Selective Program Requirements

The college offers a number of selective admission programs, outlined on the following pages. Selection for these programs is very competitive and a student’s past educational achievement is measured against all other applicants. Students are strongly advised to not apply to more than one selective program per term of desired entry. For students in need of guidance determining their career path, the college offers career exploration opportunities.

Admission to MWCC’s selective programs requires additional application components and must be evaluated for acceptance by the admission committee for that program. Space is limited, the process is competitive, and not all applicants will be granted admission. In addition to all prerequisites required for consideration, the admission committee reviews any additional relevant academic coursework, applicable professional licensures and relevant work history if considered by the program. All applicants must attend a mandatory information session within one year of the program's application deadline. Program applications displaying all deadlines and program requirements are available in the Admissions Office at the Gardner campus, as well as on the college's website.

Applicants must submit all official documentation and demonstrate minimum requirements for consideration no later than the close of business on the posted deadline date to be considered for acceptance. Coursework in progress at the time of deadline will not be used to meet minimum requirements. If the posted deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a holiday, the effective deadline will be the close of business on the next business day. The college may return applications received after the posted deadline without review. Incomplete applications submitted prior to the deadline will not be considered for review. All applicants will be notified of the admission decision by mail approximately 60 days following the application deadline. If selected for admission, students will be required to submit a nonrefundable deposit with their confirmation of acceptance. Students admitted to selective programs must attend a mandatory orientation/welcome session prior to the start of classes; no exceptions will be made. If an applicant is accepted, proof of immunization will be required and must be received prior to class registration. Applicants should refer to the program application form for a list of these requirements. Students previously convicted of a felony may not be eligible for professional licensure or placement in clinical settings. Certain clinical sites may require drug testing for some MWCC health profession academic programs. Students may not co-enroll in more than one selective program at any given time.

CORI/SORI (Criminal/Sexual Offender Records Information) Policies

In order for a student to be eligible to participate in an academic community or clinical program that involves potential unsupervised contact with children, the disabled, or the elderly, the student may be required to undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and/or a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. Students found to have certain criminal convictions or pending criminal actions will be presumed ineligible to participate in such activities. The college is authorized by the Commonwealth’s Criminal History Systems Board, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 167-178B, to access CORI records.  The college shall refer to regulations issued by the Commonwealth’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services, 101 Code of Massachusetts Regulations 15.00-15.16, as guidance when assessing student CORI records. Sex Offender checks shall be performed pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 178C-178P. For more information regarding the college’s CORI/SORI check process, please contact the office of the Dean of Students.