The Department of Teaching and Learning has compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions by prospective students for the online certificate in Virtual Learning. If you are unable to find the answer to your question(s) please contact Montclair State Online at online@montclair.edu.
- Am I able to register for one of these courses to fulfill a requirement for another program? Yes, students are able to register for one course out of the two-course program.
- Will I still get the certificate if I only take one of the courses? No, you only get the certificate if you complete the two-course sequence.
- Do I get an actual piece of paper (certificate) upon completion of the program? All certificate programs of study receive a formal certificate of completion, which lists the program. To receive the certificate, you must file a graduation application via NEST for the appropriate graduation date.
- Is this program fully online? Yes, you never have to set foot on campus.
- What is the cost of the program? The current cost is $515 per credit for the 2021-2022 school year. The university posts the tuition for the upcoming school year during the summer, typically in July.
- Does living out of state affect my tuition rate? No, not for the Online Program. In-state and out-of-state students are charged the same tuition.
- How are the courses scheduled? Two cohorts per academic year are scheduled with starts available during Summer Sessions and Winter Session. Courses are typically offered in 4, 5 or 8-week sessions.
- If I can’t take the second course right away, can I register for it at a later date? Yes.
- What if I don’t have three full-time years of teaching experience – can I still apply? We strongly encourage applicants to obtain three years of teaching experience to better comprehend the course content and evaluate issues through the lens of an experienced educator. That said, exceptional applicants with less than three years of experience will be considered for admission, such as paraprofessionals who work closely with students with disabilities or professionals who serve students with disabilities in other roles such as administrators, LDT-Cs, behaviorists, and other related service personnel.
- If my experience is from another state, can I apply? Yes. We welcome out-of-state students to our program.
- When will I hear back about my application? Our university makes decisions on applications in a timely manner. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Applicants usually receive a decision within a few weeks of completing the online application.