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About MCLA

At a Glance 

History:

  • Founded in 1894 as North Adams Normal School
  • In 1932 the Normal School became the State Teachers College of North Adams
  • In 1960, the college changed its name to North Adams State College and added professional degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science
  • In 1997, the name changed to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), reflective of specialty school status within the Massachusetts State College public system The Public Liberal Arts College of Massachusetts
  • Also in 1997, MCLA embarked upon a campus Beautification Project through the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education Campus Performance Improvement Program (CPIP).
  • 2004 President Grant initiated collaborations with other institutions to  strengthen MCLA's leadership position.  Launched Berkshire Compact for Higher Education and MCLA Gallery 51. MCLA also is the lead partner in the Berkshire STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Pipeline Network.
  • Governor Deval Patrick signed into law a Higher Education Bond Bill in August 2008 that includes $54.5 million for a new Center for Science and Innovation at MCLA.

Academic Excellence:

  • Highly qualified faculty, representing a wide range of disciplines and expertise
  • Faculty to student ratio of 1:14 and an average class size of 18 students
  • Extensive study abroad opportunities
  • College-wide Honors Program
  • Service learning integrated into MCLA's curriculum
  • Cross enrollment with our neighboring institution, Williams College
  • Member of National Student Exchange
  • Annual Undergraduate Research Conference: student research projects
  • Wireless campus and laptop requirement
  • Host institution for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives
  • Home to the Berkshire Wireless Learning Initiative (BWLI)

Professional Preparation:

  • Bachelor degree programs in: Business Administration, Biology, English/Communications Computer Science & Information Systems, Education and Physics. Professional program concentrations in Social Work, Pre-Law, and Athletic Training .
  • 3 + 2 Physics/Engineering program with UMass-Amherst
  • Teacher Licensure programs available from pre-K through 12th grade
  • MCLA Gallery 51: college managed art gallery in downtown North Adams
  • Berkshire Hills Internship Program (BHIP) unites students in the Arts with professionals at the cultural venues in the Berkshires.
  • Berkshire Cultural Resource Center (BCRC): Housed in MCLA Gallery 51, the BCRC administers the B-HIP program and provides the region's arts community with training, resources, access, and marketing support to artists, arts managers, arts scholars, and arts-related entrepreneurs.
  • Vast array of internship opportunities based on students major and interest.
  • Masters of Education and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)

Fall 2009 Enrollment:

  • 1,960 total enrollment including graduate students
  • 1,680 undergraduate students
  • 77% from Massachusetts, 15% from New York, 17 states represented
  • 60% female; 40% male
  • Admission Cycle: 1,690 freshmen applicants; 351 freshmen enrolled; 300 transfer applications; 160 transfer students enrolled (51% from community colleges)
  • Highest enrolled programs: English/Communications, Business, Education, Fine & Performing Arts, Psychology, Sociology
  • 990 students live on campus

Affordability:

  • 82% of MCLA students receive some form of Financial Aid
  • 15 million dollars in financial aid distributed annually
  • Merit scholarships available at the time of admission
  • MCLA offers tuition reduction through the New England Board of Higher Education(NEBHE) program www.nebhe.org.

Location:

  • Located in the Berkshires in the northwest corner of Massachusetts
  • City of North Adams , MA : population of 14,700
  • Three-hour drive from New York City and Boston
  • Closest major airport: Albany, NY (one-hour drive)
  • Three major ski resorts/areas within miles of campus
  • Mount Greylock, tallest peak in the state is located in North Adams
  • Home of Mass MoCA (world renowned contemporary art museum and complex)
  • Variety of recreational and cultural activities in the area

Admission:

  • Rolling Admission; applications are reviewed beginning in early December for fall admission
  • Spring admission: applications are reviewed beginning in October for January enrollment
  • Fast-Track admission is rolling based on module start dates.
  • Admission criteria for first year student is based on high school record, SAT I or ACT scores and personal statement Transfer student admission based on academic performance at previous college (s).
  • Early Action (non-binding) for fall enrollments: December 1 deadline
  • Average high school GPA for entering freshmen class of fall 2009: 3.1, SAT I: 1,042

Recent Speakers:

  • Paul Rusesabagina, author of An Ordinary Man, Public Policy Lecture Series 2009
  • NPR Special Correspondent Charlayne-Hunter Gault, Hardman Lecture Series 2009
  • New York Times columnist David Brooks, Hardman Lecture Series 2008
  • Senator John F. Kerry, Commencement speaker 2008
  • Massachusetts State Attorney General Martha Coakley, Commencement speaker 2007
  • Senator Edward Kennedy, Commencement speaker 2006
  • Mariane Pearl, French freelance journalist and widow of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, Hardman Lecture Series
  • Bob Simon of CBS News' 60 Minutes, Hardman Lecture Series
  • Ghanashyam Ojha, senior reporter, Kathmandu Post, Nepal, Daniel Pearl Fellow Journalist in Residence
  • Jonathan Kozol, award-winning author in education and urban issues, Leadership Academy speaker
  • Former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis

To review our annual Federal Report of Safety and Security Information as required by the "Jeanne Clery Disclosure Act" please click here.