A new agreement with Alvernia University broadens access to graduate and professional education for Montgomery County Community College students, alumni, employees, trustees and Legacy Fund Board members, as well as their spouses and legal dependents.
Alvernia University and Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) are expanding their academic partnership, creating additional opportunities for members of the MCCC community to pursue graduate and professional education at Alvernia.
The expanded partnership builds upon the Preferred Academic Partnership established between the institutions in 2023, when Alvernia partnered with MCCC to offer accessible and affordable pathways to advanced degrees for students, alumni, employees and community members.
The new expanded agreement establishes special tuition rates for eligible students entering Alvernia’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program as part of the Fall 2026 cohort. Students who pay tuition directly will receive a rate of $450 per credit hour, while students whose tuition is billed directly to MCCC will receive a rate of $400 per credit hour. The applicable rate will remain fixed throughout the program for students who maintain continuous enrollment and good academic standing.
“MCCC was an obvious choice when we first established this partnership, and the growth of our relationship demonstrates what is possible when institutions work together around the needs of adult learners,” said Alvernia University Vice President for Graduate & Adult Education Gaetan T. Giannini, Ed.D. “By expanding eligibility and creating a highly accessible pathway to the Ed.D., we’re making it possible for more professionals and their families to continue their education, strengthen their leadership skills and advance their careers.”
“This expanded partnership with Alvernia University represents an important investment in lifelong learning, workforce development, and leadership development,” said Dr. Lianne Hartman, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Our continued collaboration with Alvernia reflects our shared commitment to creating affordable, flexible pathways that support academic and professional aspirations.”
Under the agreement, eligibility for Alvernia’s Preferred Academic Partnership benefits will extend beyond those included in the original agreement to members of the MCCC Board of Trustees and MCCC (PA) Legacy Fund Board, as well as spouses and legal dependents of MCCC faculty, staff, alumni, trustees and Legacy Fund board members.
The expanded partnership reflects both institutions’ continued focus on reducing barriers to advanced education, particularly for working adults balancing their education with professional and personal responsibilities. Eligible participants must meet Alvernia’s admissions and program requirements, and tuition benefits apply to qualifying adult, part-time graduate and adult education programs.
The partnership also provides eligible students with access to Alvernia’s tuition deferment program, including deferment related to employer tuition reimbursement when applicable.
Alvernia and MCCC first formalized their partnership in July 2023, expanding advanced-degree opportunities in the Philadelphia region. The original partnership provided MCCC students, alumni and employees with access to Alvernia programs designed to offer affordable tuition, flexible formats and convenient scheduling for working adults.