Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Application Deadlines for Fall 2013 Admission

December 1 - Early action application deadline; rolling admission cycle begins

March 1 - Regular decision application deadline, financial aid priority deadline

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts -- A Top Liberal Arts Institution

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the public liberal arts college within the Massachusetts state university system. The college traces its roots as far back as 1894, and today continues to expand its facilities and curriculum. MCLA ranks highly nationally in class size, student-faculty member collaborations, undergraduate research, and campus environment. "US News and World Report" also ranks the college among the "Nation's Top Ten Public Liberal Arts Colleges."

Undergraduate Education at MCLA

MCLA offers more than 50 programs of study designed to develop critical thinking and communication skills. The college's core curriculum combines traditional academics with current research and alternative paths that are designed to strengthen students' academic, personal, and professional skills.

Majors leading to the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) are available in the following areas: art; arts management; athletic training; biology; business administration; chemistry; computer science and information systems; education; English/communications; environmental studies; fine and performing arts; history; interdisciplinary studies; mathematics; philosophy; physics; political science and public policy; psychology; and sociology. A wide selection of minor areas of study, college-wide honors courses, and undergraduate research opportunities are also available. Internships, service learning activities, and travel courses are also highly encouraged.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities at MCLA

The MCLA Undergraduate Research Program pairs students with faculty mentors who support and assist with the development of original research. This independent scholarly activity takes place across the disciplines at MCLA, in the arts, sciences, and humanities. The program also provides research and travel grants to students.

Students present their research at the Annual Undergraduate Research Conference on campus, and may also apply to participate in the Massachusetts State Undergraduate Research Conference, or at NCUR, the National Conferences on Undergraduate Research, which rotates locations annually. MCLA is a member of COPLAC, the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, and many students also present at the regional COPLAC Undergraduate Research Conference each year.

Student Life at MCLA

MCLA supports personal growth and development through out-of-classroom experiences. The Student Government Association sponsors nearly 50 active student groups and organizations, designed to promote social skills, professional skills, and ethics, including the Biology Club, Dance Company, Entrepreneurial Club, Multicultural Student Society, Ski Club, Student Government Association and Writers' Guild. The campus also competes in 12 NCAA Division III sports.

Students may also participate in three on-campus media outlets. English/communications students produce a weekly newspaper, "The Beacon." WJJW is MCLA's student-run educational FM radio station that provides progressive, educational programming, contemporary and classical music, and local and national news and sports to the MCLA community and Northern Berkshire area. Students can also get involved with the campus's television production team, which offers positions such as director, camera operator, floor manager, technical director, on-camera talent, and more.

Active and Dedicated Faculty Members at MCLA

Faculty members at MCLA are highly qualified, dedicated professionals that represent a wide range of disciplines and expertise. They are committed to deepening student learning, and actively design their curriculums to integrate digital media, writing development skills, current issues, civic engagement, and an ever-present focus on the individual student.

Faculty members also regularly engage in current research within their disciplines, which they present on campus during the Brown Bag lecture series, as well as in national and international conferences and in journals. Recent faculty publications include "Celia's Robot" from Margaret Chang, "In the Eye of the Red-Tailed Hawk: An Essay on Love" from Donald Washburn, and "Calculus Success in 20 Minutes a Day" by Christopher Thomas.

Financial Aid Opportunities at MCLA

The financial aid department at MCLA helps provide financial assistance to approximately 85% of undergraduate and graduate students. Many students receive a combination of grants, loans, and part-time employment. There are also several opportunities for alternative loans, payment plans, and scholarships. Tuition reduction programs are available from the New England Board of Higher Education (NEBHE) for students from the northeast who are enrolled full time in certain majors.

Scholarships are available to qualified students, largely based on their intended majors, academic achievements, or residency. Scholarship opportunities include the MCLA Presidential Scholarship for first year students with high academic standing, and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship for qualified Massachusetts high school students that rank within the top 25% in their school districts.

Located in a Region Rich with Culture and Natural Wonders

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is located in North Adams, Massachusetts, part of an area known as The Berkshires, which is a rich center for arts and culture with many gallery, and museum options within walking distance of campus, including MASS MoCA, one of the nation's largest contemporary art museums.

North Adams is also nestled in the heart of the Berkshire Hills and along the Appalachian Trail, and boasts the state's highest mountain peak, along with many state parks and natural wonders. National Geographic Traveler has named the area a Top 10 Worldwide Destination.

MCLA is located close to the New York and Vermont borders, within one hour of Albany, NY, two hours of Hartford, CT, and three hours of both Boston, MA, and New York City.

• Biological/life sciences
• Biology/Biological Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Biotechnology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Business/marketing
• Business Administration and Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Accounting
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• International Business/Trade/Commerce
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Management Information Systems
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Marketing/Marketing Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Communication/Journalism
• Communication
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Broadcast Journalism
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer and information sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Computer Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Education
• Education
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• English
• English
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Writing
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Creative Writing
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Literature
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Health professions and related sciences
• Athletic Training
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Cytotechnology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Medical Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Pre-Physical Therapy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• History
• History
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Interdisciplinary studies
• Interdisciplinary Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Law/legal studies
• Pre-Law Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Liberal arts/general studies
• Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Mathematics and statistics
• Mathematics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Natural resources/environmental science
• Environmental Studies
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Environmental Science
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Philosophy and religious studies
• Philosophy
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physical sciences
• Chemistry
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Physics
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Psychology
• Psychology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Public administration and social services
• Public Policy Analysis
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Social sciences
• Political Science and Government
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Sociology
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Visual and performing arts
• Visual and Performing Arts
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Art
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Music
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Fine and Studio Arts Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.
• Theater/Theater Arts Management
  Bachelor's Degree offered for this major.

• Tuition
• In-state tuition *$1,030
• Out-of-state tuition *$9,975
• In-district tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition costs are based on a full academic year typically extending from September to June.
• Fees
• Full-time student fees$7,495.00
• Room and board *$9,102.00
• Room only *Not Reported
• * Room and board charges vary according to board plan selected (i.e., 12-meal plan, 19-meal plan, etc.) and student level (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Other Payment Considerations
• Guaranteed tuition plan offeredNo
• Tuition pre-payment planNo
• Tuition payment plans offeredInstallments
• Student groups that qualify for full or partial waiver of tuitionEmployees or children of employees, Senior Citizens

• Gender
• Total Undergraduate Students1,673
• Male Student Percentage42%
• Female Student Percentage58%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic/Latino5.38%
• Black or African American8.13%
• White or Caucasian76.69%
• American Indian or Alaska Native.3%
• Asian.96%
• Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.24%
• Two or more races.54%
• Unknown4%
• Other Student Statistics
• International BreakoutNot Reported
• Out-of-state Students23% out-of-state student

• Men's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No Division 3 No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cross-country running Yes Division 3 No
• Equestrian sports Yes No No
• Football Yes No No
• Golf Yes Division 3 No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Skiing Yes No No
• Skiing (cross-country) Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 3 No
• Softball Yes No No
• Squash Yes No No
• Swimming Yes No No
• Tennis Yes Division 3 No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Weight Lifting Yes No No
• Wrestling Yes No No
• Women's Sports
• Sport Intramural Intercollegiate Scholarship
• Baseball No No No
• Basketball Yes Division 3 No
• Cross-country running Yes Division 3 No
• Equestrian sports Yes No No
• Football No No No
• Golf Yes No No
• Lacrosse Yes No No
• Racquetball Yes No No
• Rugy Yes No No
• Skiing Yes No No
• Skiing (cross-country) Yes No No
• Soccer Yes Division 3 No
• Softball Yes Division 3 No
• Squash Yes No No
• Swimming Yes No No
• Tennis Yes Division 3 No
• Volleyball Yes No No
• Weight Lifting Yes No No
• Wrestling Yes No No

• Faculty Breakout
• Total Faculty171
• Full-time Percentage49%
• Part-time Percentage51%
• Female Percentage50%
• Male Percentage50%
• Student:Faculty Ratio14:1 or 1,525 students to 110 faculty