Admissions Information

Admissions Information

Welcome to Admissions at Springfield Technical Community College.  Whether you are looking for an education leading toward a professional career, or a solid first two years of a bachelor's degree, STCC is a wise investment in your future.

STCC is nationally recognized; major corporations such as IBM, Verizon, Microsoft, and Ford Motor Company have formed educational alliances with the College.  The National Science Foundation, which awards very few grants to community colleges, has awarded 20 grants to STCC for projects such as building specialized labs, and has named STCC as the National Center for Telecommunications Technologies.

Over 25,000 men and women have graduated from STCC in the past 36 years, prepared for the challenges of employment in their chosen field, or continued their education at colleges and universities in this area and throughout the country.

STCC maintains an open-door admission policy; however, individual academic programs set their own requirements for admission.  For instance, although admission to the College requires a high school diploma or its equivalent, admission to the Nursing program requires previous completion of algebra 2, biology and chemistry with labs, and SAT scores.  Even with this background, admission is competitive, with as many as 400 applicants competing for 80 or fewer openings in the program.

Due to state budget cuts, the Dual Enrollment program has been cut.  STCC realizes that some high school students in their junior and senior year may still wish to take college courses early.  For these students we have created an Early College program.  Students who wish to participate should have permission from their parents, their high school, and STCC.  Please call the Admissions office at 755-3333  for further information.

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Out of State And International Students

Out-of-state residents and non-United States residents should have applications completed before August 1.  International students may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, if English is not the primary language spoken in their country.

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Placement Testing

As part of the admission process, incoming students are required to take placement tests in English, mathematics, reading, and keybarding.  Since the test results are used to advise and schedule students into the appropriate course levels, the tests must be taken prior to registering for classes.  If a student who has been accepted into a degree or certificate program scores below college level on the STCC placement tests, he or she must enroll in developmental courses.  This will usually lengthen the time necessary to complete the desired program.

Testing & Assessment Web Site

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Fresh Start Status

A student who is returning to STCC after at least two years away from the College may apply for a fresh start status in order to begin a new quality point average.   All prior STCC credit that meets the degree and grade requirements of the current program will be changed to a grade of TS.  Fresh Start status does not apply to financial aid requirements.

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Joint Admission

STCC participates in the Joint Admission program with the Massachusetts public colleges and universities.  This program guarantees participating students admission to the Massachusetts public institution of their choice, provided they graduate from an approved major at STCC with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.  These students are subject to the program requirements in effect at the senior institution when they enroll at STCC, and must earn their associate degree at STCC within five years of enrolling in a degree-granting program.

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Tuition Advantage

The Tuition Advantage Program is available to all Joint Admission students who graduate with a 3.0 QPA or higher, and transfer to a Massachusetts public institution with which they are participating in the Joint Admission Program.  These students are entitled to a reduction of tuition of one third the in-state rate, whether or not they are Massachusetts residents.

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Challenge Exams

STCC may award up to 45 credits to individuals who successfully complete examinations in specific subject areas given through the College Level Examination Program, or a series of challenge exams developed by the College.  Credits earned through CLEP may allow the College to waive introductory courses.  Only students enrolled in an STCC degree or certificate program may receive CLEP or Challenge credits.

Testing & Assessment Web Site

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Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield

STCC is a participating member of this eight-college consortium, including American International College, Bay Path College, Elms College, Holyoke Community College, Springfield College, Western New England College, and Westfield State College.   Through cooperative planning at the presidential level and committees at different administrative levels, CCGS provides numerous benefits to students and the Greater Springfield community.

All STCC students and faculty have immediate access to the full library collections of the public and private institutions in CCGS, numbering over one million volumes.

Also, through cross-registration, a CCGS student taking at least six semester hours in a degree program may enroll at another college for any regular-term course that is nor offered at his or her own institution, as long as the course is not over-enrolled.  The student is billed by the home institution.  At STCC, this cross-registration policy does not apply to continuing education, evening, or summer courses.  The CCGS cross-registration includes both an Army and Air Force ROTC program.

Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield

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Tech Prep / 2+2 Articulation

STCC is a member of Tech Prep West, a consortium of three community colleges and 28 secondary schools in the region.  Through this program, high school students can begin exploring pathways to careers that require technical training at the community colleges, and are given the opportunity to visit the colleges to learn more about the programs that interest them.  Staff at the colleges work closely with high school faculty and guidance counselors to provide a smooth transition for students into their postsecondary program choices.  In addition, many students may be able to receive college credit for some of their high school courses under terms of the 2+2 articulation agreements between STCC and the high school.

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Ability to Benefit

Students who have not completed a high school diploma or GED* may still apply for admission to STCC, provided they are at least 16 years of age. Applicants to a degree or certificate program will be required to undergo an Ability-to-Benefit assessment test and achieve the minimum score, as established by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants to degree or certificate programs must also meet any minimum prerequisites for admission specific to a particular program.

Note: Students who are planning to transfer to a 4 year institution should be aware that the 4 year institution may require a GED or high school diploma (or its equivalent) for admission. Students are advised to check with that institution for admission requirements. Information about obtaining a GED should be directed to the STCC Adult Basic Education Center.)

* Any equivalency as determined by the Massachusetts Department of Education.

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