Middlesex Community College: MCC's Education Department Ranks No. 1 For Best Value In Mass.

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

5/20/2021

Middlesex Community College was ranked number one for the 2021 Best Value Teacher Education Grade Specific Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts and in the New England Region by Teaching Degree Search. The Education department at Middlesex provides students with academic excellence, affordable tuition and accessible content and materials.

On the Teaching Degree Search website, students can access information about teaching colleges and programs in ranked lists based on research. Middlesex was named the Best Value Teaching Schools on the site’s most recent ranking for both Massachusetts and New England, and is described as “an affordable, quality education to students.”

“We strive to provide our students with world-class educational opportunities that are responsive to the changing demands within the field and that help students reach their professional goals,” said Michelle Dobrin, MCC’s Department Chair of Education. “We are committed to continuing to provide high-quality, cost-effective and inclusive pathways toward success for our students so that they can begin the critical work of educating the future generations.”

From Lowell, Cindy Rios came to Middlesex to finish her degree in Education. Rios enjoys her classes, including the variety of options she has to choose from. Her professors – including Nancy Pynchon, Doris Buckley and Cathleen Twomey – are supportive and “the most kindhearted people I have met while in school.” They have helped her work toward her goals, answer her questions and concerns, and help her navigate her academic journey.

“I really love Middlesex and my experience here has been great,” she said. “I have owned a home daycare for many years and going back to school has allowed me to really learn how to be the best educator and person I can be for the children in my care.”

For over two years, MCC’s Education department has also offered free courses to Early Childhood Education (ECE) students who are working in the field and want to start their academic pathway. Classes are funded through the ECE Career Pathways grant and the Mass. Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).

Since January 2019, the ECE Career Pathways grant has helped 519 students complete coursework requirements to become a Child Development Associate (CDA), as well as receive a Teacher, Leader Teacher and Director EEC Certification. Students who take the courses can start an MCC Education degree or certificate to be promoted to a higher level of teaching.

The grant provides funding for tuition, course materials, fees, tutoring services and college and career advising. Starting on June 1, the ECE Career Pathways grant will offer five free online courses over the summer.

Being able to take advantage of these free and accessible classes helped Rios start her return to school. With three daughters also attending college, she appreciated the financial support to help her earn her degree.

“I will forever be grateful for the ECE Careers Pathway Grant,” she said. “I am proud to say that I will be finished with my associate this December.”

MCC’s Education program helps students go into – and succeed in – the workforce or transfer to four-year schools with its award-winning and affordable offerings, small class sizes and flexible schedules Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/education/default.aspx for more information about available programs – including the ECE Career Pathways grant – and discover your path to a degree in Education at Middlesex.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu or call 1-800-818-3434 to register for the Summer and Fall 2021 semesters at Middlesex.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.