Montclair State University College Portrait
Montclair State University1 Normal Av. Montclair, NJ 07043
973-655-4000
Montclair State University
Founded in 1908, Montclair State University is New Jersey’s second largest university. It offers all the advantages of a large university—a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs through the doctoral level, and a diverse faculty and student body—combined with the individual attention of a small college. Through its six colleges and schools, the University offers close to 300 majors, minors, concentrations, and certificate programs, while remaining accessible and affordable. Recognized as offering one of the best educations in New Jersey and the region, Montclair State provides an educational environment with an extensive range of highly-regarded learning and cultural opportunities.
Living in the Red Hawks Community
The Red Hawks Community
Located just 14 miles from New York City on a beautiful 246-acre campus in suburban Montclair, NJ, Montclair State University with a diverse student population of more than 18,000, has an energy that inspires and motivates students both inside and outside the classroom. Exciting academic programs and a first-rate faculty combine with a variety of events and on-campus resources including a world-class performance theater, art galleries, cyber café, athletic events, a new recreation center, and easy access into NYC, to give students an abundance of options right at their fingertips. For students interested in intercollegiate sports, the University’s 17 NCAA Division III sports teams provide one of the best athletic training programs in the state.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 18,402 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 14,383 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 8,672 | 60% |
| Men | 5,711 | 40% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 20 | <1% |
| Asian | 803 | 6% |
| African American / Black | 1,288 | 9% |
| Hispanic | 2,945 | 20% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 13 | <1% |
| White | 7,298 | 51% |
| Two or More Races | 167 | 1% |
| International | 471 | 3% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 1,378 | 10% |
| Where do MSU undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| NJ | 96% |
| Other US States & Territories | 2% |
| Other Countries | 2% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are MSU undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 23 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 16% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | SAT |
|---|---|
| Math | 470 - 560 |
| Critical Reading | 450 - 540 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 43% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 85% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 45% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.05 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 97% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $25,159
Out-of-State & Other Costs
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The cost to attend Montclair State University varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 25% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $8,909. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 46% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $3,398. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2009-2010 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
MSU Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 17 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 68% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 98% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 569 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 49% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 26% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 93% |
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Campus-based Housing
54% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
26% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
Serving the entire University community, the Montclair State University Police Department is an autonomous, fully certified and operational law enforcement agency. Staffed by 30 full-time police officers, the department is charged with the enforcement of all state and local laws, as well as university rules and regulations. The department also implements programs and services designed to promote public safety, crime prevention and community awareness.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Large four-year, primarily residential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, selective, higher transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Arts & sciences plus professions, high graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Single doctoral (education)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
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Student Activities and Involvement at MSU
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 91% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 52% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 15% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 78% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 13% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 50% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 48% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 9% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 98% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 93% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 60% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 61% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 94% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 46% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 84% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 95% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 71% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 63% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 85% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 65% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 76% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 81% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 78% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at Montclair State University in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 2,784 |
| Master's | 869 |
| Doctoral | 10 |
| Total | 3,663 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | 19% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences, General | 13% |
| Psychology, General | 9% |
| English Language and Literature, General | 6% |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 5% |
| Links to degree programs at Montclair State University |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 81% four-year success and progress rate means that 81% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 1,737 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 967 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 81%
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Student Learning at Montclair State University
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
Procedures for the assessment of student learning in all majors have been
developed and promulgated University-wide. As might be expected, however,
the assessment of learning in the major is most highly developed and
routinized in those degree programs that are nationally accredited.
Consequently, while comprehensive, program-level assessment may be most
highly advanced in Business, Teacher Education, Computing Sciences,
Chemistry, Dance, Theater, and Music, it is practiced across-the-curriculum.
Assessments include a variety of direct measures of student learning,
including portfolios; standardized tests; internship evaluations; student,
alumni, and employer surveys; and various other measures.
The University's General Education curriculum, which is driven by clearly
enunciated learning goals, is assessed using nationally-normed, standardized
tests. During AY2008-09, the achievement of important General Education
learning goals was evaluated using ETS' Measure of Academic Proficiency and
Progress (MAPP) test. This instrument was used to assess three core skill
areas: critical thinking, reading, and writing. Results were shared with
Colleges and Schools, and faculty are using them to "close-the-loop" by
analyzing how these findings might best improve curriculum and pedagogy.
During AY2010-11, the University assessed student learning in its general education program by using the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). This instrument was administered to freshmen in the fall, and graduating seniors in the spring, in hopes of quantifying the "value-added" by Montclair's general education curriculum. Results are expected in late summer, 2011, and they will be analyzed by the University’s General Education Committee to determine whether learning outcome goals are being met.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
This university is in the process of collecting and analyzing learning outcomes test results.