District Partnership Models

Early College Access Program Models

Massasoit Community College’s Early College Access programming opportunities offer multiple pathways for high school students to earn college-level credit while still enrolled in high school. These pathways are designed to support equitable access, college readiness, and clearly defined academic and career outcomes through intentional partnerships with school districts.

All courses offered through Early College Access are equivalent to the same courses offered to matriculated Massasoit students, taught by credentialed faculty, and held to the same academic standards.

Individual Dual Enrollment Access (IDEA)

IDEA allows individual high school students to enroll in approved, transferable college-level courses at a reduced tuition rate. Students participate independently rather than as part of a cohort and may take courses during evenings, weekends, or online, subject to eligibility and course availability.

IDEA is ideal for districts seeking flexible access to college coursework without establishing a formal partnership model.

Dual Enrollment Pathways

Dual Enrollment Pathways are structured, cohort-based partnerships between Massasoit and a high school that allow students to earn up to 9 transferable college credits while completing coursework aligned to defined academic or career pathways. Courses are typically taught by Massasoit faculty on the high school campus or through approved instructional modalities that accommodate the high school schedule.

These pathways may stand alone or intentionally serve as an on-ramp to a state-designated Early College High School program.

Early College High School (State-Designation)

State-Designated Early College High School is a comprehensive, cohort-based partnership between Massasoit Community College and a public school district that has been jointly designated by the Massachusetts Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and Higher Education (DHE). Students complete a structured sequence of transferable college courses while simultaneously fulfilling high school graduation requirements.

Students may earn 12 to 60 transferable college credits, often following a pathway aligned with the Liberal Arts associate degree. While students may begin their college coursework at the high school, the program is intentionally designed to transition students to Massasoit's campus, where they become immersed in the college environment and have direct access to college resources, services, and campus life. This model prioritizes equity, college readiness, and clearly defined college and career pathways while providing students with an authentic college experience.