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Three Simple Ways to Connect with CUNY Start & MATH Start

MATH START is an innovative CUNY programs that help Associate-Degree seeking students get a Strong Start in College.

MATH Start is an intensive and low cost program for students who need to increase their Math proficiency levels before starting credit courses. The program provides 8-18-weeks of rigorous preparation in academic math and college success advisement, giving students the opportunity to reduce or eliminate their developmental skills requirements in one semester.

Program Benefits

  • Students can enroll in semester-long, shorter 8-10 week cycles, or an intensive summer program
  • Low costs – shorter cycles cost just $35, and semester-long programs cost $75 (all fees include materials)
  • Free MTA MetroCards
  • Specially trained teachers & advisors to support your long-term college success
  • Saves tuition and financial aid dollars for credit courses that count toward your degree
  • Pathway to CUNY’s ASAP, a program that provides academic, financial & social supports & keeps on track to graduate on time.

Curriculum & Instruction

Math Start is based on CUNY Start’s curriculum and instructional approach. Building on students’ existing math knowledge, this course emphasizes conceptual understanding through in-depth study of core pre-algebra and algebra topics. The program also offers college success advisement where students explore and grow their academic identity and learn strategies to connect with campus resources and programs.

Class Schedules

MATH Start offers a full-time schedule where classes meet 25 hours/week and students attend both academic math and reading/writing and a part-time schedule where classes meet 12 hours/week and students attend either academic math or reading/writing. All students attend a weekly college success seminar led by their CUNY Start advisor.

Students will need to set aside additional time outside of class to complete homework assignments individually. Math and reading/writing tutoring is available.

Course Options

In Fall 2022, CUNY Start offers classes in-person (on campus), online (fully remote), and hybrid (a combination of in-person and online learning). All instruction is a combination of whole-class, individual, and small-group work.

Students taking in-person or hybrid courses must be fully COVID-19 vaccinated when classes begin. To learn about CUNY vaccine policies and important due dates to submit your vaccine verification, please visit https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/.

FAQ

This full-time day program meets 25 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Fall classes start in September and Spring classes start in March, and each session is 18 weeks long, which is equivalent to one full semester. If you have been admitted to LaGuardia Community College but have not yet registered for courses, ask your college advisor about CUNY Start or contact CUNY Start directly at cunystart@bcc.cuny.edu.

Both the college’s developmental courses and MATH Start build the skills needed for college-level study. The advantage of MATH Start is that study is intensive, affordable and designed for high school graduates and high school equivalency diploma recipients, adults who have been out of school, and anyone who wants to make a strong start in college.

You will reduce or eliminate your need to take additional developmental courses, and you will also be able to begin taking credit courses. This will help you get on track to earning your college degree in a timely fashion and being better prepared to succeed in college-level studies.

Students who take several developmental courses and use their financial aid to pay for them may run out of aid before completing a college degree. However, MATH Start is a low cost (only $35) program that allows you to save your financial aid award for college credit courses.

Our program aims to alleviate the financial burden of having to pay full cost for developmental courses. This way you can use your financial aid award for credit-bearing courses that count towards your degree.

Our program is evidence based and shows that students tend to build a stronger academic foundation if they focus exclusively on developmental courses for the semester. MATH Start students do not register for other courses during their time in the program.

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