Fitchburg State and MWCC create path for teacher education in the midst of teacher shortage

Photo | Fitchburg State University Fitchburg State University President Richard S. Lapidus, left, and Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven at the signing ceremony

Write a Comment

By Timothy Doyle

Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner and Fitchburg State University have created an agreement to ease the transfer process between the schools for students pursuing degrees in middle school or secondary education.

The program creates a path for students in certain MWCC associate degree programs to take education courses at Fitchburg State, then transfer to Fitchburg State as a junior to complete their undergraduate degrees in middle or secondary education.

“We are pleased to work with our partners at Fitchburg State to offer our students a new educational pathway,” Mount Wachusett Community College President James Vander Hooven said. “There’s an incredible willingness between Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State to bridge these divides. Our graduates stay local. Having that next opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degrees and go to work in our region is very important.”

This agreement comes at a time when the state is facing teacher shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and from before the pandemic, low pay compared to other professions.