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High School Students Earn College Credits at Montclair State

Early College Program creates path to college success

Posted in: Education

Two female Montclair State University students having conversation on campus

Montclair State University’s Early College Program gives academically ambitious high school students the opportunity to complement their study – and earn transferable college credits.

“This program can create an early path to collegiate success,” says Assistant Director for Early College Programs Gregory Nasser. “The college process is challenging. We want to give high school students the freedom to pursue and explore their academic interests while providing them with guidance and advice.”

Students enrolling in the fall, spring or summer can choose from the University’s catalog of undergraduate 100- and 200-level courses, ranging from Psychology and Biology to Journalism and Jazz – and more. “Our Early College Program students can look to explore, engage and thrive in a college setting as early as rising high school sophomores,” Nasser says. “The credits they earn – which are completely transferable – along with the opportunity to experience the rigors and expectations of college-level classes will give them a strong start toward future academic endeavors.”

An innovative dual enrollment partnership with Clifton High School lets its students who meet the necessary requirements come to the University to earn college credits and fulfill high school requirements by taking courses throughout the year. “Montclair State wants high school students to succeed, so we are continuing to work to expand these partnerships,” Nasser says.

High-achieving high school students may also elect to enroll in dynamic Early College summer programs. Participants can earn three college credits while taking their intermediate Italian language skills to the next level during the three-week Italian Immersion Summer Program. This summer, for the first time, students can take advantage of a residential option that allows them to experience campus life at its fullest.

The inaugural Model United Nations Summer Academy is an intensive, weeklong summer in-residence program offering students the opportunity to earn three fully transferable college credits while acquiring public speaking, research and negotiating skills, and exploring topics such as international security and human rights.

Nasser, along with other members of the undergraduate admissions staff and various faculty members are always readily available to answer any questions and concerns Early College Program students might have.

While Montclair State’s Early College Program prepares students for success at any college, program participants, according to Nasser, also have the advantage of becoming familiar with the University itself. “These students will learn, grow and lay down a foundation of coursework for their degree completion should they decide to enroll here later on,” he says. “While in the program, they can build relationships with faculty, use campus resources and gain a better understanding of all that our programs and degrees can offer.”

Learn more about the Early College Program: https://www.montclair.edu/admissions/apply-and-check-status/how-to-apply/early-college-program/

Learn more about the Italian Immersion Summer Program: https://www.montclair.edu/inserra-chair/opportunities-for-students/summer-course/2019-summer-italian-intensive-course-for-college-credit/

Learn more about the Model United Nations Summer Academy: https://www.montclair.edu/summer/model-un-schedule/