Mission

A Bay Path University education empowers undergraduate women and graduate women and men to become leaders in their careers and communities with an innovative approach to learning that prepares students to flourish in a constantly changing world.

The Bay Path experience is nothing less than transformational. Our women-only undergraduate programs and our coeducational graduate programs are offered both on campus and online, providing a flexible, 21^st Century education for learners at all stages of life and career. Bay Path students find a supportive and diverse community, close mentoring, and rigorous preparation for success in a complex and globally interdependent society. Students graduate with the applied knowledge, portable skillset, and confidence to thrive in their professions, identify and realize their dreams, and make a lasting difference in the world.

History of the University

When Bay Path University first opened its doors to students, there were typewriters and calculating machines in the classrooms. Today, we live in a world driven by iPads, mobile phones and laptops. Things may change, but throughout Bay Path’s 100-year-old plus history, it has been true to its core promise—of providing innovative, career-focused educational programs that have evolved in response to the economic, cultural and technological influences of our time.

Founded in 1897 as the Bay Path Institute, Bay Path’s first location was at the corner of State and Dwight Streets in downtown Springfield, MA. For decades, it experienced both educational and financial success, becoming one of the largest and most respected co-educational business schools in the region. Known for its accelerated 48-week format and strong education programs, particularly business management, accounting, teaching and finance, Bay Path’s growth prompted a move in 1920 to a new site located at 100 Chestnut Street in Springfield, MA. There, it flourished for nearly 20 years increasing to 1200 students just prior to 1941.

History interceded with World War II, profoundly impacting Bay Path. All young, able-bodied men enlisted for the effort; meanwhile, young women were working on the factory floor to company offices in positions unimaginable before the war. The future would never be the same.

Noticing there was an opportunity to expand the role of women in business, Thomas Carr, a leading Springfield businessman, purchased Bay Path Institute in 1945. He made tremendous changes including: shifting Bay Path to all-women, changing the name to Bay Path Secretarial School for Women, and, most importantly, moving Bay Path to a new location in Longmeadow, MA. In 1949, it became Bay Path Junior College and was chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to award the Associate in Science degree. President Carr was instrumental in expanding the reputation of Bay Path by initiating nine major building or renovation projects and increasing the number of academic majors.

In 1968, President Thomas Carr stepped down from his leadership position. He was succeeded by President Douglas Perkins, who resigned after three years to pursue a position with the Federal Land Bank.

In September 1971, Dr. A. Randle Elliott became Bay Path’s third president. Dr. Elliott was a scholar and dedicated to enhancing the academic reputation of Bay Path, as well as broadening the College’s offerings to the community and non-traditional women.

The fourth president of Bay Path came from the ranks of the faculty. In 1979, Dr. Jeannette Wright took the helm and ushered in an era of profound change from reengineering the curriculum to petitioning the Commonwealth to allow Bay Path to award Bachelor’s degrees. At that time, the name was officially changed to Bay Path College. Dr. Wright served for 15 years, until her untimely passing in 1994.

A search committee was convened and selected Dr. Carol A. Leary as the fifth president of Bay Path College. Under her leadership, Bay Path underwent momentous changes including: the launching of the annual Women’s Leadership Conference (1995); the establishment of the One Day A Week Saturday program for adult women (1999); the founding of the graduate school which now has over 25 degrees and certificates (2000); significant campus building renovations (Blake Student Commons, Carr Hall, Elliott Hall, and Mills Theatre); the building of the Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center (2015); and the creation of the American Women’s College Online (2014-2015), among others. In addition, one of the most significant milestones in Bay Path’s history was achieved: as of July 1, 2014 the name was changed to Bay Path University. This begins a new evolution in Bay Path’s history, one that includes multiple campus sites, over 3300 students, and an online international presence that is broadening the reputation and solidifying the future of the University.

Profile

Bay Path University, an independent and not-for-profit institution, has a history of providing relevant education and quality degree programs that respond to the needs of the workplace and the demands of lifelong learning. The University offers degrees at four instructional locations and online. The main campus is located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts with other instructional locations in East Longmeadow, Sturbridge and Concord, Massachusetts. The administrative offices for the American Women’s College Online, which offers associate and baccalaureate degree programs for adult women students around the world, are located in Springfield, MA. The University enrolls more than 3,000 students in the undergraduate program for women and the Graduate College for men and women.

For more information about Bay Path University and our academic programs, visit “About Us” at http://www.baypath.edu/about/.

Bay Path University Institutional Learning Outcomes

Certain shared learning objectives, called the Institutional Learning Outcomes (ILOs), underpin every Bay Path University program. The outcomes listed below serve as a learning framework for all curricular experiences across degree level at Bay Path University. The ILOs additionally serve as a measurement standard by which Bay Path University can evaluate the effectiveness of our academic programs. Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) and Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs), listed under each degree program in the Catalog, align with one or more of the Institutional Learning Outcomes. Skills and abilities related to the Undergraduate Core Curriculum, which also align to the ILOs, can be found in the Catalog under Core Curriculum.

For questions about these ILOs, how they relate to student learning, or how they are used for assessment, please contact your advisor, or the Office of Academic Affairs at acadaffairs@baypath.edu.

Instructional Locations

Main Campus
588 Longmeadow Street
Longmeadow, Massachusetts 01106

The main campus is home to the Residential College and traditional student resources, including Hatch Learning Commons, the Fleming Book & Gift Center, and a full service dining facility. Select on-ground programs within with graduate population and The American Women’s College also offered on the main campus.

Additional Information

Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center
One Denslow Road
East Longmeadow, Massachusetts 01028

Bay Path University’s state-of-the-art Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center opened in 2015. The 58,000 square foot building serves the institution by housing many graduate degree programs offered at the institution, including but not limited to the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and Master of Occupational Therapy programs.

Additional Information

Main Campus Buildings

Academic Buildings

The major academic buildings on the Longmeadow campus include d’Amour Hall, Carr Hall, Elliott Hall, Catok Learning Commons and Hatch Library. All buildings provide access to computers for Bay Path students including wireless for iPads and AirServer. All buildings contain classrooms and computer labs; Carr Hall holds the science laboratories as well as Mills Theatre, which seats approximately 300. Faculty offices are located in Carr Hall, Elliott Hall, and the Emerson Houses.

The Philip H. Ryan Health Sciences Center in East Longmeadow, MA houses the graduate programs in education, human and health sciences including occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, education, psychology and genetic counseling. The Center contains classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, and a café.

Blake Student Commons

The hub for campus activity is the Blake Student Commons, a gathering place and welcoming center for students and visitors. The multifunctional Blake Student Commons is the site for numerous events and club meetings throughout the year. It also includes the main campus dining hall with multiple food stations, the Carpe Diem Café, a small theatre, bookstore (see below), fireplace lounge, game room, community bulletin boards for postings, student mailboxes, the Athletics Department and the Sullivan Career and Life Planning Center. Open days and evenings, the Blake Student Commons is wired for computer and network accessibility, provides computer workstations for the Bay Path community, and features an information kiosk with an electronic bulletin board.

Fleming Book and Gift Center

Bay Path University partners with Follett Books to maintain a supply of all books used for courses. Book lists for courses are generated by academic departments. The Fleming Book and Gift Center serves all campus locations as well as online students via telephone, email, and direct mail services. Students are responsible for purchasing the books needed for each course. The store accepts credit cards and has a buy back policy. In addition, the store offers University apparel and accessories (orderable online as well), supplies, and products and items for the residence hall and technology.

Sullivan Career & Life Planning Center

The Sullivan Career & Life Planning Center is on the lower level of Blake Student Commons. The career center serves all members of the Bay Path Community, including undergraduate and graduate students, alumni and community partners. We provide life-long career development services, virtually and on-ground. The Carpe Diem Career Network, Bay Path’s premier network for internships, employment opportunities, events, resources and career coaching, is managed through this office. 

Catok Learning Commons

The Catok Learning Commons is home to the IT Unified Help Desk, which can provide walk-in technology assistance to students. Catok also houses the Center for Online and Digital Learning. The Center for Online & Digital Learning provides dedicated teaching and learning support services for faculty and students engaged in online learning and technology-enhanced learning at Bay Path. This includes formally orienting new faculty and students to online learning, instructional design services for faculty, supporting faculty and students’ work with educational technologies like the Canvas and the iPads, as well as support for the University’s digital badging program.

Hatch Learning Commons & Bashevkin Center for Academic Excellence

The recently renovated Hatch Learning Commons, home to library services and online & digital learning, offers an inviting atmosphere, not only for individual study, but also collaborative learning in our group study rooms. Library resources include an up-to-date collection of over 500,000 items, which have been carefully selected to support your academic success. Bay Path students may also borrow recreational items such as popular fiction books or DVDs.

In addition, students may borrow items in person from the other academic libraries of the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield, from the Storrs (Longmeadow Public) Library, or through free interlibrary loan.

Our website offers 24/7 access to over 100 online databases, featuring full-text articles from thousands of scholarly journals and major newspapers. Whether on or off campus, students with Internet access can view over 350,000 ebooks and other electronic resources, including high-quality, course-related web sites and online tools for citation, research, and writing help. Ready reference collections and space to use them are also provided and staffed by Hatch librarians at Bay Path’s campuses in East Longmeadow, Sturbridge, and Concord, MA.

We are dedicated to helping our students complete research assignments or find library resources by phone, email, and also in person. At least one professional librarian is on duty whenever the library is open. Librarians at Hatch Learning Commons provide personalized service to every patron.

Hatch librarians also collaborate with Bay Path faculty in teaching information literacy skills required for the 21st Century workplace and valuable for lifelong learning by integrating with both our Traditional and TAWC programs.

Student Academic Support Services provides free peer tutoring services to Bay Path University students. Tutors are available by appointment through the MyBayPath portal. Peer content tutors can support students in writing, math, and across every traditional undergraduate discipline offered by the University. Student Academic Support Services also offers support from professional academic coaches in the areas of math, writing, MTEL, ESL, and general study skills. In addition to peer tutoring and Academic Coaches, they also offer academic workshops to help students succeed. 

Hatch Learning Commons is open seven days a week year round; current hours are posted on the website.

International and Multicultural Center

The International and Multicultural Center serves as a cultural resource for students, faculty, and staff. The Center provides guidance, support and services for current and prospective students. It offers space for students to connect with other students along with faculty and staff, and serves as one of the campus resources available to assist students during their journey at Bay Path. Through creative and innovative programs, the Center enhances cultural knowledge and produces a deeper appreciation for diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community. Campus Location: North Hall, First Floor.

Mills Theatre

Mills Theatre, a gift of Ada C. Mills, is home to the Bay Path University Performing Arts Department. This state-of-the-art facility features ample seating, an advanced sound system, updated electrical lighting bay, and air conditioning to support its classroom and performing arts functions. Handicap accessible, the floor plan also has specially-designed handicap seating. Mills serves as a theatre-style classroom with retractable tablet desks and presentation equipment.

Computer Facilities

Bay Path University is committed to providing the latest in campus computing, networking, and telecommunications facilities and services. Academic resources include more than 200 PCs available to students in several computer labs, the Catok Learning Commons, residence halls, 2020-2021 Hatch Library, and public clusters. By using any networked computer, students have access to information technologies such as e-mail and the internet through the campus network portal (my.baypath.edu). A variety of online information resources from Hatch Library are also available via the My Bay Path portal. Students may reach the IT Help Desk Service by phone at (413) 565-1487 or x1487 on campus, or electronically via e-mail at its@baypath.edu to submit an automated electronic service ticket. This service provides students with a single point of access for assistance with computing questions. Computer labs are also available when classes are not in session.

Bay Path Mobile App

Launched in 2016, Bay Path University has a free app that's downloadable in either the App Store or Google Play Store for Apple and Android devices. Use the app to stay connected to Bay Path and join campus discussions, gain access to campus information on the go, register for classes and events, organize assignments, and view listings of Bay Path's student services and clubs. The app can be downloaded here.

Athletics Facilities

Farmlea Athletic Fields

The athletic fields, including the Ryan Soccer Field, are located approximately one-half mile south of the main campus off of U.S. Route 5, and are the home of the Bay Path Wildcats outdoor athletics teams. On this site, there are regulation soccer and softball fields, a challenge course, and a walking and jogging track. The Grandchamp Field House has locker rooms and meeting rooms for Bay Path and visiting teams.

Breck Fitness Center

Connected to the Blake Student Commons is the Breck Fitness Center. Open to the entire Bay Path community, the Center has a fitness room equipped with Nautilus and weight equipment, a large exercise/aerobics room, dance studio, and a 30-person conference room for informal wellness, health management, and nutrition classes. A personal trainer maintains weekly office hours and can schedule special appointments upon request. Breck also has offices for the student engagement staff including: the Assistant Dean of Student Success, Dean of Students, Director of Residence Life & Learning, Director of WELL & Community Life, Director of Special Programs, Executive Director of Multicultural Affairs & International Student Life, and the Athletic Director.

Campus Maps

Main Campus (Longmeadow)

Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center (East Longmeadow)