Berkshire Community College Hospitality Degree Programs
Berkshire Community College appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Small Colleges for Hospitality Administration and Management.
There are two options in hospitality degrees at Berkshire Community College that include the Associate of Science in Hospitality Administration Career Option and the Associate of Science in Hospitality Administration Transfer Option. While enrolled, students can also earn a Certificate in Culinary Arts if their interests propel them toward work in the restaurant industry.
Students who enroll in the Hospitality Administration Transfer Option (A.S.) program will earn a degree that prepares them to move on into four-year university programs in hospitality and related areas. To complete the associate’s degree program, students must complete at least 29 credits in hospitality courses and 32 credits in general education courses.
Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.00 in the program to earn the degree, as well as complete a core competencies portfolio, participate in 30 hours of health & fitness programs, and take four units of a university forum class. Major-specific classes include Principles of Accounting, Introduction to Hospitality, Food Service Management, and Hospitality Law.
Students are allowed to choose a hospitality elective to complete their major requirements, but the college recommends that students take Hotel Management to satisfy that course. For the humanities requirement, program administrators recommend that students take Spanish. By the conclusion of study, students will obtain their food protection manager certification.
Meanwhile, students who are interested in the Hospitality Administration Career Option (A.S.) program will work toward graduating and immediately entering the workforce in hospitality rather than continuing their college careers at a four-year university. Program courses differ somewhat from those offered in the Transfer Option program, so students should examine both programs to determine the best route for their career goals.
Classes required in the program include a Hospitality Seminar, Cooperative Education, and Fundamentals of Computer Literacy. Like the Transfer Option program, the hospitality degree with the Career Option pathway also allows students to take a class of their choice. However, the college recommends that students take Hotel Management for that elective.
At the conclusion of study, students will be able to apply their knowledge to any entry-level career in the lodging and foodservice industries. Expected outcomes of the program also include being able to communicate effectively in written and oral communication, as well as being able to demonstrate professional behavior and leadership qualities.
About Berkshire Community College
Berkshire Community College was established in 1960 in Berkshire County and was the first publicly funded community college in the state. The campus was located at a high school for more than a decade until it moved to a new campus on West Street in 1972. Around 3,000 students attend the college each year in associate degree and certificate programs. Most of the students who attend are from Massachusetts and are local to Berkshire County.
In addition to the 3,000 students enrolled in degree and certificate programs at the college, there are also more than 5,000 students taking workforce development and non-credit courses. The majority of students enrolled are more than 23-years-old. The official mascot of the college is the Flacon. Students can participate in club sports like cross country running, soccer, and basketball, as well as participate in local excursions for snowshoeing and hiking.
Berkshire Community College Accreditation Details
Berkshire Community College was first accredited in 1964 by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Regional accreditation allows the institution to award college degrees, and Berkshire Community College offers associate’s degrees, as well as certificates, to its students. Accreditation also allows students to participate in federal student loan programs and receive financial aid for their tuition costs.
The college is governed by a Board of Trustees that helps make decisions about the college’s administration and delivery of programs, and the school is also approved by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to operate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Other governing bodies include the BCC College Senate, the BCC Student Government Association, and the BCC Foundation.
Berkshire Community College Application Requirements
The first step to applying at Berkshire Community College is completing the admissions application online. Students must submit a GED transcript or official high school transcript. The admissions team will notify students of their acceptance status once all required documents have been received. Students with questions about applying can contact the college’s Admissions Office. Once accepted, students must take the Accuplacer test for English and math placement.
Students who have already taken college-level mathematics and English and received a grade of C or better might not need to take the placement test. International students who apply can take ESL classes that enhance the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills a student has and are welcome to apply. The college also offers accommodation for prospective students with disabilities and encourages students to inquire with the Disability Resource Center for information on options and needs.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Berkshire Community College suggests that attending a community college for the first two years of higher education can save a student thousands on tuition costs. For Massachusetts residents, tuition is $26 per credit, the CSF fee is $173 per credit, and the technology fee is $24 per credit. In all, students pay $223 per credit. A student taking a full course load of 15 credits will pay $3,345.
Students who want to attend Berkshire Community College and aren’t from Massachusetts will pay $457per credit, which includes $260 in tuition, $173 for the college service fee, and $24 for the technology fee. An out-of-state student enrolled in 15 credits will pay $6,855 per semester for tuition and fees. Students may also need to pay program fees and health insurance fees, as well as pay for books and supplies.
Students who attend Berkshire Community College receive an average financial aid award of $5,000, which helps pay for academic fees and tuition. Students must complete their FAFSA form to qualify for tuition assistance. Students are encouraged to submit their form as early as possible to take advantage of monetary awards like grants and scholarships that don’t need to be repaid.
The college offers a total of 160 scholarships through its Berkshire Community College Foundation Scholarship program that total more than $300,000. Returning students and new college students are eligible for the scholarships, and qualifying means having a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75. Students who attend Berkshire Community College may also qualify for grants in the form of Federal Pell Grants or Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants.