MassTransfer Program

MassTransfer Program

Students planning to transfer to one of the state-supported universities or colleges in Massachusetts are eligible for MassTransfer. MassTransfer provides community college graduates who complete designated associate degrees with the benefits of the full transfer and applicability of credit, guaranteed admission (2.500 GPA or higher) and a tuition discount (3.000 GPA or higher).

MassTransfer also provides students in the Massachusetts public higher education system the intermediate goal of completing a portable Gen Ed Foundation which will satisfy the general education/distribution/core requirements across institutions.

OPTION 1: A2B Degree (Associate to Bachelor's)

Students completing an associate degree program under MassTransfer will graduate with a minimum of 60 credit hours and complete the 34-credit Gen Ed Foundation (see box above), exclusive of developmental coursework:

Benefits for students who complete associate degrees under MassTransfer:

2.000 MINIMUM FINAL GPA

• No admission fee or essay;
• Guaranteed, full transfer of a minimum of 60 credits applied to the bachelor’s degree, if admitted; and
• Automatic satisfaction of the general education/distribution/core requirements at the receiving institution, additional credits/two courses, if admitted.

2.500 MINIMUM FINAL GPA

• Guaranteed admission, plus all of the above benefits.

3.000 MINIMUM FINAL GPA

• A 100 percent tuition waiver (effective Fall 2016) plus all of the above benefits.

Stipulations: If students change their major or if the linked baccalaureate program requires a higher grade point aver- age or specific courses which are required of native students, MassTransfer students must meet these requirements. If, because of space or fiscal limitations, the receiving institution does not admit all qualified applicants to a given major or program, the receiving institution will use the same criteria for MassTransfer applicants as it does for its native students.

OPTION 2: Gen Ed Foundation

Students completing the Gen Ed Foundation (without earning a degree) at any Massachusetts higher education institution with a 2.0 or higher grade point average will earn the 34 credit hours outlined above, exclusive of developmental coursework.

Benefits for students who complete the Gen Ed Foundation (beginning Fall 2012):

2.00 MINIMUM FINAL GPA

Automatic satisfaction of the general education/distribution/ core requirements with the receiving institution able to add no more than six additional credits/two courses, if admitted.

Stipulation: Students enrolled in a specific major or degree program may be required to take additional courses if these courses are specifically required for the major or program and are required of native students.

MassTransfer integrates and replaces Joint Admissions, Transfer Compact and the Tuition Advantage Program.

For full details about the MassTransfer policy, please see the Transfer Coordinator or go to www.mass.edu/masstransfer. See also information about the related Commonwealth Commitment.

MassTransfer Graduation Requirements are listed here.

Commonwealth Commitment

A commitment to college access, affordability and completion.

The Commonwealth Commitment (through MassTransfer) is an innovative college affordability and completion plan to help more students achieve the dream of a college degree.

The first agreement of its kind in the nation, the plan commits every public campus to pro- viding 10 percent rebates at the end of each successfully completed semester to qualifying undergraduate students, in addition to the standard MassTransfer tuition waiver received upon entering a four-year institution from a Community College.

Several degree programs have become eligible for the Commonwealth Commitment initiative since its inception in 2016 (please see below).

Participating students must be enrolled full-time and are required to maintain a 3.0 GPA. Students who meet the program requirements will, depending on the transfer pathway they choose, be able to realize an average savings of $5,090 off the cost of a baccalaureate degree.

What are the goals?

• Boost enrollment and improve transfer rates;
• Convert part-time students to full-time;
• Improve completion rates;
• Give students and families a break on college costs; and
• Provide an affordable pathway to a degree via 2 + 2 plans.

How does it work?

• Students start at one of the 15 Massachusetts com- munity colleges then progress to a State University or UMass campus;
• Students enter one of 16 MassTransfer Pathways or Special Mission Programs; and
• Students have 2.5 years to earn an associate degree and must maintain a 3.0 GPA.

What is the Commitment?

• Students will receive a 10 percent rebate off tuition and mandatory fees — payable at the end of every successfully completed semester via check or bookstore voucher.
• Potential to save thousands of dollars off the cost of a baccalaureate degree.

Eligible Degree Programs

Biology, Business, Chemistry, Communications & Media Studies, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Economics, English, History, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, STEM Natural/Physical Sciences

Massachusetts Maritime Programs —

Emergency Management, Marine Safety & Environmental Protection, Energy Systems Engineering, Facilities Engineering, International Maritime Business

Massachusetts College of Art & Design Programs —

Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture

Learn More

Commonwealth Commitment details are available on the official website of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education at www.mass.edu/MAComCom.

www.berkshirecc.edu/comcom