Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Named Teach-Out Partner for Hampshire College
April 15, 2026
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) has been designated as a teach-out partner
for Hampshire College, providing a clear, supported, and personalized pathway for Hampshire students to
complete their undergraduate degrees. MCLA has already reached a formal agreement
with Hampshire College and mapped the curriculum to ensure a seamless credit transfer,
so students can move forward with confidence and without losing ground on the work
they have already completed.
MCLA will accept all currently matriculated Hampshire students who are in good academic
and judicial standing. Application fees will be waived, and students can expect an
admission decision within 72 hours of submitting a completed application and required
supporting documents.
"Hampshire College has long been a place where curious, creative students come to
do serious work, and those students deserve a path forward that honors that," said
MCLA President James F. Birge. "At MCLA, we believe access to a quality liberal arts education is a public good,
and stepping up in moments like this is exactly what we are here to do. We have the
support structure in place to help students achieve their academic and personal goals,
including Success Coaches, Academic Support Services, our Wellness Center, and the
opportunity to live on campus and build community together. We welcome Hampshire students
to come together and build community here alongside our own, in an environment where
difference is celebrated, belonging is prioritized, and the full college experience
is available to them from day one."
MCLA will offer members of the Hampshire cohort the opportunity to live together in
comfortable campus housing, ensuring a supportive community, familiarity, and peer
connection outside the classroom as they make this transition.
As a publicly funded institution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MCLA benefits
from stable state funding and generous financial support that helps keep costs accessible
for students and families. That foundation means Hampshire students can transfer to
MCLA with confidence, knowing they are choosing an institution with the resources
and stability to support them through to graduation. MCLA will work to ensure that
Hampshire students can attend at the same cost of attendance or lower than they were
paying at Hampshire College.
This is not the first time MCLA has served in this role. The college has previously
partnered with the College of Saint Rose, Bard College at Simon's Rock, and Southern
Vermont College to ensure students could continue their education without interruption.
Hampshire students interested in transferring to MCLA should visit The Hampshire Cohort at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts or contact the Office of Admission at admissions@mcla.edu or 413.662.5410.
About MCLA
At MCLA, we're here for all — and focused on each — of our students. Classes are taught
by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive
on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed
to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered
to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to
public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence.
MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for
11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts
Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic
prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer
on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 for Top Performer
on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings
measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants