Oct 08, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

About WDCE


About Continuing Education Courses

Prince George’s Community College  provides a wide variety of workforce development, continuing education, community education, and adult education programs and courses designed to meet the learning needs of residents, businesses, government agencies, and special populations in Prince George’s County. More than 1,100 continuing education courses, workshops, and special programs are offered each year at more than 60 locations throughout the county. To provide these learning solutions, the college partners with dynamic and knowledgeable instructors, businesses, local governments, and nonprofit community service agencies. Admission to these programs is open to individuals 16 years of age and older, unless a class is specifically designed for a specific age group or audience. Unless otherwise stated, there are no educational prerequisites for most courses.

Our courses and programs focus on a wide range of learning interests and needs:

  • Continuing Education courses and programs deliver a wide portfolio of open enrollment courses designed to meet residents’ career training needs
  • Customized Training programs offer training solutions for businesses, government, nonprofit, and community based organizations
  • Community Education programs provide courses and programs to support the diverse learning needs of targeted populations including youth, adults 60+, and children with developmental delays
  • Adult Education programs help adults develop the basic academic and life skills necessary to earn a high school diploma; speak, understand, read, and write English; enhance their participation as community and family members; and succeed in the workplace

Of the college’s total enrollment of over 37,000 students, more than 21,000 are enrolled in these learning solutions. A schedule of continuing education courses (here) is published three times each year.

Programs for Individuals

Continuing education programs and courses provide opportunities for those looking for professional or personal enrichment. Programs are designed to provide the skills needed for immediate entry to the workforce, for career advancement, or for personal enrichment.

Many continuing education courses and programs provide the training needed to obtain Maryland state licensure, including those for certified nursing assistants, child care providers, pharmacy technicians, and real estate agents, among others. Other classes prepare individuals for nationally recognized industry certifications such as CompTIA A+, Net+ and Security+, Cisco CCNA, and a variety of Microsoft certifications. Of the 16 community colleges in Maryland, Prince George’s Community College has some of the highest enrollments of students in programs leading to licensure or certification by state and national organizations.

Please call 301-546-0159, or click here, for more information on current courses and program areas.

Customized Training for Businesses | 301-546-8233

The college creates and delivers high-quality, customized training and flexible program delivery through contractual agreements with local businesses, government, community-based and nonprofit organizations. PGCC’s customized training solutions offer innovative, high-value, customer-focused workforce training tailored to meet businesses’ strategic and operational priorities. Unique and customized professional training, skill certifications, and educational degree options can be offered at one of the college’s campus locations, or at client sites (in-person, online, or via teleconferencing) to accommodate the needs of local organizations and to provide maximum impact.

Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CEDT) | 301-546-8233 | website

The CEDT, through an innovative capacity-building curriculum, prepares local entrepreneurs to take full advantage of business opportunities in Prince George’s County and the metropolitan region. The CEDT focuses on the business owner, on the specific needs and challenges associated with being a minority business enterprise, and on connecting local, small, and minority business owners to business opportunities. The CEDT’s training and development programs are comprehensive and designed to help business owners navigate the entrepreneurial landscape in the Washington metropolitan region. The center’s approach is based on a three-tiered entrepreneurial development model that integrates capacity building with business development at various stages of growth.

Community Education

Building on partnerships with community-based organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses, the college offers a wide range of courses to support the diverse learning needs of targeted populations including the unemployed, underemployed, adults 60+, youth, and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We offer courses, certifications, and programs for those seeking career transitions, job and career readiness, skills training, personal enrichment, and cultural, educational, and practical experiences designed to enhance life, build community, and celebrate learning.

Career Transition

TeamBuilders Academy | 301-546-0964 | website
Offers cohort-based occupational trade-related technical skills training, combined with job readiness and soft skills training for eligible Prince George’s County residents.

Programs for Youth

Youth | 301-546-0120 | website
Summer activities are offered for youth ages 7 to 17.

Youth @ Work | 301-546-1580 | website
The college’s Summer Youth Enrichment Program for young people offers free job-readiness training to eligible county residents ages 15-19. The training supports the development of skills such as communication, customer service, and teamwork. Eligible students receive training in one of 14 leading career fields.

Programs for Older Adults

Adults Aged 60+ (S.A.G.E. - Seasoned Adults Growing Educationally) | 301-546-0923 | website
Courses are specifically designed for adults ages 60+. Three full trimesters of fitness and enrichment courses are offered on campus and at numerous county-wide sites.

Programs for Children with Developmental Delays

Children with Developmental Disabilities | 301-546-0519 | website
The Children’s Developmental Clinic offers Saturday morning activities designed to improve motor, reading, and language skills for children ages 6 months to 12 years with developmental delays.

Adult Education

Prince George’s Community College’s Adult Education Program offers a wide range of classes to help adults develop their basic and life skills in reading, writing, math, and English. The program also offers adults and young adults two paths to earning a Maryland high school diploma: GED® preparation classes, and the National External Diploma Program.

GED® Test Preparation and Adult Basic Education | 301-546-0891 | website

The Adult Education Program offers all levels of classes, from basic reading and math to GED® test preparation. Classes are held on campus and at neighborhood locations throughout the county. Tutoring is available for individuals at the basic literacy levels.

Basic reading and math classes help adults build their literacy and basic math skills in a supportive environment. Math and Reasoning Through Language Arts classes help adults and young adults hone their academic skills. GED® preparation classes prepare qualified students to take and pass the GED® test. Individuals who successfully pass the GED® test are awarded a Maryland high school diploma by the state of Maryland. The program also offers access to Maryland’s online GED® preparation program for qualified individuals.

National External Diploma Program | 301-546-8350 | website

The Adult Education Program offers the nationally-recognized National External Diploma Program (NEDP), an alternative path for qualified adults to earn a high school diploma. The NEDP allows adults to demonstrate their academic competencies and life skills by working with an advisor to compile a portfolio that showcases their skills.

Adult Literacy Services | 301-546-8482 | website

The Adult Literacy and Tutoring Program helps individuals build the basic reading, writing, and math skills needed for success in school, at work, and in the community. The program welcomes applications from adults who are interested in volunteering as literacy tutors for adult beginning readers.

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) | 301-546-8350 | website

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESL) program offers classes for adults who are seeking to build their skills in speaking, understanding, reading, and writing English. Classes focus on the English language and cultural skills adults need to be successful in the workplace and in the community, and are held in neighborhoods throughout the county. The program also offers family literacy classes to help parents of young children build their basic skills while they learn to support their children’s academic success; Integrated Education and Training courses which combine workforce training with language skills; and bridge courses to help learners transition to high school diploma programs.

Transition ESL | 301-546-8399 | website

The Transition ESL program offers classes to help adult English language learners work on special topics such as pronunciation, fluency and conversation, intermediate and advanced reading and writing, preparation to transition to workforce training and academic programs at the college, and preparation for the U.S. Citizenship exam.

Refugee and Asylee ESL | 301-546-8399 | website

The Refugee and Asylee ESL program offers classes for individuals who have been granted refugee, asylee, or SIV status to develop their English language and U.S. cultural skills as they adjust to life and work in the United States.

Continuing Education Course Locations

Continuing Education courses are held at a number of other locations around the county, including public schools, partner sites, and senior centers.  Please see the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes here for more information.

Continuing Education Registration, Tuition, Transcripts

Registration for Continuing Education courses is available at multiple times throughout the year. Courses fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

Online Registration

Online registration is available (with the exception of Adult Education) and is the fastest way to sign up for classes. Go to www.pgcc.edu. Click on “Owl Link.” Then, click on “Workforce Development and Continuing Education Students” and then on “Enroll & Register for Courses.”

Students pay online at the time of registration, using a credit card. For cash, check, or third-party payment, the student must come to campus to register and pay. Students will be notified only if a class is canceled or changed. Students will receive a refund only if they drop the class before the first day.

Walk-in Registration

Walk-in registration takes place at the Office of Records and Registration on the Largo campus or at any of the college’s extension/degree centers. Students may register up until the start date of each class. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the main campus. Contact Extension Centers for their hours.

Adult Education Registration

Registration for Adult Education classes and the National External Diploma Program is handled through the Adult Education office. For information, please call 301-546-0891, e-mail adulteducation@pgcc.edu, or visit www.pgcc.edu/go/ged or www.pgcc.edu/go/esl.

For the National External Diploma Program, please call 301-546-8350, e-mail nedp@pgcc.edu, or visit https://www.pgcc.edu/go/ged/

Tuition and Fees

Tuition listed in the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes is for residents of Prince George’s County. Continuing education tuition for residents of other Maryland counties is an additional $5 per course; residents of other states and the District of Columbia pay an additional $10 per course. Any student who has not registered and has not paid tuition and fees will not be allowed to remain in class and will not receive licensure, certification, Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or, when applicable, a passing grade.

A non-refundable $25 registration fee will be assessed with the exception of Adult Education classes. This fee will allow students to register for one or more courses during any given term.

Senior citizens who are Maryland residents pay an $85 registration fee which entitles them to free tuition for any course marked with an asterisk(*) in the Continuing Education Schedule of Classes. They are responsible for any applicable fees.

Transcripts

Official Workforce Development and Continuing Education transcripts are available from the Office of Records and Registration, Bladen Hall, Room 126. Call 301-546-7422 for more information. Students may also request an official transcript online here.