Middlesex Community College: Graduate Faster And Save Money By Starting At Middlesex CC

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

10/6/2021

At Middlesex Community College, students finish their education and earn their degrees at a pace that best fits their schedules and timeframes. Well-planned program and pathway options, affordable prices, accelerated and flexible course formats, and an easy transfer process with MassTransfer help Middlesex put students on a clear path to success.

“Our goal at MCC is to make getting an education easier and less overwhelming,” said Bryan Wint, MCC’s Assistant Dean, Pathway & Academic Advising. “MCC’s programs and pathways are designed to reflect students’ individual needs and goals, while also meeting the standards set by four-year colleges and universities. By starting at Middlesex and taking advantage of MassTransfer, students receive a high-quality education, an inclusive and supportive tight-knit community, and an easy transition to their next school, all while saving money on tuition costs.”

Students who complete 60+ credits at MCC and use MassTransfer save on average between 28 to 40 percent on their bachelor’s degrees. Middlesex students can also save money by enrolling in Mini-mester sessions. The eight-week accelerated courses allow students to take more classes over the course of one semester.

Middlesex offers two Mini-mester sessions per semester during the fall and spring. The sessions cover the same content, maintain the same academic standards, and have the same number of instructional hours as courses scheduled during the 15-week semester.

Dr. Winny Oyamo-Twombly, MCC’s Assistant Director of Academic Advising & Academic Pathways, recalls a student telling her one benefit of Mini-mesters is being able to focus on one class “for a short period of time and getting it done quickly.”

With Fall Mini-mester II starting on Monday, November 1, students do not have to wait to begin their academic journey. “Mini-mester classes provide students with a great way to get started with a few classes and not miss out on making progress toward their degree,” Oyamo-Twombly said.

Created to keep students on track to reach their goals, MCC’s pathways and programs allow students to complete general education requirements, discover their major of study, and earn transferable college credit. Students also have access to small class sizes, individualized attention, comprehensive student support services, and academic, career and transfer advising.

After gaining a strong foundation and an associate degree in their first two years of college at MCC, students can carry over their credits to any Massachusetts state college or university through MassTransfer. The program seeks to reward students for starting at a community college.

Using the A2B (Associate to Bachelor’s) Mapped and Linked Programs allow students who earn a 2.0 GPA or higher to have guaranteed transfer of credits. They also do not have to fill out an application fee or write an essay in order to transfer. With a 2.5 GPA or higher, students have guaranteed admission to a state school, and those with a 3.0 GPA or higher receive MassTransfer 100 percent tuition credit.

The A2B Degree Plus Commonwealth Commitment provides even more incentives for students to start at Middlesex and transfer to a state school. These may include a freeze on tuition for four years and a 10 percent end-of-semester rebate. Qualifying students have a 3.0 GPA or higher, attend full-time, and sign up for the program within taking their first 15 credits.

Mini-mesters offer a variety of subjects, as well as on campus, online and hybrid course formats. Before transferring to a four-year school through MassTransfer, students can explore majors to get a better idea of what they want to pursue for an education and career while starting at a time that works best for them and fits into their schedules.

Please note that Middlesex requires all students to be vaccinated in order to come to campus, as of January 2022. Students who are unvaccinated can still choose to take online classes and access online resources and student support services.

Register for Fall 2021 Mini-mester II starting on Monday, November 1. For more information, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.