Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to footer content

Apprenticeships at MCC

Take Classes in Your Field While Working!

Gain the knowledge, skills and experience you need to succeed in in-demand industries.

Connect With Us!

 

 

At MCC, our apprenticeships provide a structured training program to combine hands-on work experience with advanced learning opportunities. Collaborating with industry partners, we develop the curriculum you need to enter the workforce and jumpstart your new career as soon as possible.

As a student in the program, you will:

  • Build relevant skills employers are looking for
  • Earn money in your chosen field
  • Take advantage of low-cost and free program pathways
  • Learn about workplace culture firsthand
  • Access MCC’s student support services, tutoring and academic and career advising

As an employer partner, you will:

  • Have access to and develop highly skilled employees
  • Reduce turnover rates, increase productivity, and lower the cost of recruitment
  • Support your employees’ on-the-job learning with the help of an experienced mentor
  • Create a stable and reliable pipeline of qualified workers.

 

 

 

Earn your dental assisting certificate at little to no cost while working in the field with MCC’s one-year dental assisting apprenticeship.
 
This unique program combines classroom learning with paid, on-the-job training in a local dental practice, allowing you to build skills, confidence, and professional connections from day one. Training and Employment begins Summer of 2026 and classes start in Fall of 2026. The program runs through the summer of 2027. Learn more about MCC's dental assisting certificate.
 
Before you graduate, you will begin working in a dental office early in the program and continue developing advanced skills throughout the year. By the time you complete the apprenticeship, you will have both a college credential and meaningful work experience, making you a strong candidate for long-term employment in the field.
 
What You’ll Gain
  • Start working early on: Begin your career as a chairside dental assistant within weeks of starting the program.
  • Hands-on learning: Apply new skills directly in a real dental office while learning more advanced techniques in class.
  • Industry-recognized credentials: Prepare for and take the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam to earn a nationally recognized certification.
  • Paid experience: Work part-time throughout the program while gaining valuable clinical and professional skills.
  • Wage progression: Receive one or more incremental wage increases as you advance and demonstrate new competencies.
  • Strong career foundation: Graduate with both a college certificate and real-world experience that employers value.
How the Schedule Works
The program is designed to balance structured learning with practical experience:

  • Mondays and Fridays: Attend classes at MCC to learn foundational knowledge, safety practices, and technical skills.
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Work part-time in a partnering dental office, applying what you learn in real patient care settings.
This consistent weekly schedule allows you to reinforce classroom learning through hands-on practice, helping you build confidence and competence over time.
 
Who This Program Is For
This apprenticeship is ideal for individuals who:
  • Want to enter the dental field quickly
  • Prefer hands-on, practical learning
  • Are looking to earn income while completing a college credential
  • Are motivated to grow into long-term careers in dental assisting or expanded dental roles
How to Apply
Getting started in the Dental Assisting Apprenticeship is a simple, step-by-step process. To qualify for the apprenticeship, students must be accepted to both MCC and hired by a participating dental practice.

  • Step 1: Apply to MCC
    Submit an application to the dental assisting certificate at MCC. After applying, you will receive next steps from our admissions and apprenticeship team.
  • Step 2: Submit Required Documents
    Send any requested materials, which may include unofficial transcripts, placement information, and proof of high school completion or equivalent.
  • Step 3: Meet with the Apprenticeship Team
    Meet with our team to learn more about program expectations, scheduling, and the apprenticeship model. This is also a chance to ask questions and confirm that the program is a good fit for your goals.
  • Step 4: Interview with a Participating Dental Practice
    Qualified applicants will be connected with employer partners for interviews. Once hired, you will be officially enrolled in the apprenticeship.
  • Step 5: Complete Onboarding Requirements
    Before starting, you may need to complete standard healthcare onboarding requirements such as background checks, immunizations, and other employer or clinical clearances.
  • Step 6: Attend Orientation
    During Orientation, you will receive CPR and First Aid Training, CDC Infection Control Training Course, and the Jurisprudence Exam. These steps must be completed in order to receive your On-The-Job Dental Assisting Licensure to begin working in the field. 

Dental Assisting Apprenticeship: Employer Overview
MCC's Dental Assisting Apprenticeship helps dental practices build a skilled workforce while supporting apprentices as they earn a college credential through structured classroom instruction and paid, on-the-job training.
 
Training and employment begin Summer 2026, with related classroom instruction starting Fall 2026. The program runs through Summer 2027 and prepares apprentices to complete the Dental Assisting Certificate and sit for the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) exam. Learn more about the Dental Assisting Certificate here (link to this page).
 
Apprentices begin working in your practice early in the program while developing progressively advanced skills through coordinated classroom learning and hands-on clinical experience. By completion, employers gain a trained dental assistant who understands both the technical skills and workflow of their practice.
 
Employer Benefits
  • Build and train your own workforce pipeline
  • Support employees in earning industry-recognized credentials
  • Improve retention through structured career pathways
  • Strengthen quality of care through standardized training
Program Schedule
  • Monday, Friday and Tuesday Evenings: Apprentice(s) attend classes at Middlesex Community College.
  • Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays: Apprentice(s) work part-time in your dental practice, applying new skills in real patient care settings.
Why Partner with MCC
  • Established training expertise: MCC delivers structured dental assisting education aligned with industry standards.
  • Program coordination & support: Our team assists with onboarding, progress tracking, and employer communication.
  • Workforce development focus: Apprenticeships are designed to address real hiring needs and strengthen local healthcare pipelines.
  • Reduced training burden: Practices receive employees who are simultaneously building skills through formal education.
  • Local talent connection: Access motivated candidates committed to building long-term careers in dental assisting.
Interested in becoming an Employer Partner?
Email Lily Goode, Coordinator of Apprenticeship Initiatives to set up an informational meeting. 
 

 

Contact Us!

Lily Goode
Coordinator for Apprenticeship Initiatives
 GoodeL@middlesex.edu
 781-280-3540



Next Steps