Early College Program

Are You a Current MCPS 10th Grade Student Looking to Apply to the Early College Program?

Recruitment for the next Early College cohort will begin October 5, 2020.  This year, we will be sharing information on the various Early College program opportunities through a series of recordings.  Those informational videos will be available on this site on October 5th, 2020.

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!

• MCPS will be sending information about the Early College Interest Form to all Grade 10 students the week of October 5th.  The MCPS Interest Form can also be found at: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/specialprograms/high/new window  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.
  • The Interest Forms must be submitted by November 6th.
• All eligible students will receive an official MCPS Early College Application and Montgomery College Admissions Application to complete.
  • Both applications will need to be completed and submitted by December 14th 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:
  • 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; 
  • 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 thi s 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
  • Elementary/Special Education - AAT Elementary/Special Education 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; 
  • 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

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