Howard Community College

Fall 2015 | Pathways 5 Your Questions Answered About Early College What's the benefit to Howard County students and families? The Early College courses will be rigorous and challenging, and students will earn college credit while in high school and a college degree only one year after high school instead of the typical two years for an associate degree. This will save families money and will put students on the pathway to future academic success. After students earn their associate degrees, they will be able to transfer to Maryland's public four-year colleges and universities or elsewhere. If students choose to transfer prior to earning their associate degree, they will have the support and guidance of HCC transfer advisors. College credits earned at HCC transfer to Maryland public four-year colleges and universities, and most private colleges and out-of-state schools. What will an Early College course schedule look like? Students will take high school classes during their 9th and 10th grade years, be engaged in college prep activities, and be introduced to their Early College learning cohort. In the 11th grade, students will begin taking a few college courses alongside their high school courses. These college-level courses will be taught at the ARL and Oakland Mills High School. For 12th grade, students will take almost all of their courses at Howard Community College. Are there other ways for students to earn college credit from HCC while still in high school? Yes. In addition to Early College, Howard Community College offers a variety of options for students wanting an advanced start on their college education, including dual enrollment and early entrance programs for high school students. These programs allow students to take college credit courses while still in high school. For more information on Early College, visit howardcc.edu/earlycollege.

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