Early College Program
The Early College application for current 10th graders to start in 2027 will be available this fall
- Apply as a 10th grade MCPS student to start in 11th grade.
- Watch the Early College Webinar and learn about the program
- View the Webinar Slides (pdf)
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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
- Benefits
- Resources: Student and Parents' Guide; Examples of First Year Fall EC Schedules
Videos
- Watch ceremony video new window
- View ceremony photos (one)
- View ceremony photos (two) new window
Eligibility Requirements
Before applying for the program, students should be able to satisfy the following requirements:
- Be a current MCPS 10th-grade student (Class of 2029).
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 through 10th grade.
- Successfully complete and pass all required 9th- and 10th-grade coursework new window.
- Meet college-level assessment and placement requirements for the intended degree program.
- Obtain required approvals from both the high school and a parent/guardian.
- Be prepared to begin Early College coursework as early as Summer 2027.
Benefits

- Save money (college tuition, fees and textbook costs are covered with college application fee waived).
- 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
- Experiential learning opportunities outside of the class
- Free Ride On bus access
Early College Degree Programs
Students should review the degree information carefully before making their decision.
- Behavioral Health: AA Behavioral Health (Degree new window information)
- All students must also complete a Field Experience course that requires students to complete 9 hours per week of hands-on learning at an off-site location.
- Biological Science: AS Science- Biological Science concentration (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Business: AA Business (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Applied Calculus level (MATH150)
- Business Analytics: (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Applied Calculus level (MATH150)
- Chemistry and Biochemistry: AS Science: Chemistry and Biochemistry concentration (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Computer Science: AA Computer Science and Technologies Degree information
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Math: AS- Science: Mathematics concentration (Degree new window information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Data Science: AS- Data Science (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Applied Calculus level (MATH150)
- Elementary/Special Education: AAT Elementary/Special Education (Degree new window information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the MATH 130 level. All students must also participate in a Field Experience their first year and complete 30 hours outside of class.
- Engineering: AS- General Engineering (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Biological Science: AS Science- Biological Science concentration (Degree new windowinformation)
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Biotechnology: AAS Biotechnology Degree new windowinformation
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Business: AA Business Degree new windowinformation
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Applied Calculus level (MATH150)
- Computer Science: AA Computer Science and Technologies Degree new window information
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Cybersecurity: AAS Cybersecurity Degree new window information
- Biological Science: AS Science- Biological Science concentration Degree new window information
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
- Cloud Computing and Networking Technology: AAS Cloud Computing and Networking Technology Degree new window information.
- Computer Science: AA Computer Science and Technologies Degree new window information
- Students applying to this program must initially place at the Calculus level and should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course to prepare for the placement
NURSING/ALLIED HEALTH DEGREES: Early College Students who plan to major in nursing or any of the allied health degrees below will be assigned the temporary major of pre-clinical degree until they pass their TEAS entrance exam in spring of year one and are officially admitted. Students will take preparatory college courses and courses that fulfill general education requirements during their first year. These degrees are 3 year programs. Student will complete their final year after HS graduation at own cost. Students are also expected to participate in clinicals or other field experience off-campus.
- (Pre-Clinical) Diagnostic Medical Sonography: AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree new window information
- (Pre-Clinical) Nursing: AS Nursing Degree new window information
- (Pre-Clinical) Physical Therapist Assistant: AAS Physical Therapist Assistant Degree new window information
- (Pre-Clinical) Radiologic Technology: AAS Radiologic (X-Ray) Technology Degree new window information
- (Pre-Clinical) Surgical Technology: AAS Surgical Technology Degree information
- Behavioral Health: AA Behavioral Health (Degree information)
- All students must also complete a Field Experience course that requires students to complete 9 hours per week of hands-on learning at an off-site location.
- Biological Science: AS Science- Biological Science concentration(Degree information)
- Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
- Biotechnology: AAS Biotechnology Degree new windowinformation
- Business: AA Business (Degree information)
- Business Analytics: (Degree information)- NEW for Fall 2024
- Chemistry and Biochemistry: AS Science: Chemistry and Biochemistry concentration (Degree 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 Degree new window information.
- Computer Science: AA Computer Science and Technologies Degree information
- Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
- Cybersecurity: AAS Cybersecurity Degree new window information
- Data Science: AS- Data Science (Degree information)
- Elementary/Special Education: AAT Elementary/Special Education (Degree new windowinformation)
- All students must also participate in a Field Experience their first year and complete 30 hours outside of class.
- Engineering: AS- General Engineering (Degree new window information)
- Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course
- Math: AS- Science: Mathematics concentration (Degree information)
- Students applying to this program should currently be enrolled in precalculus or a higher mathematics course;
NURSING/ALLIED HEALTH DEGREES: Early College Students who plan to major in nursing or any of the allied health degrees below will be assigned the temporary major of pre-clinical degree until they pass their TEAS entrance exam in spring of year one and are officially admitted. Students will take preparatory college courses and courses that fulfill general education requirements during their first year. These degrees are 3 year programs. Student will complete their final year after HS graduation at own cost. Students are also expected to participate in clinicals or other field experience off-campus.
- Pre-Nursing: AS Nursing Degree new window information
- 3-year program. Student will complete final year after HS graduation at own cost.
- Pre-Physical Therapist Assistant: AAS Physical Therapist Assistant Degree new window information
- 3-year program. Student will complete final year after HS graduation at own cost.
- Pre-Radiologic Technology: AAS Radiologic (X-Ray) Technology Degree new window information
- 3-year program. Student will complete final year after HS graduation at own cost.
- Pre-Surgical Technology: The AAS Surgical Technology Degree information
- Pre-Diagnostic Medical Sonography: AAS Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree new window information
4-Year Institution Acceptances for EC Students
Butler University
Carnegie Mellon University
Champlain College
Claremont McKenna College
Clemson University
College of the Mines
Cornell University
Delaware State University
Drexel University
Elon University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgia Tech
High Point University
Hofstra University
Howard University
James Madison University
Kansas State University
Lafayette College
Lehigh University
Loyola College of Maryland
Loyola University-Chicago
Marymount University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
McDaniel University
Michigan State University
Morehouse College
Norfolk State University
North Carolina A&T
Northeastern University
Notre Dame of Maryland
Nova Southeastern University
Ohio University
Pennsylvania State University
Pratt Institute
Princeton University
Purdue University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Salisbury University
Savannah College of Art & Design
Simmons University
Smith College
Spelman College
Stevenson University
St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Temple University
The Ohio State University
The Universities at Shady Grove
Towson University
Tulane University
Union College
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Illinois
University of Maryland Baltimore County
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland College Park
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
University of Miami
University of South Carolina
University of Tampa
University of the Sciences
University of Vermont
Virginia Tech
Vanderbilt University
Washington College
West Liberty University
Worchester Polytechnic Institute
Xavier University of Louisiana
FAQ/Contact Us
Please refer to the following for some frequently asked questions new window about the Early College program. If you still have additional questions about Early College, please email earlycollege@montgomerycollege.edu for more information.