Pursue Your Goals with an Education that Understands Your Life…

The face of education is changing- literally. Many people think of college students as 18-22-year-olds who live on campus and attend school full-time; the truth is radically different. Consider these statistics about current college students:

37% are over the age of 25
64% have jobs

40% work full-time

24% have children or other dependents

Urban College knows that today’s college students not only look different, but they have different needs. The average age of our students is 36, and 92% are women. We know that our students have many responsibilities, working full-time, and balancing their roles as parents and caretakers.

“At Urban College, we understand that the traditional vision of a college student is out of date with today’s reality—a reality in which many students may have spent years in the workforce before returning to college and are already parents,” says Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández, President of Urban College of Boston. “We know that to meet the educational needs of modern learners, accessibility, affordability, and convenience are key.” (modified quote from How to Provide Adult Learners and Immigrant Women the Education They Need.)

Originally founded in 1993 by Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD), a leading Boston-based anti-poverty agency, Urban College is dedicated to opening new pathways to opportunity through flexible, individualized, and supportive education.

Flexibility is the Key to Success

At Urban College, we recognize that education is not a “one-size-fits-all” proposition, and our students have different schedules and needs- sometimes within their own college careers. That’s why we offer a variety of class formats.

Urban College offers flexible associate degrees and certificate programs to meet our students' needs.

Classes meet in online asynchronous, online hybrid, and flex formats. To accommodate different schedules, courses are held both in the day and evening.

Study at Your Own Pace

At Urban College, students control the pace of their learning. Most of our students study part-time and choose a schedule that works for them.

Urban College students can enroll in traditional full-semester courses or choose to take accelerated eight-week Fast Track sessions, which allow them to learn the same material and earn the same credits in a condensed period.

Urban College also offers courses in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, so students can accelerate or spread out their classes to fit their changing needs and schedules.

For Adzele Benoit, an Urban College graduate, flexibility was also about the number of classes she took at a time. For Benoit, this meant the freedom to **take one class at a time**.
“I started small. I didn’t start with four courses. I started with one, which was a good thing because I could pace myself with it.”
Like many Urban College students, Benoit went to school part-time, gaining confidence and good grades as she went.
“Eventually, I was going through college like drinking water. I felt very comfortable, had lots of support, and by the time I turned around, I was graduating.”

Individualized Education Doesn’t Mean You’re On Your Own

At Urban College, we understand that returning to school as an adult can feel overwhelming. That’s why we have designed our program to support our students on every step of their educational journeys.

Our faculty and staff understand our students and their needs.

“At Urban College of Boston, you will find faculty and staff who are multilingual, who were the first in their families to attend college, and who will demonstrate a high level of cultural dexterity,” says college president, Dr. Yves Salomon-Fernández. “Many of them have traveled similar paths to you. Our team is prepared to help you discover your unrealized potential and achieve your dreams.” (From President’s welcome in the course catalog)

We offer student success workshops that are designed to address common questions, concerns, and areas of resources. These workshops are offered throughout the year and in multiple languages.

The Learning Resource Center, including tutoring support, is available to students throughout the academic year. We also offer remote and in-person academic advising, tutoring, and technology support. Students and graduates can also access advising on transfer to four-year colleges.

Charting Your Own Path

The built-in flexibility at Urban College empowers students to approach their education in a way that makes sense or them. For some students, this may mean pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree after earning their Associates Degree at Urban College.

Urban College offers college transfer pathways to four-year degree colleges including an on-site bachelor’s completion program with Lesley University. Urban College also has agreements with Southern New Hampshire University, William James College, Lasell University, and Cambridge College.

For Adzele Benoit, her educational journey did not end at Urban College. “I got the diploma and I was like, I cannot lose momentum. I have to keep going with the energy that I have from Urban College”. With the support of advising staff, she applied and was accepted to multiple 4-year colleges and eventually earned her Masters’ degree.

Benoit credits Urban College with her success. “I always give Urban College credit for me being where I am today. Because without them, I don’t think I’d be here. A soft touch, with some love and care and then that push to be like ‘alright, I gave you enough. Here you go. You’re going into the world.”

It’s no surprise that Benoit has returned to Urban College as an instructor, using her experience, knowledge, passion to inspire and educate a new generation of Urban College students.

Building a Better Future

The benefits of a college degree are clear. In Massachusetts, those with an associates degree can expect to earn 21% more than someone with a high school diploma or GED. For those who continue on for a four year degree, the rewards are even more significant; those with a bachelor’s degree can expect to earn 78% more than those with only a high school diploma or GED.

The benefits do not stop with the student. Research has shown the positive impact on children of their mothers’ college attendance.

President Salomon-Fernández explains the importance to families of the education Urban College offers. “We know that children whose mothers went back to college—whether for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree— leads to higher educational attainment for their children.”

Start Your Journey to Success at Urban College

Urban College of Boston is a two-year private nonprofit higher educational institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Courses are offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. Course instruction is offered online, with synchronous, asynchronous, and flex formats. In-person opportunities and student support are also available.

Urban College opens new pathways to opportunity through individualized, supportive, and multilingual education that prepares a diverse community of learners to pursue career advancement and transform their lives. Their multilingual community and affordable online classes provide a supportive learning environment that guides students every step of the way.