Certificate in General Education Studies Application - 2027

Montclair’s Certificate in General Education Studies (CGES) gives students with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to take college courses, build career skills, and participate in campus life.

As part of Montclair’s initiative for inclusive higher education, this two-year, non-degree program offers a supportive environment where you’ll learn alongside peers in both specialized and inclusive academic classes. You’ll explore subjects that interest you, develop academic and workplace skills, and gain independence through real-world experiences.

CGES students have access to Montclair’s full range of resources — from career services and student clubs to campus events and recreational activities. The program also includes internships and community-based learning to help you prepare for meaningful employment.

If you’re ready to expand your education, explore your interests, and be part of a vibrant college community, Montclair’s Certificate in General Education Studies can help you make it happen.

Personal Information

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Preferred First Name for display in University Systems*

*Please note: A Preferred First Name is NOT a nickname. Please read the University's Preferred Name policy above.

Birthdate

Email Address

Mobile Phone Number* (By providing your mobile phone you agree Montclair State University may occasionally send you text messages about your application.)

Sex

Gender Identity (Optional)

Addresses

Perm Add Type (Hidden)

Permanent Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

Mailing Add Type (Hidden)

Mailing Address

Same as Permanent Address

Country

Street

City

Region

Postal Code

NJ FLAG 1

NJ FLAG 2

Residents of New Jersey may qualify for in-state tuition if they meet certain residency requirements.

Have you lived in NJ for 12 months or more?

Based on how you answered this question, you will be considered as an out of state student for tuition purposes. Please review this question again if you think that this determination is in error.

Citizenship

*The below questions are mandatory to determine your Application Type.

Primary Citizenship

Dual Citizenship

U.S. Permanent Resident

Are you currently in the US?

What is your current Visa Type? If you are unsure, please select "Other Visa Type."

Do you intend to apply for an F-1 or J-1 to study at Montclair State University?

Please specify if you would like to apply for an F1 or J1?

What visa type do you plan to use to study at Montclair State University?

Social Security Number

*While Optional - Can be used for University ID claiming verification and/or Financial Aid for Degree-Seeking Applicants.

Privacy Protection Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy.

Upon receiving the secure transmission of your Social Security Number, it is immediately encrypted. Only the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number are available in plaintext for identification and account matching purposes. Your Social Security Number is available for decryption only by those officials who oversee automated loading of personal information into student information systems, and only for that limited purpose.

Our databases are actively monitored and are firewalled to ensure the protection of your personal information, and we employ all industry-standard safeguards.

Race/Ethnicity

Colleges and universities are asked by many groups, including the federal government, accrediting associations, college guides, and newspapers, to describe the ethnic/racial backgrounds of their students and employees. In order to respond to these requests, we ask you to answer the following two questions. View Definitions

Definitions

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, Middle East, or North Africa.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Hispanic or Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southest Asia, or the Indian subcontinent including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), who maintains cultural identification though tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

Are you Hispanic or Latino?

Regardless of your answer to the prior question, please check one or more of the following groups in which you consider yourself to be a member:

American Indian or Alaska Native

Asian

Asian - Filipino

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander - Filipino

White

Academic History

Please make sure to click the school you are currently/have attended from the autosuggest list.

Current/Last School Attended

CEEB Hidden

Attended from:

Attended to:

Level*Hidden

Degree*Hidden

Please upload a copy of your high school transcript.

Optional: Upload additional academic information.

Transition Program

Transition Program (Attended/Attending between the ages of 18-21):
Have you attended a Transition Program?

Transition Program Name

Transition Program Start Date

Transition Program End Date

Transition Program City

Transition Program State

Recommendations

There is one required recommendation letter; a second letter is optional. Submit the name(s) and email address(es) of your recommender(s). They will receive an email with instructions to submit their letter directly to Montclair. Recommenders should be able to discuss your strengths and support needs. For example, a teacher, guidance counselor, employer, or coach. Your reference can not be a friend or family member.

Please provide two recommenders names

Recommender #1 Full Name *

Recommender #1 Email *

Recommender #1 Relation to Applicant *

Recommender #2 Full Name

Recommender #2 Email

Recommender #2 Relation to Applicant

Family and Guardianship Information

Guardianship:
Do you have a court-appointed legal guardian?

Legal Guardian Hidden

Legal Guardian: First Name

Legal Guardian: Last Name

Legal Guardian: Email

Legal Guardian: Phone Number

Add another legal guardian (Optional)

Yes

Legal Guardian 2 hidden

Legal Guardian (2): First Name - Optional

Legal Guardian (2): Last Name - Optional

Legal Guardian (2): Email - Optional

Legal Guardian (2): Phone Number - Optional

Relationship Type

Parent/Family Member First Name:

Parent/Family Member Last Name:

Parent/Family Member Email:

Parent/Family Member Phone Number:

Add another parent/family member?

Relationship Type

Parent/Family Member First Name:

Parent/Family Member Last Name:

Parent/Family Member Email:

Parent/Family Member Phone Number:

New Jersey State Disability Services

Are you enrolled in a DDD Medicaid Program Waiver Program through the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities?

DDD Support Coordinator Name

DDD Support Coordinator Email

Do you receive career services through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services [DVRS]?

VR Counselor Name

VR Counselor Email

Additional Services Received

Name of Service Provider

Service Provider Contact Information

Application Materials

Application Essay/Personal Statement

Please discuss your reasons for wanting to attend the Certificate in General Education Studies program at Montclair State University. Be sure to describe:

Your academic interests you may also wish to describe a school project you are proud of.
Your goals related to academics, campus life, and employment.
Your personal reasons for continuing your learning at college.

You may write, create a visual presentation, OR submit a video/audio format. Please choose only one format for the personal statement.

Content Guidelines: Please review the Certificate in General Education Studies curriculum and Montclair State University’s website to help you prepare.

Respond to all parts of the prompt using ONE of the following methods:

Essay: Written statements should be in complete sentences and no more than 500 words.
Visual products or presentations: May be submitted as high resolution photographs, no larger than 8.5 x 11. You may submit a web link to a shared photo or presentation web service.
Audio or video recordings: Should be under 10 minutes in length. Please submit by providing a web link to a shared file or published video or audio web service (e.g., youtube, vimeo, google drive shared file).

Extracurricular Activity Sheet/Resume

Upload document listing all extracurricular activities, jobs, internships, or more

Upload a document listing all extracurricular activities you have been involved with and the years participated. This may include social or recreational clubs, community or faith-based organizations, sports or arts activities, service or volunteer experiences, internships or work experiences, etc.

Weblink

Certification and Signature

Have your ever been convicted of a indictable offense? An indictable offense, also known as a felony in other states, is a crime that requires a prison sentence of at least one year after conviction.

Please explain your indictable offense conviction:

I verify that the information provided by me for admission to Montclair State University is complete and correct. I understand that the penalties for providing false information may include rescindment of offer of admission, suspension, or expulsion from the institution.

I understand that once the application and supporting materials are received by Montclair State University, they become the property of Montclair State University and will not be re-released to anyone.

I acknowledge that I have reviewed the information provided by Montclair State University as part of the New Jersey College Student and Parent Consumer Information Act.

Montclair State is required by Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 not to discriminate on the basis of sex or gender, and does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities. The requirement to not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in the operation of education programs and activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and 34 C.F.R. 106 may be referred to the University’s Deputy Title IX Coordinator (if related to students), or to the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Click here for more information.
Please acknowledge you have read this statement.

I consent to being contacted by Montclair State University and their representatives via email, phone, or text (including use of AI messages or an automatic dialing system) at the home or mobile phone number above. Standard text messaging and/or data rates may apply.

You must review and agree to all certification statements.

Applicant: In place of your signature, please use your full legal name.

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