About The Program:
In keeping with our goals to ensure that every child is college and career ready, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) high school juniors and seniors have the opportunity to earn college credit, while still in high school through the Dual Enrollment Program.
Dual Enrollment Program Background: The College Readiness and Completion Act of 2013, Senate Bill 740 establishes a number of requirements designed at increasing college readiness and degree completion in the State. The bill includes a number of specific higher education initiatives from across the nation that streamline into this legislative act. The Bill’s targeted initiatives include dual enrollment, which provides eligible high school students the opportunity to take college courses while still in high school.
PGCPS will pay tuition for all students dually enrolled in qualified courses at any Maryland public college or university. Additionally, fees and textbooks are be paid for students who receive free and reduced meals.
PGCPS currently has formal agreements, Memorandum of Understandings, with Prince George's Community College and Bowie State University. As a benefit of the agreement, students are able to receive dual credit (credit that appear on both a student’s college and high school transcript). Additionally, the college shares student grades directly with PGCPS. If students are participating in Dual Enrollment at an institution where PGCPS does not have a formal agreement, grades must be submitted to the student’s high school to be added to their high school transcript.
PGCPS students must meet the following criteria to participate in the Dual Enrollment Program:
(Please note changes in eligibility requirements for the upcoming spring 2021 semester)
Be currently enrolled in a Prince George’s County Public Schools (Private and Homeschool students are not eligible for this particular program but may be eligible for Concurrent Enrollment Programs)
Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative high school grade point average with prior qualifying test scores (ACCUPLACER, SAT or ACT) for desired institution (Minimum admissions test score requirements may vary at each college)
OR
Have a minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative high school grade point average
Be enrolled in 11th or 12th grade (this includes the summer before a student’s junior year)
Students who qualify for the program will be contacted by PGCPS. If a student is not contacted and believes he/she qualifies for the program, they should email dual.enrollment@pgcps.org.
Dual Enrollment Assistance at Your High School
Professional High School Counselor
If a student is interested in the Dual Enrollment Program, they should reach out to their high school counselor. High school counselors are available to assist students and parents with navigating the application process, directing students to needed supports like COAST and approving desired courses.
COAST
In an effort to boost statewide college-readiness initiatives, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) has partnered with PGCPS to place COAST Coordinators in 18 of our 21 high schools. These Coordinators work to support the counseling department at the high schools and are available to assist students and parents in maneuvering the dual enrollment process. Students and parents can access more information about the program and the contact information for the COAST Coordinator at https://www.pgcc.edu/coast/
Key Dates to Remember:
Prince George’s County Public School Universal Intent to Enroll Due date for Spring 2021 semester – November 25, 2020
Bowie State University 2021 Application Due Date - November 25, 2020
Bowie University 2021 Application Opens – October 30, 2020
Prince George’s Community College 2021 Spring Online Application Opens – November 9, 2020
Prince George’s Community College 2021 Spring Application Due Date – November 25, 2020