When we consider students, grades and test scores aren’t nearly as important as grit and character. We look for high school seniors or recent high school graduates with a strong desire to go to college. Despite facing barriers to attending college – financial, academic, social, jobs – they are motivated to overcome obstacles and excel in an academically challenging environment. If this sounds like you, then we will commit to do all we can to help you succeed.
When you graduate with an Associate’s degree from Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s, you can either transfer straight into junior year at a top-notch four-year college or university, or launch your career knowing you have the timeless skills you need to succeed. If you have the will, we will show you the way.
We are not a traditional college. We don't teach in a traditional way. And we don't just focus on traditional measures like grades and test scores. We teach what employers are looking for.
College students often graduate with degrees, but lack critical communication and problem-solving skills that are relevant and essential in the real world. Employers want these skills, but can’t easily tell who has them and who doesn't.
Meanwhile, the job market continues to change rapidly. Two-thirds of today's grade-school kids will work in jobs that don’t even exist today. You need to develop timeless skills that will be useful today and decades from now.
At Portmont, we teach AND measure invaluable skills so you’ll leave with visible credentials in six areas: Personal Power, Learning to Learn, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Effective Communication. These credentials will be part of your transcript, which you can take with you to job interviews or use when transferring to four-year colleges. They will set you apart from other graduates, and serve you well no matter what path you take, now and ten years from now.
Explore our programs. ↓You take most of your classes online. But you won’t ever feel alone. You’ll meet with other students like you to tackle problems and think through ideas together. You'll have a Success Coach and a network of faculty who are there to keep you engaged and performing at the peak of your ability. We’re committed to keeping you connected to this support network, and to helping you realize the future of your choice.
At Portmont, you’ll know exactly what is expected of you and what you need to do to graduate on time. Our online curriculum lays out all the courses you will need, with clear guidance on which classes to take when. You won’t be overwhelmed with too many choices or confused about which classes you need.
Local cohorts – groups of about 15 students in the same city as you – are central to our program. Like a "buddy system," you will have the support of your peers and give them support in return. You will first meet your cohort during the one-week, intensive, in-person "Ignition" workshop at the beginning of school. There, you will also meet your Success Coach, who will be your dedicated advisor throughout the program.
Courses run in accelerated, eight-week terms. To help you focus your efforts, you will typically study two courses at a time, but never more than three. Before you begin, we will assess your current math and language skills, and develop a customized path for you to gain the skills you need.
Social Learning and Problem-based Learning approaches are built into each course so that you learn how to think clearly and work well in teams—skills that all employers seek.
Read about the four programs. ↓We offer four main areas of study in which you can earn your Associate’s Degree—Computer Science, Pre-Health Science, Business Administration, and Liberal Arts. These areas are in the highest demand or offer the most job opportunities, giving our students the best chance at landing jobs and building careers in these areas.
Prepare to either transfer to a four-year program in Computer Science or enter the workforce with marketable skills to succeed in the information technology field. Students develop skills in computer programming, algorithms, data structures, and software engineering. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 23% growth rate nationally for computer occupations through 2018.
Course Descriptions
Take general studies requirements and preparatory courses for programs in Nursing, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinarian, Pre-Pharmacy, or other healthcare related programs. Students develop skills in human anatomy, life sciences, chemistry, human development, and nutrition. BLS estimates an increase in the number of healthcare professionals of almost 30% overall by 2020—the most dramatic growth of any sector in the U.S.
Course Descriptions
Gain the strong business background you need to develop as a leader capable of making complex business decisions and appreciating the significance of your responsibilities to the companies and communities you serve. Students develop skills in management, sales, accounting, business law, economics, and marketing. BLS projects that the U.S. will add 1.2 million new jobs in this area at a rate of 17% between 2010 and 2020.
Course Descriptions
Explore various disciplines for a broad educational experience. Students develop knowledge and understanding of history, languages, computers, and foundational scientific concepts. On completion of the program, students may pursue a variety of baccalaureate degree pathways in areas such as accounting, business management, communications, healthcare administration, information technology, and social sciences—or enter a career that utilizes the benefits of this interdisciplinary program.
Course Descriptions
We aim to be the springboard for those students who have the grit and determination to succeed, but who face burdens and barriers that will limit and even prevent that success. America was built on the belief that if you work hard, you can do anything. We still believe it, and we will work hard, alongside our students, to prove that it’s still true. If we can help our youth avoid the tragic trajectory of wasted potential, and get them on a path where they can go out in the world and make a real difference, then we all win.
Our partnership brings together Mount St. Mary’s longstanding commitment to educating the underserved and Portmont’s innovations in pedagogy, technology, and student support to offer a high quality, personalized educational experience to thousands of students.
We are not a traditional college. We don’t teach in a traditional way. As a non-profit, we’re not in this to make money, we’re in this to make futures. Our students will graduate with not just a degree, but also the ability to think clearly, work well in teams, and communicate effectively. They will have what they need to succeed in the workforce and in their communities.
Growing up in India, college was not the norm in my family. My father barely received four years of schooling and had to start working at the age of 14 to support his family. My mother, on the other hand, was valedictorian of her high school class. But culturally, women of her background were not expected to go to college and she was married off at 17 years of age.
Despite their experiences or perhaps because of them, my parents instilled in me the importance of education. By the time I was in high school, I began to think of education as the path to a different future. With hard work and focus, I applied to and was accepted into the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology. I suddenly found myself in a rarified world that opened many doors for me and set me on a very different path than friends from my neighborhood.
After college, I set my sights on a larger prize and found my way to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, where I received an MBA. This gave me the knowledge and confidence to build a career in the business world over the next 15 years, initially working at some large companies, and then becoming a technology entrepreneur – starting, building and selling two companies.
With success comes responsibility. After selling my second company, I had a strong desire to give back and be part of a cause bigger than myself, to help others have the opportunities that I was so fortunate to have had in my life. I worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, finding ways to help farmers in Africa and Asia improve their lives through better access to information. These were farmers with barely a few acres of land who depended on the land for their livelihood – people like my grandparents in their small village in India. Their resilience inspired me, and this experience showed me yet again how education and information can transform people’s lives.
I wanted to apply these experiences to address social problems here in our own backyard. Addressing the education gap in America was a natural cause for me to devote myself to: I have seen first-hand how education can transform lives. It is the most important doorway to opportunity in America and has contributed in no small part to what has made this country great. But we are also at risk of losing this edge; there is a large and growing gap between the rich and the poor in their access to education.
These were the seeds that led to Portmont College: a college designed to open doors for students who have the grit and determination to succeed, but who face barriers to that success today. Students like the ones I knew growing up, but who never found a way out.
I am honored and grateful to be a part of this new movement in American education. It comes at a time when innovations in teaching, technology, and student support can converge to create lasting impact. I am grateful to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for their help in formulating the business plan and providing the financial support to help start MyCollege Foundation. I am proud of my terrific colleagues who have jumped in with both feet to help turn this vision into reality. And I am honored that Mount St. Mary’s College, under the leadership of Dr. Ann McElaney-Johnson, has partnered with us to bring Portmont College at Mount St. Mary's to life.
My hope is that Portmont College at Mount St. Mary's will make a real difference in your life, or in the life of someone you care about.
Sincerely,
Srikant Vasan
Founder and President
Portmont College at Mount St. Mary's
Mount St. Mary’s College has partnered with MyCollege Foundation, a 501c(3) public charity funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, to broaden access to high quality but affordable college education in America. Together, they have created Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s to accomplish this goal.
Mount St. Mary's College (The Mount) is an independent, Catholic, liberal arts college which provides a values-based undergraduate education for women, as well as innovative programs for professional men and women on two historic campuses in Los Angeles. The Mount is nationally recognized for its academic programs, its culturally diverse student body, and its focus on preparing the next generation of citizen leaders.
Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1925, Mount St. Mary’s College has graduated more than 17,000 students in majors ranging from traditional liberal arts studies to individually designed programs. The Mount has two beautiful campuses (Chalon and Doheny) located in the City of Los Angeles.
The Mount’s academic programs place strong emphasis on social and ethical values consistent with the Catholic view of compassionate community involvement—both in Southern California and around the world.
The College also prides itself on the diversity of its student body and faculty, which includes a wide variety of religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Mount St. Mary’s College offers a dynamic curriculum in the liberal arts and sciences to a diverse student body. Their goal is to provide a superior education with an emphasis on building leadership skills and fostering a spirit to serve others. Compassion, engagement and justice are at the heart of the Mount St. Mary’s mission.
It is my pleasure to welcome you to Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s! You are about to embark on an exciting journey at an extraordinary place.
As a Portmont student you are part of the Mount St. Mary’s College family. Let me tell you what that means. Mount St. Mary’s College, or as we call her, the Mount, is all about making big dreams come true. We were founded in 1925 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, a group of pioneering women who believed in the promise and power of education, and today we remain committed to their vision.
We are committed to providing the best education possible to prepare you for the future you choose. As a student at Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s, you will not be alone. We will be with you every step of the way. We believe in you and we care about you.
Dream big! Work hard! And enjoy! This is your moment!.
Most sincerely,
Ann McElaney-Johnson
President
Mount St. Mary’s College
Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s is accredited by The Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Senior Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), a regional accrediting body.
Regional accreditation is important to you for three reasons. First, when you go to college at a regionally accredited institution, you would be eligible for Title IV funds, such as Pell grants or Stafford loans. Second, when transferring credits, the majority of colleges and universities only accept credits from regionally accredited institutions. And finally, there is wider acceptance by employers and professional associations who know that regionally accredited colleges and universities have a higher reputation for quality, like Mount St Mary’s College which is ranked among the top 30 regional universities in the West by US News & World Report.
Mount St. Mary’s College also has specific programs that are accredited by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.
Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s has built articulation agreements so that you can easily transfer your degree and credits when you graduate. These transfer partners are leaders in the area of online learning, and have high reputations for quality and student support. University transfer partners include: Arizona State University, Colorado State University Global Campus, Regis University, University of Maryland University College, Western Governor’s University, and the University of Illinois at Springfield, with more select university agreements to come…
As a non-profit college, our goal is to make Portmont as affordable as we possibly can, with the highest quality. Our costs and fee structures are very simple, with no hidden costs: $210 per credit hour, plus an annual fee of $200 for Technology and Support. So if a student were to take a course-load of 24 credits per year, which is what we expect an average student to do, the total costs to attend Portmont would be $5,240 per year. Even after adding estimated travel costs of $50 to attend the in-person meetings (e.g., for gas or bus fees), the total costs and fees are only $5,290 per year. This amount is less than a Pell grant, which can go up to a maximum of $5,550 per year.
We have even eliminated the high cost of textbooks--which can sometimes be more than the cost of tuition. All course materials are covered by the tuition and fees. Any course materials that are not available digitally or online will be provided free to the students. Imagine that!
The table below gives you a sense for how our annual costs compare to other options you might be considering.
| For Profit / Online1 | Community College1 | Traditional College1 | Portmont | |
| Tuition2 | $10,270 | $2,900 | $20,000 | $5,040 |
| Books and Fees | $1,250 | $1,100 | $1,250 | $200 |
| Room and Board | $0 | $0 | $10,000 | $0 |
| Transportation | $0 | $1,300 | $1,200 | $50 |
| Total Costs | $11,520 | $5,300 | $32,450 | $5,290 |
| Extra Funds Needed | $5,970 | None | $26,900 | None |
1 All prices are based on typical averages – actual costs vary based on the institution. These costs also do not include potential institutional scholarships.2 Tuition assumes the student is taking courses totaling 24 credits in a year.
College is an investment in the future of your student. Finding the right college for the right reasons is critical to their success. With the cost of tuition increasing at four times the rate of inflation, it is especially important to ensure that an investment in college will really pay off. Some key considerations include cost, caliber, capabilities, caring support, and connections.
As a non-profit college, our goal is to make Portmont as affordable as we possibly can, with the highest quality. Our costs and fee structures are very simple, with no hidden costs. A typical student can expect to attend Portmont for total costs of $5,240 per year. Since a Pell grant can be up to $5,550 per year, a student who is eligible for a maximum Pell grant could gain a college degree without taking on any additional debt – essentially going to college for free.
Building on the excellent reputation of Mount St. Mary’s College, Portmont continues the tradition of quality by providing the highest quality faculty, engaging courses, and rigorous curriculum, enhanced by world-class digital and library resources and cutting edge technology and support. Additionally, students are carefully selected on the basis of their grit, determination, and motivation, creating a positive peer group with high-expectations that sets them apart from non-selective institutions. This peer cohort interaction increases the level of quality because the caliber of Portmont also comes from the quality of its students.
At the center of Portmont’s approach are our Core Capabilities. These core capabilities are timeless and enduring skills like critical thinking, problem solving, communications, and team building that apply across jobs and industries. They are essential to long-term career success, and are highly valued both by employers and four-year colleges. We teach to and measure these core capabilities every day – so our students will graduate with what they need to succeed in the workforce and in their communities.
Student success is at the heart of Portmont College at Mount St. Mary’s. We have invested in the best human and technological supports to increase success. While students take advantage of the convenience, focus, and responsiveness of online courses, they are never alone. Every student has a success coach who will follow and advise him or her throughout the entire program. Course sizes are limited and staffed with experienced, proactive faculty who know how to teach in the online environment, and will follow and engage the student in their learning. If technology issues arise, a top-tier Helpdesk will be there to overcome the techno-bumps. Students will always know how they are doing and how they can improve. Portmont is passionate about supporting students to reach their full potential.
Portmont students build relationships that help them complete their college degree and prepare for their future. Central to the Portmont experience is the local cohort – other students in the same city or area who take courses together and help each other succeed. Students are also connected to their personal success coach who is there for them throughout the program. These coaches and experienced faculty get to know each student’s strengths and challenge them to perform at their best. We also connect students to high-prestige universities so they can go on to a bachelor’s degree in the junior year while transferring all their credits. Finally, we connect them to employers who can see how the students perform on measures that matter to them: for instance, how well they can think, communicate, and work in teams. All these connections help build a strong foundation for a lifetime of success.
Portmont is governed by a Board of Trustees that includes national leaders from the fields of business, education, and government:
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Thank you for your inquiry, we will be in touch shortly. In the meantime like us on facebook or follow us on twitter!
