Middlesex Community College: MCC Forms New Transfer Partnership With William James College

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

3/10/2022

Middlesex Community College’s new agreement with William James College (WJC), a private college of psychology in Newton, allows Human Services, Psychology and Liberal Arts students to complete their first two years at MCC before transferring to WJC to complete their Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Human Services.

“Middlesex strives to set up students for success beyond their time at the college, whether they are looking to transfer to a four-year institution or directly enter the workforce,” said Ellen Grondine, MCC’s Dean of Education and K-16 Partnerships. “We want students to understand that there are options and support available to them to ensure they are on the right track to reach their goals.”

Middlesex establishes articulation agreements with colleges to help make the transfer process easier. This new agreement is unique in the way WJC accepts MCC credit, according to Matthew Olson, MCC’s Dean of Liberal Arts.

“In much of the ways MCC is focused on being the first two years of a college education, WJC is focused on being the second two years of a college education,” Olson said. “WJC doesn’t offer the traditional first year courses, such as Introduction to Psychology. They’ve turned to Middlesex to provide the strong general education so they can focus on the upper level psychology and human services courses.”

This model allows students to focus on developing the skills and knowledge for careers in behavioral health fields at the transfer institution, according to Olson. At WJC, students study as part of a cohort and take applied counseling classes, offered primarily online. They balance their studies with doing paid internships to practice their training, making them ready to enter the job market immediately after graduation.

For each WJC course, there are two three-hour meetings students are required to attend face-to-face. MCC is already looking at ways to make the in-person meetings easier for students who are used to coming to the Middlesex campuses in Bedford and Lowell. This includes offering courses on MCC’s Bedford campus or providing transportation to Newton for some “bridge classes” as students adjust to their new institution.

In order to attend the program, students must have completed an associate degree or have earned 60 undergraduate credits. Students can also work full-time while completing the program. WJC’s website describes the program as “critical to strengthen the behavioral health workforce with the skills and credentials of an undergraduate degree so students can build a career and make a difference in the lives of the clients they serve.”

For those who would not otherwise have the opportunity, Middlesex is the gateway to meaningful education and careers. Small class sizes, affordable prices, flexible course formats, and hands-on support services help students navigate college, be successful in their studies, and move on to programs well prepared for success.

Middlesex offers a variety of degree and certificate options in which students can earn transferable credit to take with them to their next institution. With MCC as a stepping stone, students can explore their interests before transferring to a school that provides higher level courses and programs.

“You may have remained undecided at MCC and focused on exploring while earning your associate degree, but even if you didn’t major in Psychology or Human Services, transfer to WJC is an option to pursue a career in Behavioral Health,” Grondine said. “So many people are interested in helping with the mental health crisis after the pandemic.”

Much of MCC’s success in being able to prepare students with the foundational background they need to proceed into a variety of industries is because MCC is a teaching college, according to Grondine. Students benefit from individualized support from professors who know who the students are and can help them use their strengths and learn from their challenges.

“Our faculty are invested in working directly with our students,” Grondine said. “WJC recognizes the value our faculty bring to the classroom and to our students’ education.”

MCC is also hoping to welcome back graduates who continue on to receive their master’s degrees as adjunct faculty members. As Middlesex serves a diverse population of students, both the college and WJC want to deepen and diversify the pool of students, faculty and mental health employees across the state.

“WJC sees their mission now as providing all levels of counselors directly into the field, and they have a strong emphasis on recruiting diverse students into these programs,” Olson said. “They recognize, like MCC, that the people offering support should better reflect the populations they are serving, which is one of the reasons they are interested in partnering with us.”

Middlesex offers a variety of articulation agreements and transfer opportunities for students to continue their education and advance their careers. Opportunities include the MassTransfer program, which allows MCC students to transfer to a Massachusetts state college, state university, or University of Massachusetts campus. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/transfer/ for more information.

MCC is registering now for the accelerated eight-week Spring Mini-mester II – starting on Monday, March 28 – and the Summer 2022 semester. 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.