Bridge to College

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.

For students who wish to enroll in dual enrollment classes with BCC, here are the steps:

1. Students complete the Bridge to College application
   
   1. Under "Application Type," select "Bridge to College"
2. Counselors complete the School Counselor Authorization Form
   1. Students should talk with their School Counselors about the classes they wish to take and their overall academic plan
   2. Consult the BCC Course Catalog

Bridge to College Statement of Understanding

• I understand as a BCC student participating in the Bridge to College program, I am expected to follow the Student Code of Conduct and Academic Policies as set forth in BCC’s Student Policy Guide.
• I understand that BCC has the authorization to release information regarding grades, enrollment, and academic progress to my high school via the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• I understand that withdrawing from a course(s) and/or having a low grade performance (less than a C), may affect my ability to access financial aid through BCC in the future as outlined in BCC’s Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy, my eligibility to take additional courses as part of the Bridge to College program, or could affect my high school graduation requirements.
• I understand I need to activate and check MyBCC portal frequently, which houses Self Service, Moodle, and BCC Email.
• I understand it is my responsibility to reach out to my professor/teacher, Bridge to College staff, or contact student services when I am struggling in a course and need help.
• I understand that any institution I attend in the future, not BCC, makes the determination of what transfer credit they will accept.

Additional Considerations: Dual Enrollment

• I understand that BCC has a different academic calendar than my high school and I am expected to attend class and turn in assignments when the BCC course(s) run, even if my high school is on break or is closed for the day.
• I understand that for every hour I spend in my college class, I am expected to do 2-3 hours of work outside of the classroom (checking/responding to emails, studying, readings, homework, essays, quizzes, group work, etc.)
• I understand that I am responsible for the purchase of books and course supplies for each college course I take.

Additional Considerations: Concurrent Enrollment

• I understand that a concurrent course is a high school course that has been approved for BCC college credit, taught at the student’s high school. Enrolling in a concurrent course means that I am enrolling in a BCC course as a BCC student, and I will earn a BCC grade for each concurrent course I take.
• I understand that if I withdraw from my high school course or leave my high school, I also need to withdraw from the concurrent BCC course. I can ask my teacher or Bridge to College staff at BCC for help with this process.

*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).

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 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): July 8
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): Aug. 7
Last Day of Classes: Aug. 14

Fall 2025 – Application Deadline: Aug. 22, 2025
Applications Open/Registration Date: May 12
Classes Start: Sept. 2
Add/Drop: Sept. 2-9
Course Withdrawals (W Grades): Dec. 4
Last Day of Classes: Dec.11
Finals: Dec. 12-18

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 January intersession or 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. Click here to 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.