Middlesex College Creates Pathway for Healthcare Professionals with Workforce Training to Earn Their Degree
The new Memorandum of Understanding offers students with industry certification or licensures eligibility to receive academic credit toward applicable degree programs, streamlining the educational process.
(l-r): Michelle Roman, dean, Health Professions; Dionne Miller, vice president, Academic Affairs; Natasha James-Waldon, executive director, Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning; Joananne Coffaro, vice president, External Affairs, Communications, and Advancement
Middlesex College students in pursuit of a certification in certain healthcare programs are now eligible to receive academic credits toward an applicable degree program as part of a new Memorandum of Understanding between the College’s Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning (WDLL) and Health Professions departments.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to creating meaningful pathways that connect workforce education with continued academic advancement,” said Dionne Miller, Middlesex College vice president of Academic Affairs. “By recognizing the rigorous learning and industry credentials students earn through our healthcare workforce programs, we are ensuring that their accomplishments can translate into college credit and accelerate their progress toward a degree.”
Students who successfully complete an approved WDLL program, earn the required industry certification or state licensure, and enroll in the Health Science or Allied Health Pre-Professional degree program at Middlesex College may be eligible to receive academic credit toward an applicable associate degree. The WDLL certification programs that will apply toward these credits include Dental Radiography, ECG/EKG Technician, Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician, and Phlebotomy Technician.
“I am excited about this new partnership, which recognizes the education, training, and professional credentials that healthcare professionals have already earned—creating a clearer pathway to receive college credit toward a degree,” said Middlesex College Dean of Health Professions Michelle Roman. “It is an important step in helping students build on their accomplishments, continue their education, and advance their careers.”
To be awarded credit, students must submit official documentation verifying successful completion of the required certification or licensure to the Office of the Dean of Health Professions. Upon verification and approval, the corresponding academic credit will be posted to the student’s Middlesex College transcript in accordance with applicable College policies.
“Creating intentional pathways between non-credit workforce training and credit-bearing academic programs is essential to supporting student success and meeting the growing demands of the healthcare workforce,” said Middlesex College Director of Workforce Development and Lifelong Learning Natasha James-Waldon. “By recognizing industry credentials for academic credit, we validate the knowledge and skills healthcare professionals have already achieved while reducing barriers to degree attainment. This approach not only accelerates educational and career advancement opportunities for our students but also strengthens our commitment to lifelong learning and workforce development.”
To learn more about Middlesex College Healthcare Professions, visit: https://middlesexcollege.edu/academics/healthcare-careers/
