New Cohort Programs at South County Center

Berkshire Community College (BCC) is offering two new cohort type programs at its South County Center (SCC) in Great Barrington, the Kick Start and the Business Careers cohorts, beginning this fall.

A cohort is a group of classmates that enters the same program, and completes their courses in tandem. A cohort offers a consistent schedule and provides the support of a group of peers who move through coursework together.

The Kick Start cohort offers the first year of general education coursework with the goal of putting students on a path toward a degree in Liberal Arts, Fine Arts, STEM, Nursing or Allied Health. It is a one year, full-time program offering classes in the fall, spring and summer on Tuesdays and Thursdays at SCC. Students will then be able to complete their Associate’s Degree at BCC’s main campus in Pittsfield and/or through online coursework. Kick Start general education classes easily transfer to a four-year college at a fraction of the cost of other higher education institutions.

The Business Careers degree program is for those currently employed or primarily interested in entering the workforce upon graduating from BCC. It is a three year, part-time program, offering hybrid courses on Wednesday evenings over the fall, spring and summer semesters at SCC.

Students in the Business Careers cohort will study accounting, computer applications, economics and oral and written communications, along with selected business courses in financial literacy, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship. Graduates will have mastered the basic foundations of business allowing them to advance at their current place of employment as well as qualify for new positions within the community. Program graduates can expect to find employment in manufacturing operations, accounting, finance, customer service, sales, government, insurance, banking, marketing, human resource management, and other career areas.

The South County Center also offers a personalized one-stop shop for students looking for help with Admissions, Academic Advising or Student Financial Services.