William Paterson University

At William Paterson University, our greatest strength is helping you find yours. Here students find a supportive and challenging environment that encourages them to push themselves, gain confidence, and come away with the knowledge that remarkable things are within their reach.

A leading public University with more than 10,000 students, William Paterson offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its five academic colleges: Arts and Communication, Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health.

Its 370-acre wooded campus is located in suburban Wayne, New Jersey, just 20 miles from New York City, adjacent to 1,200 acres of wetlands and woodlands, and only three miles from the historic Paterson Great Falls.

The University offers a vast array of learning opportunities in its classrooms, laboratories, and studios, and throughout the campus, as well as at various off-campus locations. William Paterson’s faculty members provide a valuable blend of accomplished scholarship and practical, applied experience. Among the University’s faculty are 41 Fulbright scholars and recipients of numerous other awards, grants, and fellowships. Students benefit from individualized attention from faculty mentors, small class sizes, and numerous research, internship, and clinical experiences.

The institution’s more than 76,000 alumni can be found throughout New Jersey, the nation, and the world, using their William Paterson degrees and experiences as a springboard to professional accomplishment and personal growth. They are leaders in the arts, business, health care, sports, entertainment, the media, and education. They are public servants, artists, musicians, teachers, scientists, television personalities, authors, politicians, crime fighters, and entrepreneurs. Their achievements reflect the University’s mission and commitment to preparing graduates for success in their careers, communities, and lives.

William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution that offers an outstanding and affordable education to a diverse traditional and nontraditional student body through baccalaureate, graduate and continuing education programs. The University's distinguished teachers, scholars and professionals actively challenge students to high levels of intellectual and professional accomplishment and personal growth in preparation for careers, advanced studies and productive citizenship. Faculty and staff use innovative approaches to research, learning and student support to expand students’ awareness of what they can accomplish. The University’s graduates embody a profound sense of responsibility to their communities, commitment to a sustainable environment and active involvement in a multicultural world.

William Paterson University will be widely recognized as the model of outstanding and affordable public higher education characterized by rigorous academic preparation and a wide array of experiential, co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. The University will be distinctive for nationally recognized programs that prepare its students for the careers of today and tomorrow and known for its support of the personal growth and academic success of a highly diverse student body. It will be an institution of first choice for students committed to transforming their lives and making a difference.

Begin your WP journey by exploring our wide range of rigorous, highly regarded academic programs in areas including arts and communication, business, humanities and social sciences, education, and science and health.

If you have the will to succeed, William Paterson University can help you move forward. We welcome undergraduate and graduate students who are motivated to achieve remarkable things. Whether you are just beginning to shape your path or building on your knowledge and experience to advance your career, we offer an environment that is academically challenging, supportive, and rich in opportunities.

With a vast array of majors to choose from, your options are wide open. Each department is geared toward developing your knowledge, experience, and confidence as you explore new directions. You'll gain the skills and credentials you need to advance your career through a wide range of rigorous graduate programs that offer flexibility for working professionals.

We back our commitment to excellent, affordable education with a variety of student assistance and scholarship opportunities based on need, scholastic performance, and related achievements. Our beautiful 370-acre wooded campus in the suburban community of Wayne, NJ, is three miles from the historic Great Falls and just 20 miles from New York City with its wealth of career and cultural opportunities.

With nearly 2,600 undergraduates livling 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. You'll build professional connections and lifelong friendships with your fellow Pioneers.

New Student Experience works collaboratively with faculty, administration, students and various departments on campus to implement a comprehensive university plan for first-year students to promote their retention and academic success at the University. New Student Experience is in direct support of the university’s mission statement as well as the university’s plans as outlined the Strategic Agenda. The department is committed to the academic development of new students and to the enhancement of student success. The purpose of the department is to coordinate a series of activities and programs to assist and support students through the first year of their higher education careers. NSE provides a solid foundation necessary for new students to develop the skills needed to engage in the rigorous academic challenges of higher education.