Early College Program

The Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools partnership is pleased to offer the Early College Program to qualified MCPS students.  Information sessions are held prior to the start of the program where students can learn more about the program and degree options available.  

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.

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

Eligibility

The Early College Program is currently available to all MCPS high school students.  Students will need to submit an Early College application and should attend an Early College information session related to your choice of pathway (see the "Important Dates" sidebar). 

**Interested Grade 10 students must complete the MCPS Common Application by the November 1st deadline.  The Grade 10 application information will be on the special programs website in MID OCTOBER:*  

Admission

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 Degree information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course; 
  • Engineering - AS General Engineering Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
  • Business - AA Business Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information

• MC Germantown Early College Pathways:
  • Biological Science - AS Biological Science Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
  • Business - AA Business Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
  • Computer Science - AA Computer Science and Technologies Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
    • Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course; 
  • Cybersecurity - AAS Cybersecurity Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
  • Elementary/Special Education - AAT Elementary/Special Education Pathway and Degree information

• MC Takoma Park Early College Pathways:
  • Biological Science - AS Biological Science Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree 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 Degree information
  • Nursing - AS Nursing Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
  • Physical Therapist Assistant - AAS Physical Therapist Assistant Pathway (PDF, )  and Degree information
  • Radiologic Technology - AAS Radiologic (X-Ray) Technology Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree information
  • Surgical Technology - AAS Surgical Technology Pathway (PDF, ) and Degree Information

Contact Us

If you have additional questions about Early College, please contact Ms. Amy Crowley for more information.