Bay Path University Profile
Bay Path University Profile
Mission
A Bay Path University education empowers learners to become leaders in their careers and communities with an innovative approach to learning that prepares students to flourish in a constantly changing world.
In support of this university-wide mission, Bay Path University's Longmeadow campus is a women-only undergraduate learning environment, where students find a supportive and vibrant community, close mentoring, and rigorous preparation for success in a complex and globally interdependent society. Longmeadow campus-based students may also take courses in other learning environments, in consultation with their academic advisor.
The Bay Path experience is nothing less than transformational. Our undergraduate and graduate programs are offered both on campus and online, providing a flexible, 21st Century education for learners at all stages of life and career. Bay Path students find a supportive and vibrant 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
Bay Path's 125-year Plus History
Things may change, but throughout Bay Path’s 125-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 academic 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 working on the factory floor moved 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 its current 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 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 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 changes 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 launch of the annual Women’s Leadership Conference; establishment of the One Day A Week College for adult women; founding the graduate school offering master’s and doctoral degrees; the renovations of major buildings on campus including Blake Student Commons, Carr Hall, Elliott Hall, and Mills Theatre; the building of the Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center; and the creation of The American Women’s College. 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.
In February 2020, it was announced that Sandra J. Doran, J.D., would become the sixth president of Bay Path, succeeding Dr. Carol Leary. Formally inaugurated in April 2022, she immediately began building on the university’s history of change and access. Stepping into leadership at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Doran played a pivotal role in guiding the institution through an extraordinarily challenging period, sustaining a sense of community for students, faculty, staff, and alumni during a time of uncertainty and disruption.
Her presidency has also been marked by bold strategic vision, most notably her leadership in spearheading the acquisition of Cambridge College—an initiative designed to strengthen academic offerings, broaden access, and expand Bay Path’s reach. Throughout her tenure, President Doran has continued to advance Bay Path’s mission, reinforcing the University’s longstanding commitment to innovation, opportunity, and student success.
Historical Timeline
1897
Bay Path Institute opens in Springfield, MA, offering accounting and secretarial programs and quickly becomes one of the largest and most successful business schools in the Northeast.
1944
After surviving the Great Depression and World War II, Springfield executive Thomas Carr purchases the Institute.
1945
Carr moves the school to the Wallace Estate in Longmeadow, renames it Bay Path Secretarial School, and converts it to an all-women’s institution.
1949
The school becomes Bay Path Junior College and receives authorization to award the associate in science degree.
1988
The institution is renamed Bay Path College; in 1991, it gains approval to offer baccalaureate degrees in business, legal studies, and psychology.
1996
The first Women’s Leadership Conference is held in Springfield, featuring Elizabeth Dole and drawing more than 800 attendees.
1997
Bay Path acquires the 12-acre South Campus athletic fields, adding walking and jogging paths.
1999
The One-Day-A-Week Saturday College for adult women debuts in Longmeadow with more than 100 students in its first class.
2000
Bay Path gains approval to offer graduate degrees and launches its first master’s program in Communications and Information Management.
2003
The Central Mass Campus opens in Sturbridge/Charlton, expanding the One-Day-A-Week Saturday College and later adding graduate programs.
2007
The Eastern Mass Center opens in Burlington, serving the growing demand for the One-Day-A-Week program and offering graduate programs for women and men.
2012
The inaugural class of MS in Physician Assistant Studies is welcomed to campus; the first Cybersecurity Summit is held marking the launch of the MS in Cybersecurity.
2014
The American Women’s College (TAWC), the nation’s first all-women, all-online bachelor’s program, is launched; Bay Path also attains university status, becoming the first women’s university in Massachusetts.
2015
Bay Path dedicates the 58,000-square-foot Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center.
2017
The University launches its first doctoral program, the fully online Occupational Therapy Doctorate.
2020
The Board of Trustees approves the renaming of Deepwood Hall to Leary Hall.
2020
Sandra J. Doran, J.D., is named the sixth president of Bay Path.
2024
Bay Path University begins the acquisition of Cambridge College, full integration continues through 2025–2026.
2025
Bay Path launches Bay Path Online, a unified online undergraduate platform open to both women and men, bringing together legacy online programs.
2026
Bay Path finalizes the integration of Cambridge College programs and students, totaling over 4,000 students.
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 five instructional sites. The main campus is located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, with other instructional locations in East Longmeadow and Boston, Massachusetts, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and online. The Longmeadow campus's undergraduate program is women-only, and the online undergraduate programs and in-person, hybrid, and online graduate programs enroll men and women. The University enrolls more than 4,000 students across all its campuses.
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.
1. Specialized & Professional Knowledge and Skills
Gain and apply specialized knowledge and skills that prepare a graduate for professional and intellectual growth.
2. Communication
Develop and utilize content, in an appropriate and relevant format and medium, for delivery to applicable audiences. Demonstrate a receptiveness to content as well as feedback.
3. Leadership Development
Establish a sense of personal awareness through experiences to develop the skills of a lifelong learner, change-maker, and leader.
4. Theory to Practice
Demonstrate mastery and integration of ideas, methods, theory, and practice in a specialized discipline or field of study.
5. Research Skills and Experience
Demonstrate information literacy, and apply current research and scholarship in a specialized discipline or field of study.
6. Critical Analysis
Build a framework for critically analyzing data and information from a variety of sources for creative and innovative problem solving.
7. Ethical Reasoning
Recognize the impact of ethical decision-making and behaviors on peers and communities and within the discipline. Apply and exhibit ethical values within the discipline and global community.
8. Respect & Value of All
Embrace and demonstrate respect for everyone, with a strong commitment to fairness, and a responsibility to lead positive change toward a more just world.
Course Lengths & Modalities
Bay Path University offers undergraduate courses in various disciplines in traditional 16-week terms, as well as accelerated courses in 5-week, 7-week and 8-week terms. Among its graduate courses, Bay Path University runs 5-week, 8-week, and 16-week terms. Courses are offered fully in-person at various instructional sites, fully online asynchronously, fully online synchronously, and in hybrid formats, which combines some online learning with in-person instruction.
Divisions
To learn more about which academic programs are offered in each of the divisions listed below, please click ** here **. Please note that divisional availability is subject to change.
Bay Path Traditional Undergraduate
Dedicated exclusively to the education and empowerment of students who identify as female, the Traditional Undergraduate division at Bay Path University fosters academic, personal, and professional growth through a vibrant residential and commuter campus experience. Offering a variety of Associate and Bachelor of Arts and Science degrees, as well as non-credit and certificate options, the curriculum is carefully sequenced to guide students from foundational learning to advanced, upper-level mastery.
Bay Path Online (Undergraduate)
Embracing the needs of adult learners and working professionals, Bay Path Online empowers male and female students to achieve success in their careers and lives through highly flexible, accelerated degree completion programs. Offering more than 25 fully online, career-driven associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs, this division allows students to study anytime and anywhere—balancing work, family, and education without the need to commute. Courses are typically offered in accelerated seven-week sessions, supported by a generous transfer policy that allows students to apply up to 90 transfer credits toward their degree.
Bay Path Graduate
The Graduate division at Bay Path University offers over 50 career-oriented, relevant, and innovative master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, and graduate certificates designed for both women and men. Built specifically for working professionals who require quality, convenience, and real-world application, the division provides flexible scheduling options, including online and on-campus formats. Many programs feature accelerated eight-week sessions year-round, giving students the freedom to start when they are ready and adapt their education to their busy lives.
Cambridge College Boston at Bay Path University
The Cambridge College Boston at BPU division offers to adult men and women over 40 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and credit-bearing certificates delivered in on-campus and hybrid learning modalities. Undergraduate degrees offered at CC Boston at BPU include Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees developed specifically for, and scheduled conveniently for, working adults. At the graduate level, CC Boston at BPU offers a variety of master’s degrees and doctoral degrees, conveniently scheduled for adults working in their respective fields.
Cambridge College Puerto Rico at Bay Path University
The Cambridge College Puerto Rico at Bay Path University division provides over 10 master’s and doctoral degrees and graduate certificates to male and female adult learners in on-ground and hybrid modalities, with in-person classes scheduled conveniently on weekends. Student learning supports are available in Spanish and in English.
Cambridge College Global at Bay Path University
The Cambridge College Global at Bay Path University division provides a variety of undergraduate degrees, certificates, master’s and doctoral degrees, and graduate certificates to men and women studying outside of the United States and territories. The convenient fully online format allows professionals the opportunity to advance their studies while working.
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 the graduate population are also offered on the main campus.
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 graduate programs in education, human and health sciences, including occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, psychology, nursing and genetic counseling. The Center contains classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, and a café.
Boston Campus
500 Rutherford Avenue
Boston, MA 02129
The Cambridge College Boston at Bay Path University site, located in Hood Park in Charlestown, MA, is easily accessible from major roads and the Sullivan Station MBTA stop. The location includes 10 flexible general purpose classrooms - equipped with the latest technology- and administrative offices that house a variety of student support staff. Ample parking is provided on site, and places to purchase food are conveniently located nearby.
Puerto Rico Campus
27 Gonzales Gusti Avenue
Edificio Tres Ríos, San Patricio
Guaynabo, Puerto Rico 00968
Cambridge College Puerto Rico at Bay Path University occupies approximately 11,000 square feet on the ground floor of a facility that is set in an urban area and is easily accessible by both private vehicles and public transportation. The site houses the Academic Counseling, Student Services Coordination, Campus Operations, and Admissions offices, a Librarian, and the Dean’s Executive Office. Parking is available free of charge for all students, faculty, and visitors, seven days a week, and security personnel are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week, ensuring a safe and secure environment. The building also offers a variety of nearby fast food options and two vending machines on-site, providing snacks and refreshments at a cost.
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. 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.
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, 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 / life design coaching services, virtually and in person. The Handshake Career Network, Bay Path’s premier network for internships, employment opportunities, events, resources and career coaching, is managed by this office.
Catok Center for Student Success & Advising
The Catok Center for Student Success & Advising is home to a team that is dedicated to empowering students to achieve academic, personal, and professional success. Through individualized advising and proactive outreach, the Center team ensures students are supported at every stage of their educational journey. Advisors provide personalized support, assisting with major selection, course registration, progress monitoring, and connecting students to tailored campus resources. By assessing each learner's unique needs, Center staff craft meaningful outreach strategies to offer timely support and foster a strong foundation for lifelong achievement. Through personalized guidance, innovative services, and a collaborative community, the Center team cultivates a campus culture of continuous learning, resilience, and holistic development.
Hatch Learning Commons & Bashevkin Center for Academic Excellence
The 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 students’ academic success. Bay Path students may also borrow recreational items such as popular fiction books or DVDs. Hatch Learning Commons is open seven days a week year round; current hours are posted on the website.
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.
The Hatch Learning Commons 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. 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 Bay Path Online 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.
Health & Wellness Center
The Health & Wellness Center, located in North House, supports student well-being by providing consultation, care coordination, crisis assessment, referrals, health and wellness education, and prevention programming. The Center works collaboratively with campus and community partners to help students navigate academic, developmental, interpersonal, and personal challenges.
Individual counseling services are available through the university’s partnership with New Path Counseling LLC, with additional teletherapy services available through Uwill. The Center also promotes awareness of mental health as an essential component of overall wellness and works to reduce the stigma associated with seeking support.
Also located in North House is the Bay Path Wildcat Pantry, a community-based program that collects and safely stores food, personal care, and household products for free distribution to members of the Bay Path community experiencing basic needs insecurity.
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. Students have access to information technologies such as e-mail and the internet through Bay Path Community intranet (https://one.baypath.edu/dashboard) and the campus network portal (my.baypath.edu). A variety of online information resources from Hatch Library are also available via BPU Community and 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 techsupport@baypath.edu to submit an automated electronic service ticket. This service provides students with a single point of access for assistance with computing questions.
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 is also home to the offices for the many of the student engagement staff members.
Campus Maps
Main Campus (Longmeadow)
Philip H. Ryan Health Science Center (East Longmeadow)
Boston Campus (Charlestown)
Puerto Rico Campus (Guaynabo)
