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    New MWCC establishes transfer program with WPI to benefit STEM students: How it works

    By Stephen Landry, The Gardner News,

    2 days ago

    A new program at Mount Wachusett Community College will aid students pursuing higher education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

    MWCC and Worcester Polytechnic Institute have entered into a new transfer agreement to provide seamless pathways for students pursuing a college degree in STEM fields, officials have announced.

    The agreement, effective immediately, aims to facilitate the transfer of MWCC students into WPI's prestigious programs, fostering academic and career success.

    "This agreement marks a significant opportunity for our students to access WPI's renowned educational resources and further their career aspirations in high-demand fields, said James Vander Hooven, president of MWCC. "We are proud to partner with WPI in providing clear and attainable pathways for student success."

    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3fRNVC_0vBEEz8W00

    A number of MWCC students had transferred to WPI over the years, according to officials, who added that in light of the new MassEducate program and the ongoing success of MassReconnect , the new transfer agreement was especially impactful as it would remove many of the barriers transfer students have typically faced.

    "Students transferring would have to go through a lot more review on the WPI side to get credit for the courses they completed with MWCC," said Nia Carignan, associate director of public relations and communications at MWCC. "This puts a clear framework of the classes accepted and the GPA needed by the student transferring."

    How the new transfer program between MWCC and WPI works

    Under the new partnership, MWCC students who have earned an associate degree and who have successfully completed a college-level precalculus or calculus 1 course, a college-level laboratory science course, and have earned a 3.3 or higher GPA, will be guaranteed admission to WPI.

    More: The fall semester at MWCC will start soon: How to register for classes and when they start

    MWCC students who have not yet completed their associate degree but have a minimum 3.0 GPA and have successfully completed a college-level precalculus or calculus 1 course and successfully completed a college-level laboratory science course may be offered admission in order to transfer to a bachelor's degree program at WPI.

    Upon admission, students will be supported through transfer student programs and opportunities at WPI, including a designated advisor in the Academic Advising Office and a staff liaison in the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

    MWCC transfer students will save money, have additional research opportunities

    The program will also benefit MWCC students looking to cut down on the cost of higher education, with savings potentially over $80,000. Based on each school's credits-per-hour in the STEM classes, the cost of attending MWCC for two years is roughly $15,000, while two years at WPI is an estimated $100,000.

    MWCC transfer students will also have immediate access to WPI’s Heebner Career Development Center and summer research opportunities.

    More: Enrollment at Mount Wachusett Community College is on the rise - what's drawing students?

    In addition, admitted students will be required to take a semester-long transfer transition program and receive a summer undergraduate course tuition waiver for one course taken in each of two summers, during their enrollment at WPI.

    Additional opportunities are available for qualified students to pursue graduate programming upon enrollment at WPI.

    This article originally appeared on Gardner News: New MWCC establishes transfer program with WPI to benefit STEM students: How it works

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