Graduate Transition Program
Welcome to the Graduate Transition Program! This fall, we are excited to welcome 15 new students beginning their journey with GTP, and welcome back 17 second year students continuing theirs.
GTP is a two-year program that helps students build academic, vocational, and life skills in a supportive college setting, with the goal of greater independence in life, learning, and work. Along the way, students grow not only their skills but also lasting friendships and a strong sense of community.
Whether you are new to GTP or returning for another year, we are so glad you are here. We cannot wait to see all that this cohort will accomplish together. Here is to a great year ahead!
A warm welcome to all GTP students, including Karen, Nolan, and Jared (pictured below) to the Fall 2026 Cohort.
Karen
Nolan
Jared
About the GTP Program
The Graduate Transition Program (GTP) at Montgomery College on the Rockville Campus, is a custom-tailored and learning community program that offers students a unique postsecondary opportunity to further their formal education.
The objective of the program is to enable students, while in a supportive college environment, to transition to greater independent living through developmentally appropriate educational, vocational, and life-skill services. This two-year, tuition-based, credit-free certificate program that began in 2001, focuses on basic academic skills and enhances students’ potential success as productive citizens in the community.
The College schedule consists of two 14-week semesters, for two years. Students receive academic instruction 3 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Small class sizes, experienced faculty and staff, and individual classroom assistants encourage an interactive and dynamic learning environment designed specifically for students with special needs. Classes offered include reading and writing, science, health, anatomy, world history and current events, communications and public speaking, art, computers, and more.
Our mission is to empower individuals to live, learn, work, and participate in the social fabric of our community. We believe, given the opportunity and proper support, all individuals can achieve academic success, successful careers, and personal growth.
A Unique College Experience
Montgomery College Workforce Development and Continuing Education provides:
- Welcoming environment
- College campus setting
- Specifically tailored curriculum
- Professional, experienced faculty and staff
- Classroom assistance
- Small class size
- Opportunities to build supportive relationships with faculty and peers
Enrollment and Admission
The Graduate Transition Program is open to students who have exited from special education high school programs, have a minimum reading level of third grade, have basic conversational skills, independent self-help skills, ability to navigate the College campus independently, and abide by MC’s Student Code of Conduct.
The application period for the Graduate Transition Program opens in January and closes in March. Because GTP is a cohort-based program with a limited number of spots — typically 15 students per year — admission is competitive. All applicants who meet the eligibility criteria are invited to interview in early June, and families can expect to receive notification of their admissions decision shortly after.
Special thanks and acknowledgment to the following for their generous contributions towards Challenge and GTP Program scholarships and transition-related supports:
- Montgomery College Foundation
- Jerome S & Grace H. Murray Foundation
- John E. Green, Sr. Educational Scholarship
- Potomac Community Resources, Inc.
- Bob and Linda Youngentob
- Montgomery College WDCE scholarships
- Private donations
Potomac Community Resources, Inc.
Serving Teens and Adults with Developmental Differences
Potomac Community Resources, Inc. (PCR) promotes the full inclusion into community life of teens and adults with developmental differences by providing over 35 therapeutic, recreational, social, educational, and respite care programs. Learn more about Potomac Community Resources, Inc.
SEEC, Project SEARCH
Project SEARCH is a one-year school-to-work transition program designed for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are either in their last year of high school or are recent graduates. The Project SEARCH program model was developed at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in 1996 and has been duplicated over 600 times nationwide and in ten countries. Through this program, young adults develop the tools necessary for employment, and skills needed for self determination, management and self advocacy. Learn more about SEEC, Project Search new window.