New Student Steps – Off-Site and Online Programs

Submit a Visiting Application

New Students: Students who have not taken a graduate course with TCNJ must submit a Visiting Student Application online with The Office of Graduate Studies. Shortly following your submission, you will receive an email from The Office of Graduate Studies with your PAWS ID and a letter of acceptance. As a visiting student, you are allowed to take three graduate courses. Students who plan on taking more than three graduate courses MUST apply for admissions before they reach the 9-credit threshold. Students will not be able to register for courses beyond the 9-credit threshold.

Course Selection and Advisement

Please review the program planner for your program and consult your Program Advisors.

Off-Site and Online Programs, osgp@tcnj.edu (Elementary/Secondary Education)
Jill Schwarz, Ph.D. – schwarz@tcnj.edu (School Counseling)
Yiqiang Wu, Ph.D. – wuyiqian@tcnj.edu (Teaching English as a Second Language)
Linda Mayger, Ed.D. – maygerl@tcnj.edu (Educational Leadership)

Course Registration

Students must consult their program planner (global programs or domestic programs) and/or make an appointment with their program coordinator to select course(s). Please click on “Courses by Term” located on OSOP’s main page to review the classes offered each term.

Students can register for their course(s) on PAWS. PAWS is a student database that assists students with registration and other administrative tasks. Students can review their courses, view their grades, make payments, and check their account balances in PAWS. For assistance with PAWS please visit PAWSHelp.

Course Payment and Student Fee

Payment must be made in full by the deadline published on TCNJ’s billing calendar. OSOP prohibits students from sitting in a course with an outstanding balance on their accounts. Please visit The Office of Student Accounts to learn about the different payment plans for students.

Each month, The Office of Student Accounts sends students a TCNJ invoice to their TCNJ email address.
Please visit TCNJ’s billing calendar to determine tuition due dates.
Student Fee: All matriculated students in the School of Education will incur a one-time Live Text Fee of $139.

Please note: If your plans change, please drop your course in PAWS. If you encounter any difficulties, please don’t hesitate to contact our office at osgp@tcnj.edu. To receive a refund, students (with a US bank account) MUST sign up for direct deposit with TCNJ in PAWS. Credits can be applied to (a) future graduate course(s) by the Office of Student Accounts. Please email the Office of Student Accounts directly at stuaccts@tcnj.edu with questions.

Student Financial Responsibility

Students who have registered for graduate courses with The College of New Jersey’s Off-Site and Online Programs must reconcile all outstanding balances before the commencement of an OSGP course(s) and assume financial responsibility for the payment of tuition and fees incurred while enrolled at The College of New Jersey’s Off-Site and Online Programs.

Travel Arrangements

For courses offered on-site, students are responsible for making and paying for all travel arrangements.

New Student Summer Scholarship Application

TCNJ Off-Site and Online Programs offer new graduate students pursuing a Certificate and/or M.Ed. through OSOP the opportunity to apply for a scholarship (up to $350) towards summer tuition only. To be considered for the scholarship, students must be new to the program and carry a full load in the summer (3 courses – 9 graduate credits). If you meet these criteria and would like to be considered for the summer scholarship, please do the following in this order:

Register for three OSOP summer courses in PAWS.
Complete this scholarship application form.

Students’ scholarship applications will be reviewed when the criteria and steps above have been met. Scholarship decisions will be emailed to students. The scholarship will not be applied until August or September.

Course Preparation – Students

TCNJ Systems

Visit TCNJ Today to access TCNJ systems (PAWS, Canvas, and TCNJ Email – Google Apps).

PAWS is TCNJ’s electronic student database, where students can access grades, pay tuition, order transcripts, and apply for graduation. All students are assigned a PAWS ID after submitting either a Visiting Student Application or a graduate application for admission to a Certificate or MEd global program. Find PAWS help.
Canvas is a course management tool that allows you to post messages and upload class materials.
TCNJ Email: TCNJ sends all official communication via email, including your tuition invoice. If you don’t plan on using your TCNJ email account, it is essential that you permanently forward TCNJ emails to another email account.

Account Lookup

Please lookup/reset your password if you are unable to access PAWS, CANVAS, TCNJ Email (google apps).

Account verification policy for password changes and updates: To enhance security measures, TCNJ requires a video conference call to verify password changes and updates. Please contact TCNJ’s IT Help Desk at helpdesk@tcnj.edu for assistance.

Accessing TCNJ Systems and Tuition/Student Information: Please refer to this student guide to access and navigate TCNJ Systems (TCNJ email, Canvas, PAWS)

IT Issues

Students who have difficulty accessing their passwords and accounts (after following the steps in the account lookup) should reach out to the IT Help Desk on campus at helpdesk@tcnj.edu.

Contact Instructor

Feel free to reach out to your instructor before your course to introduce yourself and learn more about course expectations. If you are not sure who your instructor is, please contact OSOP at osgp@tcnj.edu. If an instructor has been assigned, our office can forward you the instructor’s contact information.