Academic Resources

Learning Services

We provide support services for students already enrolled in the College, college-bound high school students, and adults returning to higher education, all of whom may need training or enhancement of basic skills.

Placement Testing
Assessing your skills and academic level is the first step to successful advising.  Based on your transcript and academic history, you may need to take some or all of our placement tests.

Individual Enrichment Program 
A three-week residential Summer Session offers courses in Learning Strategies, Writing for College and College Writing I, Mathematics for College (during the summer), and The Creative Arts: Methods and History (during the fall semester). Students are introduced to the campus and the surrounding area through a series of cultural and recreational activities. This is a specialized, intensive session specifically designed to help students make the transition from high school to college and to increase their likelihood of persisting and graduating from MCLA.

Students With Disabilities
Based on documentation, students may request reasonable accommodations for classes. Students are encouraged to meet with the Coordinator of Academic Support in Learning Services to clarify reasonable accommodations and to receive feedback on how to advocate for their needs with their instructors.

Skills Courses
Some students need to improve basic skills before enrolling in introductory courses or would like to review skills as academic support when taking introductory courses. The course work provides specific study and problem solving approaches to learning. Emphasis is placed on the development of efficient reading, writing and math skills.

Tutor Exchange Network
We offers tutoring to enrolled students through the Tutor Exchange Network (TEN). The network provides approximately 90 tutorial groups per semester. Tutorials are delivered in small groups by qualified peer tutors.

Writing and Research Center
Writing Associates work with students in various stages of the writing process.  Students must bring a copy of their assignment and a rough draft or outline of their paper.  Writing Associates provide constructive feedback, assistance with proofing, and assistance with citations. 

Adult Basic Education
The Northern Berkshire Adult Basic Education Program has been based at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for over 30 years. In that time it has continuously helped many area adult learners achieve their academic goals. We offer classes in Adult Basic Education (ABE), preparation for the official GED exam, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and related Adult Basic Technology.

Please contact Theresa Miller at (413) 662-5309 or t.miller@mcla.edu