STCC to offer online business degrees

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – To better address the needs of students, Springfield Technical Community College in January will offer an online option for its two most popular business degree programs.

STCC already has online courses, but the business transfer and general business degree programs represent the first 100 percent online degree options at the college.

The online option, open to Massachusetts and Connecticut residents, will appeal to students looking for flexibility and convenience, said Leona Ittleman, dean of the School of Business and Information Technologies. Students who live far from the STCC campus may want to take their classes online. The program begins at the start of the next spring semester, Jan. 22.

“The student does not have to come to campus on a particular day and doesn’t have to fight traffic,” Ittleman said. “They can take an online class at 11 p.m. or they can do it Sunday afternoon, or any other time.”

Students who would rather take classes on campus will have that option for both degree programs. The cost is the same, whether students take online or on-site classes.

Ittleman said some students prefer to take a mixture of online and on-site classes, which will continue to be an option. Students enrolled in either online degree program also can attend classes on campus during the semester, Ittleman said.

Dr. John B. Cook, president of STCC, said the online degree programs represent an effort to make education accessible.

"With an access mission, we know online is incredibly valuable for so many of our students who work and raise families. With these online options, STCC is enhancing access, and I am grateful to our faculty and staff for developing these new opportunities," Cook said.

The student does not have to come to campus on a particular day and doesn’t have to fight traffic. They can take an online class at 11 p.m. or they can do it Sunday afternoon, or any other time. Leona Ittleman, dean School of Business & Information Technologies

Students who enroll in the business transfer program will be on track to transfer to a Massachusetts public or private college or university to pursue a bachelor’s degree. While both programs include courses in accounting, finance, marketing and management, the transfer option includes classes that will satisfy MassTransfer requirements of four-year state institutions, including liberal arts, math and science courses that are not part of the general business degree program.

The four-year colleges and universities that have transfer agreements with STCC have committed to accepting all of the credits from students with business transfer degrees.

To find out more about the business transfer program, visit www.stcc.edu/explore/programs/btcm.as.

For more information about the general business degree program, visit www.stcc.edu/explore/programs/business.as.

“These are our two largest business degrees,” Ittleman said. “Business transfer has a very large enrollment and general business is not far behind.”

Depending on their schedules, students may complete either program in two years and, upon completion, will earn an associate in science in business administration.

Interested in pursuing an online business degree? Visit www.stcc.edu/apply to apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

Founded in 1967 and located on 35 acres of the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, STCC is a major resource for the economic vitality of Western Massachusetts. As the only technical community college in Massachusetts, STCC, an Achieving the Dream Leader College, offers a variety of career programs unequalled in the state. STCC’s highly regarded transfer programs in business, engineering, liberal arts, science and technology continue to provide the most economical options for students pursuing a four-year degree. With an annual enrollment of more than 7,700 day, evening, weekend and online students, STCC is a vibrant campus rich in diversity.

For more information about STCC, visit www.stcc.edu. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@S_T_C_C).

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 755-4812, jdanko@stcc.edu

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