Montclair State University

Montclair State University offers students the ability to achieve educational success with a selection of over 300 majors, minors, and certification programs. Founded in 1908, Montclair State University is steeped in history and has grown to earn the title “New Jersey’s best public university.” The school was first established as, The New Jersey State Normal School at Montclair, in response to a high demand for educators.

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In 1927, the University focused its efforts on educating school teachers with a four-year bachelor’s of arts program, and later a Master’s program. After increasing personnel and expanding curriculum, the school experienced a rapid growth in enrollment. In order to accommodate the enrollment growth, the school expanded and became, Montclair State College in 1958 and was a fully functional institution by 1966. After years of excelling in offering a wide variety of academic programs, Montclair State became an accredited university in 1994.

Montclair State University Accreditation Details

Montclair State University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in Philadelphia, PA. All educational programs earning a degree or a certificate are approved by the Secretary of Higher Education in the State of New Jersey. Programs requiring a state certification are approved by the New Jersey Department of Education after meeting all the state requirements.

All University programs fall under the same accreditation, but some specific areas of study hold their own accreditation. The University has a CACREP discipline specific accreditation for counseling and psychology students pursing a degree in a masters or doctorate program.

Montclair State University Application Requirements

Each application to Montclair State University is individually reviewed against a pool of applications. The admissions process is competitive and there are a number of things that are taken into consideration in the review process. All applicants are expected to complete the following pre-college course work:

• Four units of English
• Three units of Math
• Two units of a Foreign Language
• Two units of a Laboratory Science
• Two units of a Social Science
• Three additional units in any subject area

In addition to this required work, students are recognized to pursue a challenging course load that extends beyond this requirement. This includes higher level coursework, such as Algebra and Chemistry. Students are encouraged to keep this in mind when enrolling in courses.

When reviewing applications, Montclair State University takes many factors into consideration. A candidate is considered well qualified with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale and a variety of extracurricular activities. Submitting SAT scores is not required, but they will be considered if you choose to include them in your application. Letters of recommendation and admissions essays are also strongly encouraged.

Transfer students are reviewed individually to ensure strong candidates are accepted for admission. Students applying for transfer should demonstrate academic success in his or her intended major and have an overall B average.

Montclair State University Tuition and Financial Aid

With the rise in education costs, Montclair State University has worked tirelessly to remain affordable for all students. The financial aid department offers a variety of options including loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study opportunities. Financial assistance is available from federal, state, and institutional agencies.

Many different scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available for need-based students who are focusing on specific program areas. Individuals who are focusing on a master in psychology or counseling with a concentration in addiction counseling are eligible for an annual Addiction Workforce Promotion Scholarship.

Depending on your individual course load and whether you live on or off campus college costs can vary. The average tuition is $12,112, with an additional $14,094 added for students who stay on campus.

Pursuing a Psychology and Counseling Degree at Montclair State University

Montclair State University offers a program for students seeking a degree in counseling. The graduate program teaches the state and licensing certification necessary to prepare students to work in a variety of community facilities and schools. The Montclair State University counseling program is a CACREP-accredited clinical program taught by full-time faculty members.

The Masters counseling program seeks to assist graduate students in the following objectives:

• Exhibit the ability to understand the principals, theories, and concepts of counseling.
• Learn how to effectively engage with colleagues, clients, students, and administrators.
• Analyze behavior within a group environment.
• Interpret social and psychological factors and measure results
• Apply learned theories and principles and relate them to the group practices and dynamics in a professional practice.
• Assess professional and personal abilities and limitations of others.
• Learn how to write research proposals, reports, and case studies effectively.
The graduate program at Montclair University offers the following advantages:
• Face to face, hybrid, and Saturday classes for working students
• State of the art counseling labs that allow students to record and review practice counseling sessions
• Faculty members active within the American Counseling Association
• A theory to practice model of instruction

Within the Montclair State CACREP-accredited counseling program, there are three specific counseling programs: Clinical Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and Student Affairs Counseling.

Current Enrollment

• Clinical Mental Health Program – 125 Students
• School Counseling Program – 154 Students
• Student Affairs and Higher Education – 37 Students

Montclair University offers a Ph.D. program designed to prepare counselors to continue work in a college setting, as an advanced clinician, or to supervise in a mental health clinic. A doctorate offers a variety of new opportunities.

The doctorate program at Montclair University provides the following advantages:

• The opportunity to increase expertise and tailor a specific interest, while also learning and engaging in current research.
• A diverse faculty, student body, and a commitment to social justices and advocacy. Access to community engagement within the communities.
• Mentoring and advising in from researchers in the counseling profession.
The doctorate program at Montclair University includes higher education, marriage, and family counseling, mental health counseling, and several other career specific focuses.

Students enrolled in the counseling programs at Montclair University are trained to become competent, counselors who can work in multi-cultural work settings. Individuals who can work in diverse work settings including schools, agencies, and substance abuse facilities will more effectively help clients. The counseling program focuses on developing these skills and preparing students to establishing positive client relationships. At program completion, graduates of the Montclair State University counseling program will function efficiently as a psychology professional.