William Paterson University of New Jersey

William Paterson’s 370-acre wooded and landscaped campus is dotted with more than 38 buildings, many sculptures and even a waterfall. Take an online tour for a glimpse of our community.

From its beginnings as a normal school in the city of Paterson to its current designation as a comprehensive university, The William Paterson University of New Jersey has been dedicated to providing educational opportunities and service to the community.

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. In 1910, the school, which had changed location several times, was moved to the brand-new School #24 on 19th Avenue and East 22nd Street in Paterson, where it remained for 40 years.

With a growing realization that the responsibility for teacher preparation should rest with the state, local educators urged the state to take over the Paterson City Normal School. In 1923 the State Legislature passed an act to establish the New Jersey State Normal School at Paterson. Its sole aim, as later described in the 1929-30 catalog, was “to develop a well-trained teacher for service in the schools of the State.”

The William Paterson University of New Jersey enrolls more than 11,200 undergraduate and graduate students. It supports 43 undergraduate and 21 graduate degree programs in five colleges: Arts and Communication, Christos M. Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. The institution’s 370 full-time faculty, who are widely respected for their teaching, research and scholarship, include 26 Fulbright scholars.

Mission
The William Paterson University of New Jersey is a comprehensive public institution of higher learning with a mission that incorporates teaching, research and creative activity, and service.

Maintaining a tradition of leadership in general education and multiculturalism, the University is committed to promoting student success, academic excellence, and community outreach with opportunities for lifelong learning.

Courses Offered
Undergraduate Programs

• Bachelor of arts (B.A.)
• Bachelor of science (B.S.) degrees
• Bachelor of fine arts (B.F.A.
• Bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.).

Graduate Programs

• Master of arts (M.A
• Master of science (M.S.)
• Master of fine arts (M.F.A.)
• Master of music (M.M.)
• Master of business administration (MBA)

Colleges

• Arts and Communication
• Education
• Humanities and Social Sciences
• Science and Health
• Cotsakos College of Business

Contact Details
William Paterson University
300 Pompton Road
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
973-720-2000
Official Website: http://www.wpunj.edu/