UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College create new transfer pathway

Articulation agreement provides admission and junior standing for eligible Bristol CC graduates pursuing a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science

UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College (Bristol CC) have signed a new articulation agreement that creates a seamless pathway for graduates of Bristol's Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) associate degree program to continue their education through UMass Dartmouth's online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLT-MLS) program. 

The agreement is designed to help students advance their education while meeting growing workforce demands in healthcare and laboratory science on the SouthCoast. Under the partnership, Bristol graduates who complete their associate degree with a minimum 2.5 GPA will receive guaranteed admission to UMass Dartmouth's MLT-MLS program, transfer 71 credits toward their bachelor's degree, and enter with junior status. 

The fully online MLT-MLS program offers working professionals the flexibility to earn a bachelor's degree while continuing to build experience in the field. Through the articulation agreement, students can transition smoothly from Bristol Community College to UMass Dartmouth with a clearly defined academic pathway. 

Medical Laboratory Scientists play a vital role in healthcare, performing laboratory testing that supports the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. As healthcare organizations across the country continue to face staffing shortages, educational partnerships such as this one help create opportunities for career advancement while strengthening the healthcare workforce. 

"We are excited to partner with Bristol Community College to support Medical Laboratory Technicians in obtaining their bachelor's degree," said Kimberly Ouellette, associate teaching professor in UMass Dartmouth's Medical Laboratory Science Department. "The flexibility of our MLT-MLS online program allows students to work while earning their degree. This partnership will not only support a local community college and individual career advancement, but it will also address the staffing shortage of medical laboratory scientists that is impacting patient care across the nation." 

The agreement reflects a shared commitment between UMass Dartmouth and Bristol Community College to expand access to higher education, support student success, and strengthen the pipeline of qualified healthcare professionals throughout the region. 

Students interested in learning more about the transfer pathway or UMass Dartmouth's online MLT-MLS program can visit the program website or contact UMass Dartmouth Online for additional information.