Special Programs

ACES - Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success

The Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) Program is a collaboration among Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College (MC), and Universities at Shady Grove (USG). ACES serves targeted students in select Montgomery County Public High Schools (MCPS) with Montgomery College Academic Coaches. The academic coaches provide both academic and student support using a case management approach. They meet with students providing test preparation, tutoring, college visits, and assistance with college, financial aid and scholarship applications. The ACES Academic Coaches encourage student success by identifying and neutralizing barriers that may prevent an at-promise student from graduating with a bachelor’s degree. ACES students who choose to attend Montgomery College will be assisted by an on-campus academic coach who will provide academic support and guidance to help facilitate their degree completion and transfer to a four-year college or university. Students who choose to continue their education at the Universities at Shady Grove will be provided with ongoing support.

Arts Institute

The Arts Institute promotes, enhances, and supports the broad range of arts programs at the College, including graphic design, dance, film, fine arts, illustration, music, photography, and theatre. With support from the Montgomery College Foundation and the College’s donors, the Arts Institute brings distinguished guest artists and arts activities to all three campuses for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Through its Distinguished Guest Lecture Series, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Distinguished Chamber Music Series, the Willpower! Festival, the World Arts Festival, Gateway to the Arts, and other programs that bring visiting artists to the College, students are given exceptional opportunities to work with and learn from distinguished professionals and scholars. Special exhibits, such as “Portraits of Life: Student Experiences” and “Morris Yarowsky: Selected Works,” are typical of special projects produced by the Arts Institute.

The Arts Institute enables internships at museums so that students can discover additional career options in the arts and blend learning in the classroom with on-the-job experience. The Arts Institute Study Abroad program has taken arts students to study in Italy and China.

Working with the arts faculty and staff, the Arts Institute also develops collaborative projects with area arts organizations to enhance College and community programs in the arts.

For more information on the Arts Institute, visit http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/artsinstitute/ or e-mail marcella.florence@montgomerycollege.edu.

Career Coach

Career Coach is a valuable online search tool that will give you the opportunity to explore hundreds of potential careers or job possibilities in Maryland and the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Career Coach provides you with a brief employment analysis of the selected job, including how many are employed in the geographical area, the estimated number of annual job openings in this career, and breakdown of worker demographics by age. The job listings and information provided are specific to Montgomery County and the surrounding localities. You won’t find it anywhere else in the region. We offer it as a service to our students, future students, and members of our community. Visit the website at https://montgomerycollege.emsicareercoach.com and learn more.

Cooperative Education & Internship Program

The Collegewide Cooperative Education (Co-op) & Internship Program is an academic course that places eligible students in full- or part-time jobs in their major. Students can earn up to three academic credits each semester (a maximum of six at the College) while participating in work experiences related to their major. Students can be paid by their employer or opt to work in volunteer positions. For both co-op and internship students, the program offers an opportunity to blend classroom learning with on-the-job experience.

To be eligible for co-op and internships, students must be enrolled at the College, must have completed 12 college credits (including two courses in the student’s major), and must have a minimum 2.0 grade point average. The Co-op & Internship Office is located on the Takoma Park/Silver Campus, but students from all campuses are encouraged to participate in the program. The director regularly visits the Germantown and Rockville campuses for orientation sessions and student meetings. For more information and applications, please call 240-567-1360 or visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/cooped.

Developmental Courses

Developmental courses are offered for students who need to strengthen their academic foundations in English, reading, and mathematics in order to be successful in college level courses. Students may be required to enroll in one or more developmental courses, based on their academic records, the results of assessment testing, and individual needs.

Depending on the placement of the student and the number of developmental courses taken, a student may enroll in additional courses for credit, if the assessment level for each course has been met. See the course descriptions in this catalog for assessment levels associated with each course. Students may enroll in developmental courses on either a part-time or full-time basis and are strongly advised to begin their developmental courses in their first semester. All developmental coursework should be completed before a student earns 24 credit hours.  See Assessment Testing (Appropriate Course Placement) in the Admissions and Registration section of this catalog for more information.

English as a Second Language (American English Language Program)

The American English Language Program (AELP) offers courses designed to prepare non-native speakers of English for successful college work in the United States. The program includes four courses that develop writing and grammar skills (AELW 910 , AELW 920 , AELW 930 , and AELW 940 ), three courses that emphasize reading skills and vocabulary (AELR 910 , AELR 920 , and AELR 930 ), and several courses that focus on speaking, listening, and note-taking (AELS 910  and AELS 920 ), with additional electives (AELS 930  and COMM 109 ). Students placed into the AELP must pass or test out of AELW 940 , AELS 920 , and AELR 930  in order to take most courses that count toward a degree at Montgomery College.

Following admission to the College, students are tested to determine their current level of English proficiency, as required by College regulations. Non-native speakers may test out of one or more sequences or the entire program if their scores are sufficiently high. If they test out entirely, they will be eligible for ENGL 101 /ENGL 101A  and will be able to enroll in transferable credit-level college courses. Students whose language test scores indicate that they are not ready for the College’s entry-level AELP courses are referred to the Workforce Development & Continuing Education Division for classes in pre-academic English.

Students may enroll in the AELP on a fulltime or part-time basis on all three campuses. For assistance or additional information, contact the Office of the Dean of Student Services or the AELP coordinator at the Germantown, Rockville, or Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.

Global Humanities Institute

The Global Humanities Institute is a new globalization project of Montgomery College, funded in part through a challenge “Bridging Cultures” grant by the National Endowment of the Humanities. Our purpose is to support the systematic integration of other cultures and countries to the study of the humanities. Our project includes faculty training and support of teaching, cultural community engagement, research and scholarly work, and scholarly exchanges abroad as we travel to China, India, and El Salvador. We invite you to join us as we work to meet the imperative goal of preparing students for a global future. Please visit the website for more information: www.montgomerycollege.edu/globalhumanities.

Gudelsky Institute for Technical Education

To meet the technical education and training needs of the workforce and the community, the Homer S. Gudelsky Institute for Technical Education (GITE) provides instructional programs in four primary areas: automotive technology; building and construction technology; electronic publishing; and workforce technologies, which includes computer repair, welding, locksmithing, and machining. GITE offers both credit and noncredit courses taught via classroom and lab training, on-site or off-site customized contract training, apprenticeship training, and long or short-term training. For more information, please visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/giterv.

Health Sciences Institute

The Health Sciences Institute was designed to meet the needs of health care providers in the metropolitan Washington area. It offers both noncredit and credit courses and programs of study in various health care careers. These courses and programs will provide individuals with workforce skills, certification in specific disciplines, and associate’s degrees in an array of health sciences. Customized courses and programs, training courses, seminars, and specialty workshops are available. Experienced faculty, from the College or from the local community of health care providers, participate to develop the workforce for the health care community. For more information, visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/healthsciences.

Hillman Entrepreneurs Program

The Hillman Entrepreneurs Program is a scholarship and educational program that supports, develops, and graduates ethical leaders who want to energize and give back to their local communities. The Hillman Program is open to all transferable majors starting at Montgomery College and finishing at the University of Maryland, College Park. Students receive tuition and book support, mentoring, internships, and courses that feed into a minor in technology entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland, College Park, and also participate in a strong cohort experience with other aspiring entrepreneurs.

Minimum requirements to apply include a base GPA of 2.5 or higher, completion of one transferable math course, and a total of 30 transferable credits by the enrollment date. Applicants must also be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree in a degree that is available at the University of Maryland, College Park. Finally, they must be Maryland residents (U.S. citizens, students with permanent resident status, or students covered by the DREAM Act). The application process includes completion of the application form, a short essay, one letter of recommendation, and a résumé. Selected students are then invited to an interview to determine their suitability for the program. A total of 30 students are accepted each year into this program. Applications are due May 1 for the following fall semester.

More information about this program can be found at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/hillmanprogram.

Honors Programs

Collegewide Honors Program

The College is committed to providing high-ability, motivated students with stimulating and challenging opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Honors course offerings are varied and differ on each campus based on faculty interests and the number of students participating in the program. Honors offerings are listed in the class schedule by academic department and in the campus Honors Program section. Honors tutorials and independent study classes are both designated with an HP prefix. They give students the opportunity to pursue a special topic in a seminar-format class or work on an independent research project with a professor. Honors classes, indicated with an HC suffix, are honors sections of standard classes. Honors modules, indicated with an HM suffix, allow students to have an enriched honors experience while taking a standard class.

The Honors Program is collegewide and designed for the high-achieving student. The program requires that participating students complete a minimum of 15 honors credits distributed among at least three different disciplines (such as the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences) in a minimum of two semesters. In order to receive the Honors Program designation on their transcripts, students must maintain a minimum 3.2 grade point average (GPA) until they either graduate from the College or transfer to another institution.

Honors Program students receive special advising opportunities, including schedule, scholarship, and transfer counseling. They can also participate in activities set up for honors students such as clubs, honors colloquia, conferences, lectures, theatre performances, and other events. A limited number of Honors Internships are available. These have a competitive application and may require GPA above the Honors Program minimum of 3.2.

Applicants must meet one of the following entry requirements: (1) SAT scores of 600 on each section and a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted), (2) eligibility for ENGL 102  as determined by the Montgomery College placement process and a minimum high school GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted), (3) completion of a minimum of 12 credits in transfer-level classes at Montgomery College with a minimum 3.2 GPA, including a grade of A or B in ENGL 101  or ENGL 101A .

Admission to the Honors Program requires a separate application process. Applications are available online at www.montgomerycollege.edu/advantage/honors and through the Admissions and Records Office and the honors coordinators at each campus. For more information, contact Dr. Lucy Laufe, collegewide and Germantown/Rockville honors coordinator, at lucy.laufe@montgomery college.edu; or Dr. Carole Wolin, Takoma Park/ Silver Spring honors coordinator, at carole.wolin@montgomerycollege.edu.

Students who do not enroll in the Honors Program, but wish to take honors classes, must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and must have completed at least 12 credit hours of college-level coursework, including ENGL 101  or ENGL 101A  with a grade of A or B. Exceptions to these requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis by the campus honors coordinator. Recent high school graduates may be admitted to honors courses based on evaluation of high school grade reports.

Students who have completed 12 credit hours of honors work by the end of the fall semester in at least two different disciplines, and who have maintained a 3.4 GPA or better, are eligible to be recognized as honors scholars at campus academic awards ceremonies in the spring semester. For more information about the honors scholars award, contact the campus honors coordinators.

Macklin Business Institute Scholars Program

The Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Business Institute Scholars Program is a competitive collegewide program offering business students an opportunity to pursue honors coursework in accounting, economics, and statistics, and to participate in a weekly honors seminar. Students meet and interact with business leaders and may qualify for a business internship. Students admitted to the one-year sophomore-level or two-year program are provided with the use of a laptop computer and are usually offered a scholarship benefit that covers the in-county full-time cost of tuition and fees (up to 30 credit hours at the in-county rate per academic year).

To apply for the two-year program, students must have completed high school graduation requirements by the end of June or must be returning Montgomery College students with fewer than 12 credits. Scholars are chosen on the basis of high school records, SAT scores, recommendations, essays, and interviews. The application process for the two-year program begins each year in September, with applications due in mid January. Students are notified of their acceptance in April.

To apply for the one-year sophomore-level program, students should have 24-36 transferable credits and be following a business transfer program in preparation for transfer to a program for completion of a bachelor’s degree. The application period for the one-year program begins each year in February, with applications due April 30. Students are notified in June of their acceptance for the fall semester, which is when the one-year program begins.

Students are expected to maintain 12 or more credits per semester during their participation in the program. For more information, please e-mail mbi@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit the website at www.macklin.org.

Montgomery Scholars Program

The Montgomery Scholars Program, which opened on the Rockville Campus in fall 1999, is a selective-admissions program designed for high school graduates who plan to transfer to a four-year institution at the end of two years. Scholars are chosen on the basis of high school records, SAT scores, intellectual interests, extracurricular activities, recommendations, essays, and other indicators of academic excellence.

Montgomery Scholars participate in an academically rigorous curriculum of honors courses, including team-taught, interdisciplinary classes especially designed for the program. During the summer between their freshman and sophomore years, students have the opportunity to participate in a summer study travel experience. The capstone experience of the program is an honors colloquium. Students study and research an important issue related to their major and area of academic interest and present their research in a public colloquium. The Montgomery Scholars Program emphasizes the importance of expert counseling in helping students to plan their course of study and prepare their portfolios for transfer.

For more information, contact Dr. Mary Furgol, at mary.furgol@montgomerycollege.edu or visit the website www.montgomerycollege.edu/admissions/MCScholars.

Renaissance Scholars Honors Program at Germantown and Takoma Park/Silver Spring

The Renaissance Scholars Program is designed to accommodate the needs of both part-time and full-time high-achieving students interested in a challenging curriculum while they acquire courses needed for their associate’s degree and beyond. The core of the program consists of team-taught, interdisciplinary pairs of courses that are offered in the late afternoons, evenings, and on weekends.

In addition to stimulating coursework, students have the opportunity to participate in numerous social, cultural, and academic experiences outside of the classroom that help foster a learning community and enrich the students’ educational experiences. Students in this honors program receive scholarship support, special advising, and the opportunity to receive College credit for a study/travel experience during the summer. Admission to this honors program is selective and requires a separate application process. Students are selected on the basis of a portfolio that includes an essay, a personal or professional résumé, and letters of recommendation.

For more information, contact Professor Joan Naake at the Germantown Campus at joan.naake@montgomerycollege.edu, or Dr. Carole Wolin at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus at carole.wolin@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit the website www.montgomerycollege.edu/renscholars.

Information Technology Institute

In response to the need for skilled information technology workers, the College established the Information Technology Institute (ITI). ITI offers cutting-edge technology courses at all three College campuses as well as at off-campus centers in Gaithersburg and Wheaton. ITI also provides customized training at business sites throughout the region.

ITI is designed to prepare new workers and retrain existing workers to fill positions in Montgomery County’s high-technology market. Noncredit courses are available to meet a wide range of student needs and career goals. Courses are taught by knowledgeable practitioners in the field who bring their on-the-job expertise to the classroom.

The College is a member of the Microsoft IT Academy, through which ITI offers courses in the Microsoft Official Curriculum. The College is also a member of the Oracle Academic Initiative, the Oracle Workforce Development Program, and the Cisco Systems Networking Academy. Courses in these programs offer students the opportunity to prepare for industry certification examinations.

Special programs provided by ITI include TechLEAP, a 6-12 month retraining program for individuals seeking new careers in the information technology field. TechLEAP offers three career paths in web design, programming, and networking. In addition to classes, participants may be eligible for paid internships with area employers.

For more information on ITI, please e-mail edmund.palaszynski@montgomerycollege.edu, or visit the website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/iti.

Study Abroad and International Education Program

The Study Abroad (STBR) and International Education Program (IEP) has been developed to bring a greater awareness of world cultures and global perspectives, as well as to augment academics and workforce development to the student body, college employees, and the community through study abroad, professional development, and service learning activities. These approaches cover three interrelated areas: culture, curriculum, and programs.

Culture: The international richness of Montgomery College’s enrollment enhances students understanding and appreciation of one another through daily contact. STBR and IEP further enrich the College and community population through special programs that include exhibitions, student scholars’ presentations, performances, lectures, films, discussions, and college employee professional development presentations.

Curriculum: The international studies concentration of the liberal arts and sciences curriculum was developed by the College’s faculty to allow students to explore careers in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), foreign service and international business, to name a few areas. In addition, many courses have an international focus that reflects the College’s emphasis on global issues. A study abroad component also accompanies various course offerings. Faculty who incorporate study abroad in existing courses are compensated for the additional component.    

Programs: STBR and IEP offer long- and short-term study abroad opportunities. Students may select from a consortium of institutions in more than 26 countries to study abroad for a semester, a summer, or a year. These accredited academic institutions provide programs, courses, and room and board for students. To participate, students must have a 2.5 grade point average and at least 12 college-level credits. A semester of advance planning through the Office of Study Abroad and International Education is required before going abroad. In addition, to enhance student knowledge of the world, faculty members offer short-term study abroad related to the study areas of selected credit courses. Study groups have gone to Russia, China, England, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, Egypt, Morocco, Mexico, Thailand, Vietnam, Senegal, Peru, India, Cuba, and Iceland, to name a few locations. Typically, two destinations are offered each academic year, and yearly brochures highlight courses with a study abroad component. Students who do not wish to take a 15-week credit course but who want to participate in the travel experience may do so through pre-departure classes in partnership with Workforce Development.

For more information, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/studyabroad or contact Dr. Greg Malveaux, coordinator, Study Abroad, at greg.malveaux@montgomerycollege.edu.

Internships - See Cooperative Education & Internship Program

Information about internship opportunities is also available from Student Employment Services, the Career/Transfer Centers, academic departments, counselors, and advisers.

MC/MCPS/USG Partnerships

Montgomery County Public Schools

There are currently 31 academic initiatives in the MC and MCPS partnership designed to help prepare students for a smooth transition to postsecondary education. The Office of Concurrent Enrollment has been developed to better serve the full spectrum of student needs.

For more information, visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/mcps.

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment is one of the College’s Academic Initiatives offered to advanced high school students. Select students accepted to the College are enrolled in credit courses while still attending high school, providing an educational experience beyond what is available at the secondary level. High school juniors and seniors who meet the College’s dual enrollment criteria may enhance their schedule with college course work and experience the independence of college-level study while also earning college credit. For more information visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/dep.

Career Programs of Study

Career Programs of Study are pre-college academic programs that focus on specific career pathways. Students who earn at least a “B” in college-level coursework at their high schools may earn college credits when they enroll at Montgomery College in a related program of study. This gives students a head start on college, and saves money because the credits earned in high school are free; there is no tuition charged, no book or lab costs, and no registration fees. Students in this program also gain hands-on skills that will allow them to make informed decisions about college majors and career choices. The following programs are available:

Prince George’s County Public Schools students enrolled in the Automotive Technology or Building Trades programs, Howard County Public Schools students enrolled in the Biotechnology program, Washington County Public Schools students enrolled in the Building Trades program, and District of Columbia Public School students enrolled in the Biotechnology Program, earn credits on the same basis as MCPS Career Programs of Study students. Any Printing Management completer at any public high school in the State of Maryland may transfer appropriate credits to Montgomery College under the statewide Printing Management Technology articulation agreement. At Montgomery College, the career programs of study are facilitated through the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. For more information, please visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/departments/mcmcps/techprep/index.htm.

Universities at Shady Grove

A unique partnership with USG allows College students to earn bachelor’s degrees from University System of Maryland four-year institutions offering programs in Montgomery County. Students can complete an associate’s degree at the College and then complete the final two years of study for a bachelor’s degree at USG, conveniently located in Rockville.

The following institutions are currently involved in this partnership: Bowie State University; Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maryland, Eastern Shore; and University of Maryland University College.

Institutions in this partnership offer courses at USG that can be applied toward undergraduate degrees in the following areas:

• accounting,
• biological sciences,
• biotechnology,
• business,
• communication studies,
• computer and information science,
• computer networks and security,
• construction management technology,
• criminology and criminal justice,
• cybersecurity,
• digital media and web technology,
• education,
• exercise science,
• health systems management,
• history,
• hotel and restaurant management,
• human resources,
• investigative forensics,
• information systems management,
• laboratory management,
• management with a specialization in entrepreneurship,
• marketing,
• nursing,
• political science,
• psychology,
• public health science,
• public safety administration
• respiratory therapy
• simulation and digital entertainment, and
• social work.

Additional programs will be added in future semesters. Please consult USG’s website (www.shadygrove.umd.edu) for more information. The student’s diploma will be from the specific institution offering the degree program.

USG also offers graduate-level programs in a variety of areas, including biotechnology, business administration, cybersecurity, information technology, education, engineering, health care administration, industrial organizational psychology, management, nursing pharmacy, public administration, publications design, social work, and technology management.

These programs are offered through the institutions listed above. A variety of certificate programs are also available through University of Maryland University College. Because of the nature of the specialized programs and courses, students interested in transferring to USG must carefully plan their academic program at the College. For more information about degree programs and admission, contact an MC adviser; call USG at 301-738-6023; or visit www.shadygrove.umd.edu or www.montgomerycollege.edu/MC2USG.

Montgomery County Collaboration Board

The MC Board of Trustees and the Montgomery County Board of Education seek the advice and counsel of residents of the community, employers, and educational representatives through the establishment of cluster advisory committees. Operating under the Montgomery County Collaboration Board (MCCB), these advisory committee members serve to advise, counsel, and assist in the planning, development, and evaluation of the MCPS and MC systems’ efforts in creating and maintaining a well-prepared, educated, and adaptable workforce to meet the current and future needs of employers through articulated programs in Montgomery County. The MCCB serves as a forum for critical stakeholders to engage in dialogue on the ways and means of providing cutting-edge education and training programs to the county’s secondary and postsecondary students.

While the MCCB is advisory in nature and is not charged with administrative, policy-making, or legislative responsibility, the members’ recommendations influence actions in providing rigorous and realistic preparation for students. The operations of the MCCB are divided among 11 Career Cluster Advisory Boards, each with its own workforce specialization.

Cluster Advisory Board specializations include the following areas:

• Arts, Humanities, Media, and Communication
• Biosciences, Health, and Medicine
• Business Management and Finance
• Construction and Development
• Education, Training, and Child Studies
• Engineering, Research, and Manufacturing
• Environmental, Agricultural, and National Resources
• Human and Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism
• Information Technologies
• Law, Government, Public Safety, and Administration
• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics.

The regular voting members of the overarching MCCB consist of an MCCB president, 11 Career Cluster Advisory Board presidents, and one student representative from both MCPS and MC.

At Montgomery College, the MCCB is facilitated through the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Paul Peck Humanities Institute

The Paul Peck Humanities Institute enriches the learning and teaching experiences of Montgomery College students and faculty, from all disciplines, through the humanities. The Institute reaches students in three ways: by offering humanities events that enable students on all three campuses to interact with speakers engaged in a wide variety of topics; by generating the Smithsonian Faculty Fellowship program, in support of Montgomery College faculty who utilize the Smithsonian as a teaching resource; and by providing internship programs that diversify the learning opportunities of high-achieving students.

The Paul Peck Humanities Institute generates various additional programs and collaborations designed to enrich the experience of learners at Montgomery College and in our wider communities. For more information, please visit the website www.montgomerycollege.edu/humanities, or contact sara.ducey@montgomerycollege.edu.

The Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Internship Programs:

HONR 275 PA ,HONR 275 PB, and HONR 275 PG

The Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Internship Programs provide unique opportunities for Montgomery College students to experience the professional environment of world-class museum and library research activities. Samples of activities an intern may participate in include: assisting with new or ongoing research programs, performing collection analysis and organization, designing and preparing new exhibits, abstracting and archiving academic materials, and planning new educational programs. Eligible students have completed 15 credit hours of coursework at Montgomery College, have earned a 3.4 overall grade point average, and will have completed ENGL 102  or ENGL 103  with grades of B or better prior to applying for the internship. Interested students should prepare themselves for this opportunity by taking General Education courses and earning high grades.

Students serve 240 hours at the internship site (typically 16 hours/week during fall or spring, and 20 hours per week during summer I and II). Stipends of $1,100 may be awarded to program interns as funding is available and are intended to help with tuition and/or transportation costs related to commuting to the internship site.

Potomac Review Internships

HONR 275 PF

Internships with the Potomac Review offer Montgomery College students the opportunity to be involved in all facets of magazine production, including decision making about layout, design, and the selection of submissions. Interns play a key role in organizing the annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference. Eligible Montgomery College students have completed one of the following creative writing courses with a grade of B or better: ENGL 264 , ENGL 265 , ENGL 272 , ENGL 273 , and HONR 251 CJ (Writing Your Novel). Other courses may be considered for eligibility.

Internship awards cover the cost of three in-county credit hours and are awarded pending available funding.

For more information, please visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/humanities, or contact Professor Julia Wakeman-Linn at PotomacReviewEditor@montgomerycollege.edu.

Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

Phi Theta Kappa is the international honor society for students at community colleges. The Beta Kappa Omega (Germantown), Beta Lambda Alpha (Rockville), and Kappa Omega (Takoma Park/Silver Spring) chapters were chartered at the College in 1960. To be considered for invitation to Phi Theta Kappa, a student must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 for at least 15 credit hours of college-level coursework (excluding AELP courses) at the College. A cumulative grade point average of 3.4 is required to maintain membership. Invitation to Phi Theta Kappa represents one of the highest honors that can be bestowed on a student at the College.

For more information, please contact Lucy Laufe (lucy.laufe@montgomerycollege.edu) at the Germantown Campus, Sue Adler (sue.adler@montgomerycollege.edu) or Brian Baick (brian.baick@montgomerycollege.edu) at the Rockville Campus, and James Walters (james.walters@montgomerycollege.edu) at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus.

School of Art + Design at Montgomery College

The School of Art + Design (SA+D) at Montgomery College provides students a portfolio-intensive, art school experience designed to prepare them for transfer to premier art colleges. This studio-intensive program is located at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus in The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation Arts Center.

In the SA+D program, students can earn an associate of fine arts degree (AFA) with major concentrations in either studio art  or graphic design . The AFA degree is designed as the first half of a four-year bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree. Two-thirds of the required coursework is in studio art or graphic design and one-third is in general education courses. Coursework is designed to facilitate transfer to baccalaureate institutions and the application process for scholarships at those same institutions.

Prospective students must submit a portfolio of previous artwork, an SA+D application, official transcripts (high school or college) that reflect a 2.3 or better grade point average, and a letter of recommendation. Students must be accepted into the SA+D program prior to course registration. All students in SA+D are assigned a faculty mentor. Faculty mentors work individually with students to prepare them for the two required comprehensive portfolio reviews and the SA+D graduating student exhibition.

The studio-intensive curriculum, combined with a comprehensive program of co-curricular activities, continues the artists’ community environment that has been a tradition for over 50 years. For more information, e-mail andrea.adams@montgomerycollege.edu or visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/schoolofartanddesign.

Continuing Education/Workforce Development Program

The SA+D Continuing Education/Workforce Development Program provides quality noncredit courses in fine arts and visual communications for youth and adults in studio art, photography, and graphic design for print and web. The program provides opportunities for portfolio building, lifelong learning, personal enrichment, and professional skill development. Highly qualified instructors, well-equipped facilities, small class sizes, and convenient course schedules provide a creative, supportive environment for students at all levels.

SA+D is committed to collaborating with other community organizations and educational centers to provide learning venues outside the College campuses to meet art education and training needs throughout Montgomery County. For more information, e-mail nan.mccoy@montgomerycollege.edu or visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/schoolofartanddesign.

SA+D Pre-College Portfolio Institute

Throughout the year, SA+D provides precollege portfolio development courses, including an intensive summer Pre-College Portfolio Institute. These programs are offered to high school juniors and seniors (sophomores accepted on a space-available basis) and adults to build artistic skills and develop a well-rounded portfolio for potential college admission and scholarship reviews. For more information, e-mail nan.mccoy@montgomerycollege.edu or visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/schoolofartanddesign.

Women’s Studies

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGSP) offers courses about women and gender for both women and men. The program is designed to explore the experiences and cultural contributions of women and those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) community as well as examine the societal implications of gender. Informed by feminist, gender, and sexuality theory, the courses in the WGSP challenge false assumptions and theories about women, gender, sexuality, race, and class; encourage rigorous critical thinking; raise issues of gender bias and the subjective nature of knowledge; support students’ development as individuals and as participating members of their larger communities; and expand women’s and men’s options beyond the limits of traditional gender roles. These writing-intensive courses help students consider the differences gender and sexuality make-in family relationships, friendships, education, and work. These classes are comfortable settings for delving into scholarship and theory.

In addition to the interdisciplinary introductory courses on women’s, gender, and LGBT studies, courses in the program include women’s history, philosophy, literature, sociology, psychology, physical education, and health. Honors modules are available for some classes. Opportunities to pursue independent study projects are also available. Service learning and internship opportunities are frequently offered.

Most courses fulfill General Education requirements in the humanities or behavioral and social sciences distribution areas as well as the College’s multicultural requirement.

A certificate in women’s studies can be earned by students who complete 18 or more credits in courses approved by the WGSP. These courses must include WMST 101 , Introduction to Women’s Studies. The WGSP also features speakers, seminars, and other programs, including active women’s studies student clubs. Student awards and scholarships are presented annually.

For more information at the Germantown Campus, please visit the office at 225 Humanities and Social Sciences Building; for more information at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, please visit the office at 227 North Pavilion. The collegewide office, located in 212 Macklin Tower, Rockville Campus, provides academic advising and materials and information on upcoming events.