February 13, 2002

MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH NICHOLS COLLEGE TO PROVIDE LOCAL ACCESS TO BACHELOR’S DEGREES

(LEOMINSTER) - Through a new agreement, graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College’s Business Administration Transfer and Career programs can now earn their bachelor’s degrees from Nichols College without having to leave MWCC. An information night, co-sponsored by MWCC and Nichols College, will be held Wed., Mar. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at MWCC’s Leominster Campus and Corporate Training Center. Representatives will provide information on financial aid and course selection. On site transcript evaluations will be conducted for those who pre-register.

This partnership allows MWCC business graduates to complete bachelor’s degrees by earning up to 27 credits beyond their associate’s degrees at MWCC before finishing with Nichols courses at MWCC’s Leominster campus.

"Nichols College’s outstanding business program is an excellent fit with MWCC’s business program," said Associate Dean of Student and Enrollment Services Ann McDonald, who was instrumental in implementing the program. "Students seeking a convenient, and quality transfer route will find that this program can meet their career and educational needs."

To participate, students must have graduated with a qualitative grade point average of 2.5 or higher. A maximum of 90 credits will be accepted into Nichol’s General Business major. The final Nichols College credits will be offered in an accelerated seven and a half week course format at MWCC’s Leominster campus beginning this summer.

"Several of our Business Degree students currently transfer to Nichols College; now, they will not have to drive to Dudley, Mass. to do so," said MWCC President Daniel M. Asquino. "Providing a convenient way for students to earn bachelor’s degrees is another way we, as a community college, can provide better access to higher education."

This partnership is the second bachelor’s degree completion program developed this year at MWCC. The first program, through Franklin University of Columbus, Ohio, allows MWCC graduates to take "bridge" courses at MWCC and finally complete bachelor’s degrees through online courses with Franklin University.

To register for the information night on Wed., Mar. 6 at 5:30 p.m. at MWCC’s Leominster campus, 100 Erdman Way, Leominster, call Peggy at (978) 840-3221. For more information about the MWCC/Nichols degree completion program, call Ann McDonald at (978) 630-9164 or Jacqueline Belrose, assistant dean of continuing education and community development, at (978) 840-3221.