Early College Program

UPDATED: Recruitment of MCPS high school 10th grade students who are interested in applying to the Early College program for Fall 2022 admission will begin October 17, 2021.  Please refer back to this site in early October.  

Attention All Early College Parents

You can view slides of the June 17, 2021 Early College Parent Orientation Meeting (PDF, ) here. 

What is Early College?

Montgomery College's innovative Early College program provides Montgomery County Public School students an opportunity to experience college-level courses, accelerate the path to degree completion and entrance into the workforce, and save money on college tuition.

The program is offered at all three MC campuses–and there are several pathways and degree tracks from which students can choose. 

Participating students will complete their 11th and 12th grade years of high school while simultaneously completing their first two years of college. 

They will graduate with an associate's degree from MC as well as a Maryland State High School diploma.

Apply

STEP ONE: Please view the Early College General Information Recruitment Video to learn about the Early College Program and the application process.

STEP TWO: Once you have watched the General Information Video, we recommend watching these short videos that will provide you with more detailed information on Early College's specific programs.

STEP THREE: Once you have reviewed the videos and found one of Early College's specific programs that you are interested in, it is time to apply for the program.

• The MCPS Interest Form has been sent to all Early College applicants. Students will have the opportunity to indicate their interest in applying for the Early College program and their first and second choice of degree pathways.
  • All MCPS Interest Forms have currently been submitted.  This step is currently closed.
• After reviewing the MCPS Interest form, eligible students will receive an official MCPS Early College Application and Montgomery College Admissions Application to complete.  Your application and instructions should have been sent via email from MCPS.
  • Both applications will need to be completed and submitted by January 8, 2021 in order to be considered.

Qualifications

Before applying for the program, students should be able to satisfy the following requirements:

• Be enrolled at an MCPS high school as a 10th grade student
• Have passed Mathematics and English state assessments
• Meet the appropriate assessment levels for the program
• Have an unweighted high school grade point average of 2.75 or higher
• Have met-or be near completion-of required high school Student Service Learning hours

By the end of their 10th grade year, students should have also completed their health, physical education and technology credits.

Benefits

• Save money (tuition and textbook costs are covered, college application fee is waived with students only paying for student fees).
• Accelerate time to completion (students can transfer to four-year degree or enter workforce).
• Experience the pace and rigor of academics at the college and university level
• Small class sizes (student-teacher ratio is 17:1)
• Embedded coaches (academic support)
• Early College coordinators available on every campus
• Free Ride On Bus travel

Early College Degree Pathways

The following Early College pathways are currently available.  Students should review the pathway and degree information carefully before making their decision.    

• MC Rockville Early College Pathways:
  • Behavioral Health - AA Behavioral Health Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
  • Science - AS Mathematics Pathway (PDF, )  and Degreenew window information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course; 
  • Elementary/Special Education - AAT Elementary/Special Education Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree new windowinformation
  • Engineering - AS General Engineering Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
  • Business - AA Business Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree new windowinformation

• MC Germantown Early College Pathways:
  • Biological Science - AS Biological Science Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree new windowinformation
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
  • Biotechnology - AAS Biotechnology Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree new windowinformation 
    • **The EC Biotechnology program will be available in Fall 2021.  Recruitment for this program will begin in Fall 2020**
  • Business - AA Business Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
  • Computer Science - AA Computer Science and Technologies Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course; 
  • Cybersecurity - AAS Cybersecurity Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information

• MC Takoma Park Early College Pathways:
  • Biological Science - AS Biological Science Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course; 
  • Cloud Computing and Networking Technology - AAS Cloud Computing and Networking Technology Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information.
  • Computer Science - AA Computer Science and Technologies Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
  • Diagnostic Medical Sonography - AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Pathway (PDF, )  and Degreenew window information
  • Nursing - AS Nursing Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
  • Physical Therapist Assistant - AAS Physical Therapist Assistant Pathway (PDF, )  and Degreenew window information
  • Radiologic Technology - AAS Radiologic (X-Ray) Technology Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window information
  • Surgical Technology - AAS Surgical Technology Pathway (PDF, ) and Degreenew window Information

Early College Parent Guide

This Early College parent guide (PDF, ) is intended to serve as a resource for parents of students who are new to the Montgomery College Early College program. 

FAQ/Contact Us

Please refer to the following for some frequently asked questions (PDF, ) about the Early College program.  If you still have additional questions about Early College, please email earlycollege@montgomerycollege.edu for more information. 

Parents, missed the Early College parent orientation meeting on August 26, 2020? Check out the video replay here.

Commencement Messages from 2020 Early College Program Graduates