History
The institution was founded in 1855 as the Paterson City Normal School in response to the growing demand for professional preparation of teachers-in-service in the emerging free public schools of Paterson. By 1875, the normal school had added a one-year teacher training curriculum for high school graduates seeking to become teachers, which was later increased to two years.
Education
William Paterson University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate academic programs through five colleges: Arts and Communication, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health.The University offers 53 undergraduate degree programs, 24 master’s degree programs, and two doctoral programs (doctorate in clinical psychology and doctor of nursing practice). Certification is available in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education. There are also pre-professional programs in law, medicine (dentistry, optometry, podiatry, and veterinary science), physical therapy, and physician assistant.
Research
The office of institutional research and assessment advances William Paterson University’s mission and strategic goals by serving as the official source for information about the University’s academic programs and constituents. The office accomplishes this by taking a leadership role in ensuring the availability of accurate information that is useful, timely and accessible. The information and analyses provided to University decision makers supports planning, institutional effectiveness and assessment efforts throughout the University.
Career
There are many job opportunities for BA graduates. The following ideas do not exhaust the possibilities:
- Health and Social Services
- Business and Non-profit Organizations--advertising, marketing, consumer research, insurance, real estate, personnel work or training.
- Community Work--fund raising, social service organizations, child-cared agencies.
- Corrections--probation, parole or other criminal justice work.
- Colleges and Universities--admissions, alumni relations, placement.
- Publishing, computer work and public relations.
- Federal, state and local government jobs--in such areas as transportation, housing, education, agriculture and labor relations.
Distance Learning Courses
Business & Management (11)
- B.A. Accounting Online
- B.A. Finance Online
- B.Sc. Management Online
- B.Sc. Marketing Online
Social Sciences (5)
- B.A. Communication Online
- B.A. Psychology Online
- B.A. Sociology Online
Education & Training (4)
Computer Science & IT (1)
Humanities (1)
Medicine & Health (1)
Student services
Our office currently has staff working remotely to address your inquiries and continue to process billing, payment, financial aid and record inquiries. Our hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
To ensure your safety during the current health crisis, we are seeing students by appointment ONLY for payments (cash and scholarship/3rd party payments) and to submit Financial Aid documents. To reserve your appointment, please click here. After you have reserved your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email with your appointment details and important information you will need prior and during your visit.Housing services
When you join the nearly 2,000 active undergraduates living on campus at William Paterson University, you’ll be at the center of it all, sharing your college experience with fellow students from every background and perspective. With accommodations ranging from double room suites to apartments, our well-equipped residence halls provide a safe and comfortable environment for studying and participating in activities, making it easy to stay connected to everything that’s happening on campus. We encourage you to become actively involved in your residential community and campus life through the many programs and activities that are offered during the course of the academic year.
Library services
The David and Lorraine Cheng Library is the academic knowledge center of William Paterson University. The Library advances the University’s mission and core values: academic excellence, creation of knowledge, student success, diversity and citizenship.
ICT services
William Paterson University provides wireless access into its computing resources utilizing Cisco Aironet wireless equipment. This equipment support all wireless access radios (A,B,G,N) and it utilizes Cisco Clean Access authentication to secure all access.
Medical services
The mission of the Health and Wellness component of the Counseling, Health and Wellness Center is to provide a welcoming environment for William Paterson University students. The Health and Wellness Center staff members provide care for students who are ill or injured. Through health-related counseling and education, we support students' efforts to maintain their physical and emotional well-being.
Campus life
With nearly 2,600 undergraduates living on campus, you'll share an active college experience with students from every background and perspective. We have more than 115 clubs and organizations, 28 fraternities and sororities, and 13 NCAA Division III sports teams-so there's always something exciting going on. Our beautiful residence halls provide a safe and comfortable environment for studying and participating in activities, making it easy to stay connected to everything that's happening on campus.
Sports facilities
There are opportunities for students to play for the following club sports teams:
- Cheerleading
- Bowling Club
- Equestrian Team
- Ice Hockey Team
- Rugby Team
- Dance Team
Student clubs
Clubs currently active include:
- Acapella Club
- Accounting Society
- Actuarial Science Club
- American Medical Women's Association
- Amateur Radio
- Anthrosphere Club Association of Latinos Professional for America (ALPFA)
- Athletic Training Club
- Beacon Newspaper
- Bioethics Club
- Biology and Bio Tech
- Black Student Union
- Bowling Team
- Brothers for Awareness (BFA)
- Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU)
- Caribbean Student Association (CARIBSA)
- Catholic Campus Ministry Club (CCMC)
- Cheerleading Team Chemistry Club
The university is accredited by:
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- Computing Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)
- Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)
- Masters in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
- National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)