MCC gets OK to offer online courses nationwide

Already a leader of online learning for more than 20 years, Middlesex Community College recently received approval from the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) to offer its online programs to students across the country.

NC-SARA is an agreement in 49 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands establishing quality standards for college-level distance programs, according to a press release issued by MCC.

More than 2,100 colleges and universities participate in the initiative nationwide.

“Our recent SARA approval allows us to further extend our reach beyond the Massachusetts border and promote highquality, affordable online learning opportunities to a national audience of online learners,” said Phil Sisson, MCC’S provost and vice president of academic affairs.

MCC successfully transitioned its spring 2020 coursework and student services to a remote and virtual setting due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In fall 2020, 95% of courses were moved online without compromising quality, according to college officials.

“Middlesex is not rushing to move to online learning like so many other schools,” said Matthew Olson, MCC’S dean of liberal arts.

“MCC has had general approval from our accreditor to offer distance education programming since back in 2003,” Olson said.

He added with the NC-SARA authorization, MCC has a “national stamp of quality” for both its online instruction and consumer protection policies.

MCC completed a voluntary process documenting the college’s quality standards for online college education to be approved, Olson said.

MCC joins other members in making an agreement to meet the common course quality and consumer protection standards the NC-SARA initiative requires.

MCC’S online program options for the initiative include an associate or certificate in psychology; liberal studies; fine arts; liberal arts and science; music; English literature; criminal justice transfer and law enforcement; fire protection and safety technology; travel services management; computerized accounting; business administration career, accounting, transfer and hospitality management; en