Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) in Boston is the second-largest community college in Massachusetts and one of the most diverse public institutions in New England. BHCC’s IT micro-pathway was designed especially for adult learners who want to launch a high-growth career as an IT Support Specialist in under three months. The course is delivered mostly online, with two in-person bootcamps focused on study support and exam preparation.
As of 2026, the Foundations of IT Support Specialist has achieved a 90% completion rate among 52 learners, with multiple graduates already stacking credits into higher IT credentials and connecting to regional employers through a validated hiring pipeline. By combining state-funded tuition and clear on-ramps into certificate and degree programs, the pathway prepares learners for a profession with a median wage of $57,910 ($27.84/hour) in the Greater Boston area.
“Creating and implementing this certificate was a collaborative process between the stakeholders with both student and employer input and that’s what makes this truly innovative,” said BHCC Dean of Workforce and Economic Development Kristen McKenna, in a program announcement by Citizens, which has committed $2 million to the Lab since 2021 to design micro-pathways with community colleges across the country.
About the micro-pathway
Foundations of IT Support Specialist (3 credits)
Explicitly designed as an on-ramp into the college’s stackable CompTIA Server+ and Network+ certificate programs.
- Launched in Spring 2023
- 2.5 months, part-time
- Hybrid (online + in-person) format made the pathway accessible to working adults
- Learners can earn 3 credits toward higher credential (after passing CompTIA A+ exam and meet Credit for Prior Learning requirements)
9 employers validated the model
Nine regional employers validated the curriculum and hiring pipeline:
- MA Teachers’ Retirement System
- Citizens-IT
- MS Walker
- Accurounds
- Boston Children’s
- Cengage
- Mass High Tech Council
- Lowell Public Schools
- Case FMS
State funding removes funding barrier
Massachusetts R3 (Rapid Recovery & Reemployment) program covers full tuition for eligible learners, removing the $2,700 barrier and aligning with the commonwealth’s strategy to rebuild careers disrupted by economic shocks.
Outcomes spotlight
90% of learners completed
- 52 total enrolled learners across closed cohort
- 47 successfully completed CompTIA A+ pathway (90% completion)
- 3 transferred to BHCC IT certificate / degree programs
- 5 did not complete
Learner spotlight
Featured in a 2025 story by MassLive, Camille Charleston, 29, didn’t have enough money to pay for college and didn’t qualify for federal financial aid because he’s in the U.S. on humanitarian parole, not a permanent resident. But Camille knew he wanted to make his dream of working in IT a reality. While working two jobs as a security guard and lab assistant, he completed the Foundations of IT Support Specialist micro-pathway at Bunker Hill Community College. “I can see the future now. I’m so happy to not only dream about it, but to live the dream,” he said.
About Community College Growth Engine
Education Design Lab’s Community College Growth Engine (Growth Engine) brings community colleges, employers, and learners together to design micro-pathways — high-quality, stackable credentials that can be completed in under a year and lead to employment in high-demand fields and progress toward a degree. Since 2020, the Lab has worked with over 130 community colleges in 20 states to design 300+ micro-pathways in booming sectors including healthcare, IT, and advanced manufacturing.
This Impact Snapshot was written by Stephanie Ogilvie Seagle, with data support from Dharma Wong and visual design by Cassie Lynott.
