholars in full-time positions should not use the visiting scholar process, but instead, should work with Human Resources for guidance on employment and visa processes. 

Montclair faculty wishing to host a visiting scholar can begin the request process by completing the Academic and Export Control Application.

Apply to Be a Visiting Scholar

If you are interested in becoming an international visiting scholar please send a letter of introduction, your CV and a brief research proposal to the relevant department chairperson for review. If you are matched, the department/professor will submit the application on your behalf. 

If you have a general question about becoming a visiting scholar, please email International Academic Initiatives at international-academic@montclair.edu.

International Visiting Scholar Information

Visiting scholars with a PhD or PhD candidates with teaching or research appointments at a university are eligible to apply for residency at Montclair State University. Scholars without a PhD but who are otherwise appropriately qualified may apply for review. 

Visiting scholars must be matched with a Montclair faculty host for the duration of their affiliation. 

Priority will be given to:

  • Fully funded scholars, especially Fulbright-funded scholars or scholars funded by the home country or institution (Fulbright scholars will have their visa applications executed and reviewed by the Institute for International Education).
  • Scholars who are at an institution that has an institutional or exchange agreement with Montclair State University.
  • Scholars who either have a professional connection to a Montclair faculty member or who are renowned in the profession or known in the field.
  • Scholars with specialization and ability to generate co-authored papers with Montclair faculty.

Visiting scholars will be required to have a J-1 visa prior to their arrival on campus. The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa classification was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. 

J-1 Visas are issued by the U.S. Department of State under the auspices of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. Please visit the Office of Global Engagement for J-1 Visiting Scholar Categories. 

The Office of Global Engagement will assist visiting scholars with the sponsorship paperwork required to apply for a J-1 visa.

Montclair State University and the U.S. Department of State require all visiting scholars to demonstrate English language proficiency. 

Applicants will automatically be considered proficient in English if any of the following applies: 

  • Applicant’s native language is English
  • Applicant completed a degree at an English-speaking university (copy of degree required)
  • Applicant is a teacher of English with an earned BA or MA in English 

All other applicants must complete an English-language proficiency confirmation meeting with the identified Montclair staff member or must provide one of the following documentations to qualify for the J-1 visa: 

  • TOEFL score 70 iBT
  • IELTS score 6.0
  • English3 J1English Interview, 3.0
  • Duolingo score 95
  • Pearson PTE-A score 48
  • ITEP score 3.7
  • Language certificate demonstrating B2 level or higher based on the European Framework 

Departments must also conduct a phone or online interview with the scholar to determine suitability to research or teach at Montclair. 

The above scores represent the minimum to allow consideration of the scholar application.

Montclair offers no long-term housing for visiting scholars. It is the visiting scholar’s responsibility to find off campus accommodation with the assistance of the faculty host. Scholars may also access the University’s Off-Campus Housing site. 

If the visiting scholar’s stay is sufficiently brief, and there is availability, scholars may be able to reserve a room at the International Guest House, at 20 Normal Avenue, Montclair, N.J. For more information, see the International Guest House brochure or email international-academic@montclair.edu. 

The Office of International Academic Initiatives is ready to support faculty hosts to integrate their scholars with the campus community. We will co-host and promote events in which your scholar participates and try to connect your visiting scholar with other services and/or with faculty in other disciplines where appropriate. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss ways our office can support you.

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