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. 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.