Dual degree classes

[Anonymous]

I am the mom of a freshman. I have a question about a dual degree (free) during the fall and spring semesters. How do students manage to attend community colleges during the school year? Are these classes all online or evening classes ? Or they leave school early? I saw several posts about dual degree classes, but I didn't get how it is feasible during the school year. Please explain all experienced mom here, TIA. Is there any benefit of a dual degree to get into UMD collage park?

[Anonymous]

There are multiple options for attending MC as an MCPS HS student.

1. Middle College offered at some HS. I believe Northwood is one.

2. Ad hoc classes in the fall or spring. MCPS will pay for 2 of these classes per semester. Your kid could take evening, weekend, or online classes. Classes are still taken at the HS. If the schedule works, your kid could leave school early for a class.

3. Early College Program--this is the full blown AA degree program. MCPS pays for all classes and the program is 2 years. There are defined majors and they have required classes. You can't deviate from the requirements. Even the electives are relatively pre defined as they cohort the students. For this program, the kids no longer attend class at the local HS.

There is no defined advantage in obtaining a dual degree when it comes to UMD admissions. Even if they obtain their AA degree, they still apply as a freshman and go through the traditional HS college application process. Now, there would be an advantage if they were admitted in that the MC credits would transfer to UMD and your kid would enter with higher standing. But the MC-->UMD transfer option is not available for kids who do the dual degree program.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, just for clarification. For option 2, kids take classes at both their HS and the college. Not that the college classes are offered at the HS like they are at Northwood.

[Anonymous]

This person is totally correct. There is one other options but I’m not sure how wide-spread it is.

Some DE classes are taught physically at a HS but as one-off classes. Like at B-CC you can take, for example, a Dual Enrollment business class that meets at B-CC but is taught by an MC instructor that goes to B-CC. At least at B-CC these classes are taught two days a week during sixth and seventh periods. You are technically enrolled in MC for these classes but they are designed to work on campus during the regular school day.

These offerings are pretty narrow and I’m not sure how many schools have this. If by happenstance your kid is interested in the topic, the classes can make sense.