Bridge to College

As part of the Bridge to College program, high school or home school students from Berkshire County, MA can earn college credit before graduating through dual enrollment or Concurrent Enrollment.

What is dual enrollment?

Dual enrollment involves a high school student enrolling in a college course for credit with a BCC professor. The course can be taken either in-person at Berkshire Community College, asynchronously (fully online), or hybrid (in person at BCC and online). In some cases, dual enrollment courses may be taught at a local high school by a BCC professor.

What is concurrent enrollment?

Concurrent enrollment involves a high school student enrolling in a course taught at their high school by a high school teacher who has had their teaching credentials and course syllabus approved for college credit.

Dual enrollment eligibility:

• Current (or rising) high school junior or senior.
• Currently enrolled in a public or charter secondary school in Berkshire County, MA or a Berkshire County resident pursuing secondary education (including but not limited to home schooling or virtual schooling).
• A minimum 2.0 high school cumulative GPA.
  • If a student's secondary education does not provide a GPA for grading, a high school counselor or home school advisor must submit a certification of college readiness.
• Must meet all course prerequisites per the course policies of Berkshire Community College
  • Students are eligible to take any college 100 or 200 level course that is either 3 or 4 credits and for which they meet the course prerequisites.
  • For placement into Math courses or courses with a math prerequisite, students must have a 2.7 cumulative GPA or meet placement requirements based on completion of the Math Accuplacer.
    • Students interested in taking Pre-Calculus or Calculus are required to take a Math Accuplacer regardless of their high school GPA.

To remain eligible to participate in the Bridge to College (dual enrollment) Program:

• Maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 at Berkshire Community College.*

*Tip: The courses that Bridge to College students take through dual enrollment at BCC can affect their Satisfactory Academic Progress (PDF) with the institution if the student chooses to matriculate to BCC post high school. Students should maintain good academic standing while taking dual enrollment courses.

New Student Application Forms

Bridge to College Dual Enrollment Application Packet (PDF)

Returning Student Application Forms

Bridge to College Application - Dual Enrollment (PDF)

Bridge to College - Dual Enrollment School Counselor Authorization Form (PDF)

Fall and/or Spring Semester

New students - dual enrollment*

• Students (and their parents/guardians) who are taking dual enrollment course(s) must fill out and sign the following documents:
  • Bridge to College Dual Enrollment Application Packet (pages 1-3)
  • Students submit page 3 of application to their School Counselor to review and approve
• School Counselors submit and sign the following documents to Bridge to College:
  • Bridge to College Dual Enrollment Application (page 3) 
  • School Counselor Authorization Form – Dual Enrollment (page 4 of Dual Enrollment Application Packet)
  • Copy of most recent high school transcript

Returning students – dual enrollment*

• Students (and their parents/guardians) who are taking dual enrollment course(s) must fill out and sign the following document, then submit to their School Counselor for approval:
  • Bridge to College Application – Dual Enrollment
• School Counselors submit and sign the following documents to Bridge to College:
  • Bridge to College Application - Dual Enrollment 
  • School Counselor Authorization Form – Dual Enrollment
  • Copy of most recent high school transcript

*Additional documentation may be requested to meet specified course prerequisites.
Incomplete applications will not be processed. All documents should be submitted to BridgetoCollege@berkshirecc.edu

Registration for Summer Semester

Fill out the Registration Form (PDF) and submit the document to BridgetoCollege@berkshirecc.edu

*Please note, all college courses follow the schedules below. If your high school has a school break but the college is in session, you are expected to be in attendance at your class(es).

Fall 2024 – Application Deadline: Aug. 23, 2024
Classes Start: Sept. 3
Add/Drop: Sept. 3 – 10
Course Withdrawals (W Grades): Nov. 6
Course Withdrawals (WP/WF Grades): Nov. 27
Last Day of Classes: Dec. 12
Finals: Dec. 13-19

Spring 2025 – Application Deadline: Jan. 10, 2025
Classes Start: Jan. 21
Add/Drop: Jan. 21 – 28
Course Withdrawals (W Grades): April 3
Course Withdrawals (WP/WF Grades): April 23
Last Day of Classes: May 6
Finals: May 12 – 16

Summer 2025 – Must Register before Session Start Date (no funding available)
Session I (May 27 – July 3)
Classes Start: May 27
Add/Drop: May 29
Course Withdrawals (W Grades): June 18
Course Withdrawals (WP/WF Grades): June 26
Last Day of Classes: July 3

Session II (May 27 – July 15)
Classes Start: May 27
Add/Drop: May 29
Course Withdrawals (W Grades): June 26
Course Withdrawals (WP/WF Grades): July 10
Last Day of Classes: July 14/15

Session III (July 7 – Aug. 14)
Classes Start: July 7
Add/Drop: July 8
Course Withdrawals (W Grades): June 30
Course Withdrawals (WP/WF Grades): Aug. 7
Last Day of Classes: Aug. 14

How many credits can I take per semester through the Bridge to College Program?

Up to 15 credits per fall/spring semester (permitting a student's high school schedule) are covered under the Bridge to College Program. If a student wishes to take over 15 credits, they are responsible for the cost of the courses.

How much does it cost to take college credit for dual enrollment?

If a high school student meets the eligibility, they can enroll in qualifying BCC courses for no cost, up to a maximum of 15 credits per fall or spring semester.

Please note, students are responsible for purchasing textbooks and any additional course fees.

If a student wishes to take a college course over the summer semester, the student is responsible for paying for all tuition, fees, and textbooks for the course(s).

How much does it cost to take college credit for concurrent enrollment?

If a high school student is enrolled in a participating public or charter secondary school within Berkshire County, MA, the student does not pay for the college credit.

What is the minimum passing grade for a Bridge to College course to transfer credit to another institution?

Most colleges and universities require at least a C in a class for the credit to the transfer. The receiving institution always makes the determination of what credit they will accept. If you are interested in attending a specific institution, it is best to consult with that school before selecting a course. The MassTransfer website allows you to review some common course equivalencies between state institutions.

How do I find what classes I can take for Dual Enrollment courses?

Students are eligible to take any college 100 or 200 level course that is either 3 or 4 credits for which they meet the course prerequisites. To check if you meet the prerequisite requirements for a course, use the BCC Course Catalog.View the courses available per semester.

I have an IEP or 504 in high school; am I able to receive accommodations for Dual Enrollment courses?

Yes! If you are a high school student who currently has an IEP or 504 plan, please contact BCC's Disability Resource Center as soon as possible to set up an appointment to create a plan to receive accommodations and support services for your college courses prior to the start of the semester.

Please note, the process to receive accommodations takes time and we recommend reaching out to BCC's Disability Resource Center at the student's earliest convenience.

I am in a vocational program at my high school, do I receive college credit for those classes?

Yes, depending on which high school vocational program. To view the full list of classes offered at your high school that could double as college credit, visit the Career Technical Education (CTE) Linkages at BCC.

How do I request an official college transcript from BCC to send to another institution?

To send your BCC college transcript to another institution, you will need to request your official transcripts via Parchment. Official transcripts sent electronically cost $5 and a paper transcript costs $7.50. It is the student's responsibility to pay for their official college transcript(s). Learn more about how to request a transcript.

How does my BCC transcript get submitted to my high school for graduation requirements?

BCC will send your unofficial college transcript to your school counseling office so your grade can be recorded for your high school graduation requirements.

What is the time commitment and rigor of taking a college course versus a high school course?

All new Bridge to College students are required to attend a Dual Enrollment Orientation at the start of their first semester.

A college course involves a fast-paced and independent learning environment with strict deadlines where many faculty do not allow students to make up missed work or complete extra credit for not doing well on an assignment. For every hour spent in a college class, the student is expected to do 2-3 hours of work outside the classroom (checking/responding to emails, studying, readings, homework, essays, quizzes, tests, group work, etc.) For example, a 3-credit course meets 3 hours per week which equates to a student (minimally) doing 6 hours per week of work outside of the classroom for one course.

Online (asynchronous) courses do not meet in-person or virtually, which requires the student to complete the course independently while meeting deadlines outlined in the course syllabus. An online course requires 7 – 10 hours per week to review recordings, complete readings, assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.