By Jasmin Blackmon
Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) is opening new doors for high school students looking to jumpstart their higher education and career pathways. Through a dynamic new dual enrollment partnership with the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), local high schoolers can now pursue one of three undergraduate certificates while in high school.
The initiative gives eligible PGCPS high school juniors the opportunity to take online college-level coursework directly through UMGC. Designed with student flexibility and career readiness in mind, the program allows scholars to explore rapidly growing, high-demand industries while building momentum toward careers with market relevance at no cost.
What the Program Offers
The dual enrollment expansion provides students with direct exposure to college-level rigor while expanding access to specialized academic tracks.
Key benefits of the UMGC-PGCPS partnership include:
- Flexible Online Learning: Courses are delivered fully online, allowing students to balance high school coursework, extracurriculars, and personal commitments.
- Career-Aligned Pathways: Coursework connects directly to undergraduate certificates in Artificial Intelligence Foundations, Leadership and Ethics, and Spanish for Business and the Professions.
- Tuition-Free College Credit: Eligible course costs, tuition, and fees are covered through the district’s dual enrollment initiative, helping families save thousands on future higher education expenses.
Student Eligibility Requirements
To participate in the UMGC dual enrollment program, PGCPS students must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled as a junior in a Prince George’s County public high school.
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 unweighted cumulative GPA.
- Receive approval from their high school professional school counselor.
- Complete the UMGC dual enrollment application along with the required PGCPS Intent to Enroll form.
How to Get Started
PGCPS students and families interested in taking advantage of this partnership are encouraged to connect with their school’s counseling department.
To learn more about PGCPS and UMGC’s Dual Enrollment Program and course offerings, visit https://www.umgc.edu/transfers-and-credits/pgcps
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