Discovery Program Academic Advising

Four students sitting outside on a ledge with their laptops open chatting about school.

If you're exploring your academic options, you don't have to navigate the process alone. The Discovery Program is designed to help you explore majors with confidence while receiving personalized support every step of the way. Our academic advisors are here to provide guidance, answer your questions, and help you make sense of the many academic options available at Montclair.

Major exploration is flexible and individualized because every student's journey is different. Whether you're a current Discovery student, a transfer student adjusting to the University, or are considering a change in direction from your current major, our advisors can help you explore programs, connect your interests to potential majors, and develop a plan for moving forward. Through ongoing conversations and intentional support, you'll gain the tools and confidence needed to make informed decisions about choosing a major and discovering what's next.

Schedule an Appointment

Our Advisors are available to meet with you either in-person or online (via Zoom) during regular business hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Schedule an Appointment on Navigate

Meet Our Advisors

1/

Who is my Advisor?

To learn who your Academic Advisor is, you will first need to log onto NEST using your NetID and password. There, you can use Degree Works to view your Advisor assignment in the top left column of your degree audit. If your advisor is not listed, please contact us directly for more assistance.

Transfer Student Advising

Your first step toward academic success at Montclair is meeting your new advisor, where you will discuss your educational and career goals, register for classes and continue developing your academic plan. Here, you'll discuss the University's core requirements, review specific major requirements, and learn more about different campus resources to help you navigate Montclair efficiently. To schedule an appoint, please contact us directly or use Navigate.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Most majors at Montclair require the completion of the Change of Major/Minor Request on NEST. Some majors are restricted and carry additional requirements like a minimum GPA, successful completion of pre-requisite coursework, or an interview or audition. 

Note: Only one transaction is permitted each time you complete the form.

All undergraduate students looking to change their major/minor must use the online form via NEST. All requests will be reviewed by your new College/School designee before being made official; you will receive an email with confirmation of approval. Please expect 5-10 business days for processing to occur.

If you are pursuing a restricted major, you must meet with your Academic Advisor to review your academic progress to ensure you meet the admission requirements prior to declaring. 

If you're considering a change in direction and would like to switch out of your major to explore other academic pathways, you must meet with an Academic Advisor in the Discovery Program. During this meeting, you'll discuss your goals, review your academic progress, and develop a plan to help you move forward with confidence.

To be eligible to transition to exploratory (undeclared) status, you must have earned fewer than 60 credits. Because major exploration is most effective early in your academic career, students with fewer than 45 earned credits are strongly encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible.

Your advisor will help you understand your options, explore programs that align with your interests and goals, and determine whether becoming a Discovery student is the best next step for your academic journey.

Your Academic Advisor is a great starting point to help you identify potential programs of interest and there are several resources available to help you explore your options.

Exploratory Programs and Events

We host a wide variety of exploratory events throughout the year to help you navigate all of Montclair's majors, minors and more. Through innovative programs, like Crash-A-Class (held every semester), we invite you to explore different majors and the Colleges and Schools in new and exciting ways all year long. 

Take the Focus-2 Self Assessment

This free service, offered by Career Services, helps you connect your skills, interests and values with majors offered at Montclair State University and potential careers.

Explore Different Career Fields

Using O*NET, you can research different career fields you might consider pursuing. What do you like about it? What skills will make you successful in this field? How can you enhance or develop the skills required for your field of interest? 

Need Help ASAP?

Connect with Us via Live Chat! Our team is available to help you online through our Live Chat feature, and can answer general questions, Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 4 PM.