Admission to graduate study at The College of New Jersey is selective and competitive. Admission decisions are based generally on evidence of achievement in appropriate undergraduate studies, performance on nationally standardized tests, strength of recommendations, and other materials submitted with the application. Standards are applied rigorously but not mechanically, as the purpose is to identify applicants who show promise of benefiting from advanced studies and making significant contributions to the College community and their chosen professions.
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Admission Procedures
Those who wish to apply should review the Apply page, which provides an overview of application requirements, deadlines, supplemental documents, and other useful information.
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Admission Categories
Matriculation
Most students entering The College of New Jersey at the graduate level are candidates for a degree or certification program. Program options and requirements are outlined throughout this website and in the Graduate Bulletin. Students who are applying for admission into a specific degree or certificate program are applying for matriculation.
Individuals applying for matriculation are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent preparation from a foreign college or university. Applicants should have a 2.75 cumulative average or a 3.0 in the major at the undergraduate level, although some programs may have a higher requirement; must submit letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate their academic performance, relevant work experience, and/or ability to pursue graduate studies; must submit an essay calling for a personal evaluation of their strengths and weaknesses as prospective graduate students; and must provide scores from the general standardized test appropriate to the discipline. Some programs require scores from specialized sections of standardized tests; other programs require interviews or auditions (see program requirements). Graduate program candidates are approved for admission by the program admissions committee and endorsed by the dean. Notification of a decision will occur in writing.
Non-Matriculation
Qualified applicants who wish to pursue graduate studies for professional renewal or personal growth may apply for non-matriculation.* Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a 2.75 cumulative average or 3.0 in the major from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or proof of equivalent preparation from a foreign university or college. Admissions are competitive, and decisions are made by program admissions committees. Notification of a decision will occur in writing. A non-matriculant wishing to matriculate into a program must submit a separate application and all documentation necessary for matriculation according to the appropriate deadlines. Subsequent admission as a matriculant is not guaranteed.
Once accepted, a non-matriculant may enroll in graduate classes open to them if they meet the prerequisites and if space is available. Permission from the graduate coordinator and/or the instructor teaching the course may be required to register for a particular course. Occasionally, a graduate student wishes to enroll in an undergraduate course. On such occasions, the graduate tuition rate would still apply.
A non-matriculant may apply for admission as a matriculant in a graduate degree or certificate program; however, matriculation is not guaranteed. A non-matriculant has one year from the time of initial enrollment to matriculate into a degree program in order to utilize up to six credits taken prior to matriculation toward that degree or program. Failure to matriculate within this timeframe will negate the use of these credits toward a degree or program at TCNJ.
A non-matriculant is not eligible for need-based or federal financial aid.
*Non-matriculation is not available to students intending to apply for matriculation into the RTC program. Students intending to study at one of TCNJ’s global sites and are not ready to apply for matriculation into a specific program may contact the Global Office at gordonm@tcnj.edu regarding attendance as a visiting student.