SPRINGFIELD – An agreement between Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) and Westfield State University will provide significant cost savings to students who complete their associate degree at STCC and transfer directly to Westfield State to complete their bachelor’s degree. The Presidents’ MassTransfer agreement, which will go into effect next fall, will provide students with the opportunity to obtain their degrees from both institutions for a total not to exceed $30,000.
MassTransfer is a statewide transfer program implemented by the Department of Higher Education. It streamlines the transfer process for community college students who want to complete a designated associates degree then transfer to any Massachusetts state college or University of Massachusetts campus.
This new Presidents’ MassTransfer Agreement expands on the current transfer program in place between the two schools for elementary, early childhood and secondary education licensure, by streamlining the transition from completion of a selected STCC associate’s degree program to enrollment and subsequent graduation in corresponding bachelor’s degree program at Westfield State, all within a prescribed period of time and with fixed financial rates for participating students.
On Nov. 20, STCC President Dr. Ira H. Rubenzahl and Westfield State Interim President Dr. Elizabeth H. Preston officially signed the Presidents’ MassTransfer agreement.
“We want to provide students with a high-quality education to help them obtain their bachelor’s degree at the most reasonable price,” said Rubenzahl. “Our hope is that more families in the region will consider this as an option—to start here at STCC and transfer to Westfield State University at the incredibly low cost of $30,000 total for their degree.”
According to the agreement, STCC students must earn their associate degree within three years of enrollment and complete an approved Presidents’ MassTransfer program with an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 in order to be granted admission to the Westfield State major of choice (space permitting). Additionally, STCC students who graduate in an approved Massachusetts Department of Higher Education MassTransfer Program with a minimum 3.0 quality point average will be eligible for a MassTransfer tuition waiver, allowing STCC students to transfer to WSU seamlessly without any additional costs. Students must earn a maximum of 60 credits and complete their degree at WSU within a three-year period.
“Statistics show college grads earn almost twice as much as high school graduates, but for many creative, motivated and qualified individuals, a college degree does not seem within reach. New models are needed that serve the needs of potential students. Westfield State’s partnership with STCC makes getting a four-year degree accessible by ensuring a seamless transfer process between the two institutions that is extremely affordable and potentially less than $10,000 for students eligible for Pell grant funding,” said Preston.
Approved eligible transfer programs include general business transfer; liberal arts transfer; liberal arts transfer, general studies; liberal arts transfer, fine arts option; and teacher education transfer, secondary. Students in these programs may transfer to Westfield State programs including art, communication, criminal justice, economics, English, ethnic and gender studies, history, political science, psychology, regional planning, social work, sociology, Spanish, and theater arts. Students previously enrolled at Westfield State are not eligible for this transfer program.
For those interested in learning more about the Presidents’ MassTransfer agreement or how to enroll, please contact: STCC Dean of Admissions Louisa Davis-Freeman at (413) 755-4380.
