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Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts

375 Church Street, North adams, MA 01247-4100 -

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Tel: (413)662-5000

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School Notes Overview:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is a public, residential, liberal arts college which offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. Its distinctive purpose is to provide a high quality alternative to private liberal arts institutions at an affordable cost. As one of the nine state colleges within the Massachusetts Public Higher Education System, it has been recognized for its special focus in the liberal arts. MCLA, previously known as North Adams State College, was founded in 1894 when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts created four new state normal schools. Through rapid growth in the 1960s, the College expanded its degree offerings to include liberal arts and career related programs. Today, MCLA offers twelve Bachelor's degree programs, numerous concentrations, four levels of teacher education certification, and a graduate program in Education.

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School Overview:

	Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts
County	Berkshire County, MA
Title IV Eligible	Yes
Carnegie Classification	Baccalaureate (Liberal Arts) Colleges I
Institution Level	4 or more years
Institution Control	Public
Full-Time Undergraduate	1,207 students
Part-Time Undergraduate	223 students
Full-Time Graduate	36 students
Part-Time Graduate	383 students

Total Enrollment	1,849 students
Total Dormitory Capacity	867 students
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid	85%
% Students Receiving Federal Grants	27%
Avg. Amount Of Federal Grants Received	$2,895
% Students Receiving State/Local Grants	37%
Avg. Amount Of State/Local Grants Received	$2,661
% Students Receiving Institutional Grants	43%
Avg. Amount Of Institutional Grants Received	$2,387
% Students Receiving Loans	69%
Avg. Amount Of Loan Received	$2,817

School Notes:

MCLA offers students the experience of a small private college at a public cost. MCLA provides students with an ideal learning environment, combining rigorous academic training with broad opportunities for learning outside the classroom.The unique natural beauty, diverse cultural community and extraordinary recreational opportunities of the Berkshires provide the ideal setting for a rich learning and growing experience.
MCLA offer rigorous professional programs in computer science and information systems, business administration and education, and abundant research opportunities in programs such as biology, physics and psychology. The educational philosophy is that students learn best by actively participating in their own education, and our curriculum provides opportunities for independent study, service learning, and study abroad.
MCLA has the good fortune to be located in the Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts, one of the most scenic, historic, and culturally rich areas in America . Situated in North Adams, a city of about 14,700 in the northwest corner of Berkshire County, we are close to the Vermont and New York borders, and within a three-hour drive of both Boston and New York City . Long a destination for vacationers, tourists, and second-home owners, the Berkshires offer an interesting mix of rustic charm and cosmopolitan sophistication. On MCLA’s doorstep, you will find incredible opportunities to broaden your horizons.
North Adams is home to the nation’s largest center for contemporary arts, MASS MoCA. Located within walking distance from the MCLA campus, MASS MoCA is situated on 12 acres with 27 buildings featuring unparalleled galleries and performance spaces in refurbished 19th century factory buildings.
Profile last updated: 07/07/2008.

In the News:

Discussions on arming police will continue (Berkshire Eagle)
posted on June 23, 2011 at 08:33:24 am
Thursday June 23, 2011 NORTH ADAMS -- Arming campus police officers at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts won't happen before students arrive in September, but the discussion leading up to any decision will continue over the next several months.
COUNTY-WIDE AWARD GOES TO AREA TEACHER (North Adams Transcript)
posted on June 16, 2011 at 07:21:11 am
Thursday June 16, 2011 North Adams Transcript NORTH ADAMS -- A local high school teacher has become the first recipient of the county-wide Berkshire County Educator Recognition Award. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, in conjunction with the Berkshire Compact and the Berkshire County Superintendents Roundtable, named Cynthia "Cyndi" Roper-Patenaude, who has taught English at C.
Tennis comes to MCLA (North Adams Transcript)
posted on June 15, 2011 at 08:27:54 am
Wednesday June 15, 2011 North Adams Transcript NORTH ADAMS -- The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts announced Tuesday the school is adding men’s tennis as a varsity sport. It will be instituted for the spring 2012 athletic season, but the team will play a non-traditional schedule as part of the Eastern College Athetic Conference, as well as the Massachusetts State Collegiate
MCLA adding men’s tennis (Berkshire Eagle)
posted on June 15, 2011 at 03:45:48 am
NORTH ADAMS -- The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts announced Tuesday that it is adding men’s tennis as a varsity sport.
No guns needed at MCLA (Berkshire Eagle)
posted on May 30, 2011 at 07:17:54 am
Thursday May 26, 2011 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts President Mary Grant and Director of Public Safety Joseph Charon are considering a plan to arm the college's police officers. It is expected to go before college's trustees when they meet today.