Montgomery College 2023-2024 Catalog 
    
    Oct 06, 2024  
Montgomery College 2023-2024 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

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. An on-campus academic coach provides academic support and guidance to ACES students to help facilitate their degree completion and transfer to a four-year college or university if they choose to attend Montgomery College. Students who choose to continue their education at the Universities at Shady Grove are provided with ongoing support to ensure bachelor’s degree completion.

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

ATPA - Achieving the Promise Academy

The Achieving the Promise Academy is MC’s academic coaching program, created to ensure every student has the assistance, opportunities, and tools needed to succeed in college. No matter where you are on your academic journey, our Academic Coaches can help you build on your strengths and target areas for improvement so you can excel academically and achieve your full potential. Participating in academic coaching has been shown to help students build their confidence, pass their classes, improve their grades, save money, and stay on track to graduate or transfer on time⁠-and it’s free and open to any student registered for courses at MC. ATPA offers embedded academic coaching for course success and personal academic coaching for college success to students enrolled at any campus or taking classes remotely.

Embedded academic coaching is offered in specific sections of courses that have been historically challenging for students to pass. When you register for a course with ATPA support, you’ll have a specialized embedded coach that can help you with that course’s assignments, exams, and more. Personal academic coaches can help you create a personalized academic success plan and will meet with you weekly to help you succeed. They’ll be your coach until you graduate or transfer and can help you stay motivated to achieve your long-term goals. All MC students are also invited to book a drop-in coaching session to meet with a coach right away and participate in weekly Learning Community Hour (LCH) workshops to learn academic and life skills that help you succeed here at MC and beyond.

To learn more about the benefits of academic coaching, register for upcoming workshops, or get connected to an academic coach, visit the Achieving the Promise Academy at www.montgomerycollege.edu/atpa.

Arts Institute

The Arts Institute promotes, enhances, and supports the visual, performing, and media arts at the College encouraging interdepartmental and intercampus exchange and collaboration. With support from the Montgomery College Foundation and the College’s donors, the Arts Institute brings distinguished guest artists and events to all three campuses for the benefit of students, faculty, staff, and the community.

Through its artist residencies, guest lectures, workshops, performances, master classes, exhibitions, concert series, 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.

The Arts Institute supports internships that allow students to discover career options in the arts and combine learning in the classroom with on-the-job experience. 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.

Arts Institute Mission:

  • to support exceptional creative opportunities in the arts for students, faculty, staff, and the community
  • to enrich the experiences of MC students outside of the classroom, allowing them to engage with the arts and improve their opportunities for academic and professional success 
  • to encourage interdepartmental and intercampus collaboration and exchange of information and ideas 
  • to promote MC’s arts on and beyond the College’s three campuses   
  • to invigorate the college community by offering arts events of exceptional quality and scope
  • to enrich the cultural life of Montgomery County through collaboration with arts and educational organizations 

For more information on the Arts Institute, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/artsinstitute or e-mail elizabeth.melanson@montgomerycollege.edu.

Developmental Courses

Developmental courses are offered for students who need to strengthen their academic foundations in English, reading, or mathematics in order to be successful in college-level courses. Students may be required to enroll in one or more developmental courses or in a corequisite developmental support module paired with a college-level course based on their academic records, the results of assessment and placement measures, such as guided placement, or 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 must be completed before a student earns 24 credit hours. See Appropriate Course Placement in the  Admissions and Registration  section of this catalog for more information.

English as a Second Language
English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP)

The English Language for Academic Purposes (ELAP) program offers courses designed to increase the English language proficiency of non-native speakers of English so that they can succeed in their college work. The program includes two courses that focus on Writing and Grammar (ELAW 970   and ELAW 980 ), two courses that focus on Reading (ELAR 970  and ELAR 980 ), two courses that focus on Oral/Aural skills (ELAS 970  and ELAS 980 ), and one capstone Integrated Skills course (ELAI 990 ) that focuses on reading and oral/aural skills as well as writing, grammar, and basic information literacy. Students placed in this program must pass or test out of ELAI 990  in order to take many of the courses that count towards a degree at Montgomery College.

Following admission to the College, students complete placement to determine their current level of English proficiency, as required by College regulations. Depending on their level of proficiency in writing, reading, and speaking, non-native speakers may earn a placement in one or more ELAP courses, in ENGL101/011, or in the  College’s Workforce Development and Continuing Education ESL Program [the American Pre-Academic and Professional English program (APPE)]. 

Students may enroll in ELAP on a full-time or part-time basis on all three campuses. For assistance or additional information, contact a campus Counseling and Advising Office or the ELAP department at the Germantown, Rockville, or Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus.

Global Humanities Institute

The Global Humanities Institute is a global education project of Montgomery College, funded in part through a six-year “Bridging Cultures” challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Montgomery College Foundation.

The Association of American Colleges and Universities has identified global awareness and literacy as essential skills for the work and thinking our students will have to perform in the near future, thanks to the unprecedented interconnectedness of nations and cultures in the world today. The GHI answers this call by supporting the systematic integration of global perspectives and knowledge to humanities courses. We accomplish this through:

  • Faculty training to enable revision of existing courses.
  • The General Education course, GHUM 101  -  Introduction to Global Humanities , offered on every campus.
  • A faculty-created scholarship, ‘The  Rita Kranidis Scholarship Fund.’
  • College-wide community engagement and public education events delivered in collaboration with other programs within and beyond the College.
  • Scholarly exchanges, webinar conferences, virtual expert speakers, sabbatical leave options, and travel to our university partners in various countries.
  • The GHI supports interdisciplinary work among STEM and Humanities faculty and students through an annual STEAM event that examines teaching an issue of global concern, such as food and water.
  • We bring the world into our classrooms through our Global Classrooms program that enables direct experiential learning through the virtual combination of classes at MC and at our international academic partners.

The GHI supports the global education efforts of other institutions through informal and formal mentorship, by sharing our work, resources and products through presentations at academic conferences, publications, and our comprehensive website, www.montgomerycollege.edu/globalhumanities. Join us as we work to meet the imperative goal of preparing students for a global future.

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 three primary areas: automotive technology; building trades technology; and workforce technologies, which includes computer repair, welding, and FabLab. GITE offers both credit and noncredit courses taught via classroom and lab training, onsite 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.

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 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 high-achieving students. 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 3.4 grade point average (GPA) until they either graduate from the College or transfer to another institution.

Honors Program students receive special advising opportunities, including information about scholarships and transfer counseling. They can also participate in activities set up for honors students such as clubs, honors conferences, lectures, 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 3.4.

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 3.4 GPA, including a grade of A or B in ENGL 101 .

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 Honors Director and Chair, at lucy.laufe@montgomerycollege.edu; Dr. Christina Devlin, Germantown Campus Honors Coordinator at christina.devlin@montgomerycollege.edu; or Professor Effie Siegel, Rockville Campus Honors Coordinator at effie.siegel@montgomerycollege.edu or the Level 4 Honors Advisors Professor Zhou Dong zhou.dong@montgomerycollege.edu and Professor Andree Betancourt andree.betancourt@montgomerycollege.edu.

Students who do not enroll in the Honors Program, but wish to take honors classes, must have a minimum 3.4 GPA and must have completed at least 12 credit hours of college-level coursework, including ENGL 101  with a grade of A or B. Exceptions to these requirements may be made on a case-by-case basis by the Collegewide Honors Chair. 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 or Level 4 Advisors.

Macklin Business Institute Scholars Program

The Gordon and Marilyn Macklin Business Institute Scholars Program is a competitive college-wide program offering business students an opportunity to participate in experiential learning initiatives, weekly seminars, and to pursue honors coursework in accounting, business administration, and economics. Students admitted to the midyear program or two-year program are 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, or 15 per semester).

To apply for the two-year program, students must be enrolled in their final year of high school and be on schedule to completed high school graduation requirements by the end of June or must be returning Montgomery College students who will have fewer than 12 credits. MBI students 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 early January. Students are notified of their acceptance in March.

To apply for the mid-year program, students should be in the equivalent of their first semester (12 to 24 transferable credits) and be following an AA in Business degree program in preparation for transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree. The application period for the mid-year program begins each year in October, with applications due in early December. Students are notified in early January of their acceptance for the spring semester.

Students are required 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 interdisciplinary honors scholarship 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, depending on available funding, 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 plan their course of study and prepare their portfolios for transfer.

First Year:
ENGL 202 HA & HB - Introduction to World Literature II (3)
HIST 117 HA & HB - World History: A Comparative Survey from A.D.1500 to the Present (3)
MUSC 117 HA & HB - World Music (3)
ENGL 102 HC - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research (3)
ANTH 201 HC - Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology (3)
PLUS COURSES FOR YOUR MAJOR

Second Year:
HONR 280 HA & HB - Capstone: Research in Disciplines (3)
POLI 203 HA & HB - International Relations (3)
PLUS COURSES FOR YOUR MAJOR

For more information, visit the website www.montgomerycollege.edu/mcscholars

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

The Renaissance Scholars Honors 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 and evenings.

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.

IgnITe Hub

The ignITe Hub, on the Rockville campus in the Mannakee Building, is Montgomery College’s center for digital learning and entrepreneurship, providing a 2,000 foot space where students and community members of all ages, including K-12, can come to learn new technology, work on collaborative projects, and develop apps to launch businesses.  Businesses will participate to provide mentoring, or, to learn new technology skills. 

Information Technology Institute

In response to the need for skilled information technology workers, the College established the Information Technology Institute (ITI). ITI offers technology courses at all three College campuses as well as at off-campus center in Gaithersburg. 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 AWS Academy, and the Cisco Systems Networking Academy. Courses in these programs offer students the opportunity to prepare for industry certification examinations.

For more information on ITI, please e-mail Eunice.Melo@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, service learning, global Internships, and virtual overseas experiences. 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 real-time virtual overseas experiences, 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, language arts, environmental sciences, and in the US Department of State sector, 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-term study abroad, short-term overseas study, and virtual global Internship opportunities. For long term study abroad, 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. In addition, we offer virtual global Internships in Asia and Europe, lasting one, two, or three months in length, with over a dozen fields and disciplines to choose from. To participate in long term study abroad or virtual global Internships, 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 and staff 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.  Two to four destinations are offered each academic year, and are highlighted in the Study Abroad and International Education website. Each program merges with an existing cataloged course.   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. Gregory Malveaux, coordinator, Study Abroad, at gregory.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 multiple initiatives in the MC and MCPS partnership designed to help prepare students for a smooth transition to postsecondary education. The Office of Academic Initiatives was created to better serve the full spectrum of student needs.

For more information, visit the website: www.montgomerycollege.edu/high-school-students.

Dual Enrollment

Dual Enrollment is an academic initiative that allows qualified high school students to be admitted and enrolled at Montgomery College to take credit courses while still completing their high school diploma requirements.

Students may enhance their schedule with college coursework and experience the independence of college-level study while also earning college credit. Students may take advantage of our dual enrollment programs to include individual College and career credit opportunities through Jumpstart to College or apply for one of our diploma+degree programs (Early College,  Virtual Middle College, Northwest/Northwood Middle College or P-Tech) For many students, these MC degrees will serve as a stepping-stone to continue on to a four-year college degree, a full two years earlier than is traditional.

MCPS students are eligible to enroll in college classes for free during the school year. Financial incentives are also available for qualifying private and homeschooled students. For more information on all dual enrollment opportunities visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/dep.

Early College

Early College (EC) is a dual enrollment program that provides the opportunity for students from all MCPS high schools to earn their associate’s degree while simultaneously completing their high school diploma requirements. Students are admitted into one of seventeen available degree majors. Students will apply to the program in the fall of 10th grade and will complete their 11th and 12th grade of high school by taking college courses full-time on one of the MC college campuses.  Tuition, fees, and textbooks are covered for all MCPS students throughout the program during the school year.

Middle College Programs

Virtual Middle College

Virtual Middle College (VMC) is a dual enrollment program that allows qualified MCPS high school students the opportunity to enroll at Montgomery College through an online/virtual college experience.  Students from all MCPS high schools may participate while still enrolled at their home MCPS high school. Students are admitted in to one of the College’s online degree programs and earn College credits through a combination of online MC courses and MCPS Advanced Placement courses with corresponding AP exam scores.  Students are supported through a progressive transition from a traditional high school experience to online/virtual college courses. Tuition, fees, and textbooks are covered for all MCPS students throughout the program during the school year.

Northwest HS and Northwood HS Middle College

Middle College (MC2) at Northwest and Northwood high schools. MC² is a dual enrollment program that provides the students to earn an Associate of Arts in General Studies, business or engineering(Northwest only).   Students complete their associate degree while simultaneously earning their high school diploma. Students are supported through a progressive transition from a traditional high school experience to an on-campus college experience.

College classes are delivered at the high school in grades 10 and 11 with the student coming on to the college campus in grade 12 to complete their degree requirements. Students enter the MC² program in 9th grade. Tuition, fees, and textbooks are covered for all MCPS students throughout the program during the school year.

Pathway in Network and Information Technology

Pathways in Network and Information Technology (P-TECH) is a MSDE grant-funded dual enrollment program that enables participating students to earn both an MCPS high school diploma and an Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) in Cloud Computing and Network Technology from MC at no cost while in high school. College classes are delivered at the high school in grade 10 with the students coming on to the college campus in grades 11 and 12 to complete their degree requirements.

The AAS degree will ensure that students will meet industry expectations and gain technical skills and workplace competencies as well as industry certifications.  Students receive internships and mentorship opportunities from local businesses, as well as first-look job opportunities after graduation.

This program is offered at Clarksburg High School with students entering the program in 9th grade.

Jumpstart to College

Jumpstart to College is a dual enrollment program that allows qualified high school students to enroll at MC to take one college course during their high school tenure or strategically plan a pathway to take up to 17+ college courses and earn 30 or more college credits. Jumpstart is designed to help college bound students get a “jumpstart” on their college degree by completing as many college courses as able while earning their high school diploma. Students can take classes at any MC campus, at their HS site (where available) or entirely online.  Over 400 courses in many disciplines are available for students to choose.

Students may continue at MC or transfer credits to another institution (where applicable). MCPS, private, out-of-county, homeschooled, and other public school students are eligible. Tuition, fees, and textbooks are covered for all MCPS students enrolled in credit courses during the school year.

Career Programs of Study

Career Programs of Study are pre-college academic programs offered by Montgomery County Public Schools that focus on specific career pathways. Students in select programs 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:

MCPS Program MC Program
Accounting/Finance Accounting/Business
Automotive Technology/Automotive Dealership Automotive Technology
Building Trades Building Trades Technology
Business Administration Computer Applications
Cisco Networking Cybersecurity
Computer Science Computer Science/Programming
Construction Management Architecture and Construction Technology
Early Child Development Early Childhood Education Technology
Graphic Communications Graphic Design
IT Programming, IT Networking and Web Design Computer Science/Information Systems/Computer/Programming/Gaming/Web Development
Homeland Security Criminal Justice
Justice, Law, and Society Paralegal Studies
Network Operations Network and Wireless Technologies
Professional Restaurant Management Hospitality Management

At Montgomery College, the career programs of study are facilitated through the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. For more information, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/cte.

Universities at Shady Grove (USG)

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 should complete an associate’s degree at the College and then complete the final two years of study of a bachelor’s degree at USG, conveniently located in Rockville.

The following institutions are currently involved in this partnership: Bowie State University (graduate level only); Salisbury University; Towson University; University of Baltimore; University of Maryland, Baltimore; UMBC; 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,
  • business administration
  • communication
  • communication studies,
  • computer and information science,
  • computer networks and cybersecurity,
  • construction management technology,
  • criminology and criminal justice,
  • cybersecurity management and policy,
  • digital media and web technology,
  • education,
  • exercise science,
  • embedded systems and the internet of things,
  • health systems management,
  • history,
  • hospitality and tourism management,
  • human resource management,
  • information science,
  • information systems management,
  • investigative forensics, laboratory management,
  • management with a specialization in entrepreneurship,
  • marketing,
  • nursing,
  • political science,
  • psychology,
  • public health science,
  • public safety administration,
  • simulation and game design,
  • social work
  • software development and security, and
  • translational life sciences technology

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 and will not reference USG on it.

USG’s Transfer Access Programs (TAP) create a more seamless transfer experience for students interested in attending programs offered by various USM four-year partners at USG by creating early access to USG advisers, services, and events while still attending MC; providing opportunities to build transfer readiness skills that align with the USG Career Readiness Competencies; and giving the student the opportunity to earn an Associate’s Degree and a Bachelor’s Degree.

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. A variety of certificate programs are also available.

Due to 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 counselor or program advisor; call USG at 301-738-6023; or visit www.shadygrove.umd.edu.

Talent Ready

The Talent Ready program was created by Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove, in collaboration with The Greater Washington Partnership, to increase baccalaureate degree attainment and professional success for students that have been historically underrepresented in information technology academic (IT) programs and careers. This program offers a structured and supported pathway to IT degree attainment for students in Montgomery County, MD. Additionally, Talent Ready encourages students to explore and persist in IT career pathways and to be prepared with the 21st century work readiness skills required by our region’s tech employers.

STEM Ready

STEM Ready diversifies our region’s future workforce by empowering students who are traditionally underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields to succeed in college and career. This program is a partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College (MC), the Universities at Shady Grove (USG), and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), along with local and regional industry representatives. Starting with an application in sophomore year of high school, this pathway supports students in Montgomery County to pursue STEM careers and be part of the regional STEM workforce.

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 post-secondary 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 a 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.

PPHI Humanities Internships - The Smithsonian Institution, Library of Congress, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Internship Programs: HONR 275PA, HONR 275PB, and HONR 275PG

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, digitizing documents, 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). Students receive a scholarship of $1250 to cover the cost of the HONR275 course.

Potomac Review Internships HONR 275PF

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 participate in local writing conferences and community events. 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 John Wang 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 membership in 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 ELAP courses) at the College. Invitation to Phi Theta Kappa represents one of the highest honors that can be earned by a student at the College.

Please contact the faculty advisors for PTK at the campuses.

Southern Management Leadership Program

The Southern Management Leadership 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 Program is open to all transferable majors starting at Montgomery College and finishing at the University of Maryland, College Park. Students receive a scholarship covering 55% of tuition plus books, mentoring, internships, and 3-credit courses that culminate in a minor in technology entrepreneurship at the University of Maryland. They also participate in a strong cohort experience with other aspiring entrepreneurs both at MC and UMD.

Minimum requirements to apply include a base GPA of 2.5 or higher, completion of one transferable math course, and a path to complete an associate’s degree within one year of enrollment in the Program. Applicants must be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree. Finally, they must be 1) Maryland residents and 2) U.S. citizens, students with permanent resident status, or students covered by the DREAM Act. To apply, students complete an online application form and submit one letter of recommendation. Selected students are then invited to an interview to determine their suitability for the program. A total of 20 students are accepted each year into this program. The priority deadline for applications is May 1 for the following fall semester.

More information about this program and the application form can be found at www.montgomerycollege.edu/smlp

Women’s and Gender Studies Program

The Women’s and Gender Studies Program (WGSP) offers courses about women and gender for all students. 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 options for all beyond 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 Honors 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 global and cultural perspectives requirement.

A certificate in women’s studies can be earned by students who complete 12 or more credits in courses approved by the WGSP. These courses must include WMST 101, Introduction to Women’s Studies or GNDS101, Introduction to Gender 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 186 Humanities and Social Sciences Building; for more information at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus, please visit the office at 208 Pavilion Three. The collegewide office, located at 212 Macklin Tower, Rockville Campus, provides academic advising and materials and information on upcoming events.