What is Dual Enrollment?

Within MCPS, Dual Enrollment is the term used to describe students who are dually enrolled in an MCPS high school and a postsecondary institution of higher learning. 

What are some of the benefits of Dual Enrollment?

Dual Enrollment programs enable students to:

• Take a college courses at no cost during specific semesters from the regular cost of courses after high school graduation (see the Financial Information section HERE for financials details of each dual enrollment program);

• Earn transferable college credits by taking college courses while still in high school;

• Learn good academic habits and new skills;

• Improve time management skills;

• Form accurate perspectives of what skills and education are needed to be successful at the college level, and

• Complete high school and/or college ahead of their peers.

Who can participate in Dual Enrollment?

There are some specific requirements associated with the Middle and Early College Dual Enrollment Programs; however, for Jumpstart to College (general Dual Enrollment options) students must:

• Be enrolled in an MCPS high school.

• Receive parent/guardian and principal approval.

• Assess college level via approved college ready measure (e.g. ACT, SAT, ACCUPLACER, etc.).

• Have at least a 2.75 unweighted  cumulative GPA. For seniors, a  2.5 unweighted cumulative GPA is needed.

What high school graduation credit can be earned through the Dual Enrollment Program?

While not every college course is approved for high school credit, students may earn high school credit for hundreds of courses offered at Montgomery College (MC).  A list of approved MC courses and the corresponding high school credit can be found here.    

What is the difference between an Advanced Placement (AP) course and a college course?

The Maryland State Department of Education identifies College Board AP courses as college-like courses taught by high school teachers. Dual Enrollment courses are college courses taught by college professors. Both college and AP courses offer rigorous options for students. Students will earn college credit with the successful completion of the college course. Students may earn college credit with the completion of the AP course and identified score on the AP exam. It is recommended that students research which colleges/universities accept AP and/or Dual Enrollment course credit.  

Do colleges and universities accept credits earned through dual enrollment?

Approved credits earned through dual enrollment transfer to universities within the University System of Maryland (USM).  If leaving USM, we encourage students to contact the university of interest and inquire directly.  Just like AP scores, some universities take them and some don’t.

What resources can a student access at the college if they are dually enrolled?

A high school student can access all resources available to a MC student (Library, free tutoring at the Tutoring Center, Writing Center, online data bases, on-line Writing Center, etc).

Who do I contact and/or where do I go for more information about Dual Enrollment?

You may contact your child’s counselor or the high school’s Dual Enrollment Program Assistant (DEPA). Click here for a list of DEPAs.  You also may visit the Montgomery College Dual Enrollment webpage for more details about Dual Enrollment procedures and deadlines.