Admission to College

Office of Recruitment and Admissions

Bladen Hall, Rooms 125 | 301-546-0864 | apply@pgcc.edu
https://www.pgcc.edu/admissions-registration/

The first step toward enrollment for credit classes at Prince George’s Community College is to complete and submit an Application for Admission with a non-refundable $25 application fee.

Students planning to enroll in Workforce Development and Continuing Education classes should refer to the procedures found for students in About Continuing Education Courses and Programs .

Eligibility for Admission

It is the policy of the Board of Trustees of Prince George’s Community College that admission to the college (though not necessarily to a specific program or course) shall be open to:

• All high school graduates
• Holders of high school equivalency certificates or equivalency diplomas
• Completers of Maryland state-approved home school programs
• Persons 18 years of age or older who have permanently left elementary or secondary school according to the policies set forth by the Prince George’s County Board of Education
• Other high school junior and senior students who meet criteria for concurrent or dual enrollment, as established by the college in coordination with the Prince George’s County Board of Education
• Other home school students who can document current participation in a Maryland state-approved home school program and also meet the criteria for concurrent enrollment
• Students identified as Talented and Gifted in accordance with state law and college procedure. Such applicants are not guaranteed admission and must contact the director of Recruitment and Admissions to review the special admission criteria and documentation required prior to enrollment.

Students not participating in an Early College Access program must be at least 16 years of age to enroll in credit courses. Students under the age of 18 who claim completion of high school must provide proof of graduation from an accredited U.S. high school. In the case of graduation from an online high school program, applicants must supply both proof of graduation and proof of accreditation of the program attended.

All applicants must complete an Application for Admission. The college prefers that this be done online by going to the college’s website, www.pgcc.edu and following the link for Admission & Registration. Printed applications also may be submitted at any of the college’s locations in the county. The forms are available at all of these locations.

After the application has been submitted the next steps vary depending on the student’s previous academic background. The various procedures follow. Note: Students who need an F-1 “student” visa must complete a separate application from other students. This application is also available online or in person, along with a list of all other documents required before the required Form I-20 can be issued

All Prospective Students Must Complete the Following Steps:

1. Submit an Application for Admission either online at www.pgcc.edu or in person at the following College sites - Largo, Joint Base Andrews, Laurel College Center, University Town Center. Note: Those requesting a student visa may apply online or at the Largo campus, Office of Recruitment and Admissions. Applications must be submitted directly by the student.
2. Pay a non-refundable $25 application fee. Applicants requesting a fee waiver must apply in person, and must submit documentation of eligibility for the waiver along with the application. It will not be awarded retroactively.
3. Upon receipt of an e-mail from the College regarding Owl Link, the College’s web-based student system, sign in to Owl Link and become familiar with the services accessible through this system. The e-mail will contain full instructions.
4. Upon receipt of a second e-mail from the College regarding Owl Mail, the secure student e-mail system, follow the instructions given to activate the assigned Owl Mail account. Students are required to use this account for all interaction with the College once they have enrolled.
5. New students are assigned a Navigate account within 24 hours of applying to the College. Navigate is an online and mobile advisement tool. Navigate also allows students to stay in touch with their academic advisor and schedule appointments with PGCC offices and services.  Students can download the Navigate App by searching “Navigate Student” in their app store.

New Students: First Time to Any College

In addition to the steps required of all students, first-time college students must do the following:

1. Submit a final official high school transcript or GED (General Education Diploma) that documents completion of high school or the equivalent.
2. Complete the online New Student Orientation required of all first-year students.
3. Take the college’s placement tests. In some cases, SAT or ACT scores, recent high school GPA, or minimum GED scores may be used to waive these tests.

Readmitted Students: Returning After Two or More Years

Students who have not attended the college for two or more years must complete the Application for Admission. Readmitted students are encouraged to meet with an advisor to determine how the program of interest to them may have changed since their last enrollment. They are expected to follow the curriculum requirements in the catalog in effect at the time of readmission.

Transfer Students: Those Coming After Prior Attendance at Another College

Students who have earned credit at another college may be able to use that credit toward a degree or certificate at Prince George’s Community College regardless of the age of the courses taken, with the exception of science courses in the Nursing Program, which must be taken within 10 years of petitioning. Students also may earn transfer credit from nontraditional sources, such as military (Joint Services), job training (such as American Council on Education – ACE), or examination (such as Advanced Placement -AP or College-Level Examination Program – CLEP). See the section titled “Advanced Standing – Credit for Prior Learning” later in this chapter for more complete information. In addition to the steps required of all applicants listed above, transfer students should also do the following:

1. Complete and submit a Request for Transfer Evaluation form.
2. Contact all previous institutions to have official copies of transcripts sent directly to the Office of Records and Registration for evaluation. This includes official records of other credit sources such as examinations or military experience as well as previous colleges. Documents reaching the College 6 weeks or more prior to the start of the semester will receive processing priority. Official transcripts may be emailed directly from the issuing institution to transfercredit@pgcc.edu. Students should provide unofficial copies of transcripts or grade reports to the academic advisor assisting with the first semester’s registration if an official evaluation has not yet been completed.
3. All degree-seeking students will be required to participate in the New Student Orientation and may be required to take all or part of the placement tests prior to registration.
4. Transcripts from non-United States colleges must be evaluated by an external evaluation service recognized by the College. See “International Transcript Evaluation” later in this chapter.

Students with Prior Degrees

Transfer students who wish to take classes at the college but who have already earned an associate degree or higher from an accredited United States college or university are exempt from all placement tests. They also are free to enroll in a wide variety of courses without presenting proof of completion of course prerequisites. Students who enroll in a course or courses on the basis of their prior degree assume full responsibility for possession of the background skills and knowledge required for success in the course. Use of this prerequisite exemption may not be used later as grounds for an exceptional refund or as the basis for challenging a grade. The college reserves the right to limit the number of courses for which students may enroll using this exemption. Otherwise, students with prior degrees must follow the same steps as other transfer students.

International Students

Permanent Residents and International Students (non-F-1 Visa holders)

While more than 10 percent of the college’s students are non-citizens, most of them are already living in the community and would be asked to follow the procedures for new or transfer students. The only additional step is the requirement to present a valid visa, passport, permanent resident card, or any other official immigration status information before initial registration so that residency may be determined. Those who fail to do so will be admitted and classified as out-of-state residents for tuition purposes until submission and clearance of supporting documentation. If the applicant’s native language is not English, he or she must also take the placement test for non-native speakers of English and follow any English as a Second Language (ESL) course recommendations which result. Otherwise, applicants should follow the procedures in place for other first-time students or transfer applicants

Students Requesting an F-1 Student Visa

Applicants requesting international admission and the Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility) for an F-1 student visa with the federal government must complete the international application and satisfy additional requirements before admission is offered. Supporting documentation includes academic records, evidence of English proficiency, and sponsorship. The submission deadlines for are May 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. F-1 visa holders who are attending an institution in the U.S. are given an additional month to apply. The College reserves the right to deny the application for any applicant in the College’s judgment who fails to meet the academic, English language, financial, or housing requirements and supply the requested documents in a timely manner.

International (F-1) Admission Procedures

1.  
2. Apply for admission as a degree-seeking student using the International Application. The online application may be found on the College’s website, www.pgcc.edu, or via email upon request to internationalgroup@pgcc.edu. The non-refundable $25 application fee and the $25 non-refundable processing fee are required. Only applications that are signed and submitted by the applicant will be honored. The College will not accept applications from a third party, such as sponsors or relatives. All parties may submit supplemental items.
    
3. Provide supporting documentation for consideration. If applicable, request to have all documents translated (in English) by a certified agency.
    
4. Applicants who have earned college credit from outside of the United States must arrange to have their official transcripts sent to an evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) for translation and credit recommendations. The College recommends that students use the World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny & Associates evaluation agencies, but urges students to consider the transcript evaluation requirements of their desired four-year institution if they wish to transfer in the future when choosing an evaluation agency. An official copy of the original transcript is required in order to award transfer credit. Contact transfercredit@pgcc.edu for more information.
    
5. If applicable, achieve a minimum score of 133 or better on the computer-based TOEFL, 46 or better on the internet-based exam, or 5.5 on the essentials version. Applicants admitted on the basis of TOEFL scores are required to take a college-required examination for course placement prior to registration unless they achieve a score of 213 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL, a score of 99 or higher on the internet-based exam, or 10.5 on the essentials version.
    
6.  F-1 students admitted to Prince George’s Community College will receive an acceptance letter, the Form I-20, and a Confirmation Checklist that outlines expectations and a request for the student’s signature. These documents will indicate the date by which the student must report to the U.S. Port of Entry and to the college. Students who arrive after the deadline may be denied for this reason and any others warranted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
    
7. After international admission has been offered and official evidence of F-1 immigration status has been provided for enrollment, please contact the Designated School Official (DSO) for any assistance and to share updated information throughout the duration of studies. Students who fail to comply with federal regulations will be terminated and reported to the Student Exchange Visitors Program/Information System (SEVP/SEVIS) and in turn, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and agencies that are affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

F-1 students who prefer to have funds sent directly to the College for payment of tuition and fees are limited to a per-semester amount of $4,300. Checks that exceed this amount will not be accepted. If applicable, the student or payee will receive a disbursement in accordance with the refund timelines in effect for the term in question.  F-1 students are considered non-Maryland residents and will receive the out of state tuition rate, regardless of the local address in the U.S. while attending the College. By accepting the Form I-20, students agree to all terms associated with the F-1 program, including maintaining full-time status during their studies in the United States. F-1 students are advised of opportunities and benefits such as information to obtain a social security number, learner’s permit/driver’s license with the respectable agencies, in addition to working and training, if requirements for employment are met.   

Undocumented Students

Undocumented students are welcome to attend the College. Students should follow the admission procedures above for all first-time or transfer students. An individual’s immigration status may not preclude award of Maryland residency under this policy if the individual has the legal capacity to establish domicile in Maryland. Contact the Office of Records and Registration for additional information.  

For more information, visit: https://www.pgcc.edu/admissions–registration/records–registration/residency-information/

Current High School/Home School Students

Students who are still in high school or involved in a state-recognized home school program may be eligible to take college courses as follows:

High School Dual Enrollment

In accord with the College and Career Readiness and College Completion Act of 2013, the college’s Dual Enrollment Program is for high school juniors and seniors who test college ready in mathematics, reading, and or/English and wish to take courses from the college while still actively enrolled in a Prince George’s County public high school. The program is administered through a partnership between the college and the Prince George’s County Public School System. Admission to this program requires permission of the high school principal or counselor since, in many cases, the courses taken at the college will also be used to satisfy high school graduation requirements. Prospective dual enrollment students must meet with their high school counselor to get additional information about this option and begin the admission process for this program

High School Concurrent Enrollment

The Concurrent Enrollment Program is designed for high school seniors or juniors who wish to take courses from the college while still enrolled in any private school, a non-Prince George’s County public high school, or in an approved home school program. Students must be high school juniors or seniors. In addition, each student must:

• Have a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or the equivalent;
• Be certified by the school principal or equivalent authority as approved for participation;
• Identify themselves as concurrent enrollment students under “Program of Study” on the college application;
• Take relevant college placement tests, achieving college-level placement scores, prior to registration; and
• Abide by all college policies, procedures, and regulations while on campus or in the classroom.

Students who wish to attend the college full time in place of their senior year of high school or home study should contact their principal or comparable home study coordinator during the 10th grade to learn more about this early admission option.

Academy of Health Sciences @ Prince George’s Community College

In 2011, Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) and the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) partnered to open the Academy of Health Sciences @ PGCC, the first middle college high school in Maryland. The Academy of Health Sciences (AHS) is a public high school located on PGCC’s Largo campus and enrolls just over 400 students, approximately 100 students in each grade 9-12. The AHS prepares students for careers in the health sciences through a rigorous dual enrollment curriculum with wraparound support services. Students have the opportunity to graduate at the end of four years with a high school diploma and an associate degree in general studies with an emphasis in health sciences.

To be considered for admission to the AHS, rising 9th grade PGCPS students must take an entrance exam that will be administered at their schools. For more information, visit www1.pgcps.org/academyatpgcc.

Information Technology Early College Program

In fall 2014, with grant support from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and Maryland four-year colleges, businesses, and county government partners, PGCC began the Information Technology Early College (ITEC) Program. The ITEC Program is comprised of students who attend and are located at the Chesapeake Math and Information Technology (C-M-I-T) Academy, which are public charter schools in Laurel and Upper Marlboro. The ITEC Program is designed to enroll students in grades 9-12. The current ITEC dual enrollment curriculum follows a track of the PGCC Information Technology A.A.S. in which students take courses that result in multiple industry certifications. Students have the opportunity to graduate at the end of four years with a high school diploma and an associate degree in Information Technology.

To be considered for admission to the ITEC Program, rising 9th grade CMIT students must demonstrate academic readiness based upon Accuplacer placement exam scores. For more information, visit cmitacademy.org and cmitsouth.org

Underage Students - Talented and Gifted Program

The Talented and Gifted program (TAG) is for students under 16 years of age who do not yet have a high school diploma or GED and who cannot meet the grade-level or age requirements for dual or concurrent enrollment. Such students must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Identification by the student’s public school Board of Education or private school governing board as talented and gifted according to their published criteria. Completion of at least the seventh grade and a standardized test score of 1200 on the SAT (with no less than 500 in either the verbal or math portion) or 22 on the ACT. Designation as a PSAT/NMSQT finalist or semifinalist also will suffice.
• Admission to a recognized TAG program in the state of Maryland or identification by local professionally qualified individuals or entities as having outstanding abilities in a particular field that would qualify them for advanced study in that area. The college reserves the right to determine whether or not it will recognize a program or professional entity as meeting this criterion prior to accepting the recommendation.
• Students who are home schooled may, in lieu of the first two criteria listed, be assessed by a psychometrist or other professional qualified to administer and interpret the results of one of the following tests: Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills, Test of Cognitive Skills, or WISC-III. The student must score in the 95th percentile or higher by age.

In addition to the preceding, any student who wishes to enroll under this program must:

• Take the college’s placement test battery and achieve scores indicative of readiness for college-level work in all three areas - Reading, English, and Mathematics.
• Attend an interview with the registrar to review program requirements. One or both parents/guardians also must be present. In no instance can this interview be held in the absence of the student.
• Enroll in no more than two daytime courses per semester with continuance dependent upon satisfactory performance in all previous semesters.

For necessary forms and more information on this special admission program, contact the Office of Recruitment and Admissions, 301-546-7422.

Student Identification Numbers

Every student who applies for admission to the College will be immediately issued a unique, randomly selected student ID number.. Students must use this ID number in order to use College services and to request and obtain documents such as transcripts or enrollment verifications.

Current students and new students who applied in person will receive their ID numbers at the time of application. Students applying online will see their ID numbers within an e-mail sent by the College within two working days after the application is submitted. This e-mail also will give instructions on activation of the student’s Prince George’s Community College Owl Link account.

It is the student’s responsibility to protect their unique number from use by other individuals. The College takes every precaution to protect students’ identities from unauthorized access but will assume no responsibility for security violations which occur as a result of the student sharing his or her ID number with another individual.

Placement Testing

The Testing Center | Bladen Hall, Room 100 | 301-546-0147

To ensure a foundation for college-level instruction, students seeking enrollment in credit courses for the first time will be required to demonstrate proficiency in reading, written expression, and mathematics, through completion of developmental coursework or placement testing. 

Placement testing for new students must be completed after the admissions application is submitted, but before course registration. They are administered at Prince George’s Community College at Joint Base Andrews, Laurel College Center, University Town Center, and the Largo campus. Following the test, students must arrange to meet with academic advisors to discuss examination results, course placements, and future educational plans. 

Students whose native language is not English will be asked to take an appropriate ESL test designed to measure their level of English proficiency, before their first registration. In cases where a student’s basic academic skills as measured by the placement test do not meet the minimum standards established by the instructional departments, successful completion of developmental courses is mandatory before enrollment in credit courses.

The college also has alternative placement measures to demonstrate proficiency, which can exempt students from all or part of the placement test and developmental courses.

• Students with high SAT or ACT scores may have all or part of the placement tests waived. The minimum scores for waivers are on the testing center website. Please send official SAT or ACT score reports to the Testing Center, so that scores can be posted to the student’s record. The college can only accept standardized test scores up to 2 years old. Please do not submit scores from tests taken more than 2 years ago.
• Students who graduated from a high school in the USA within the last five (5) years, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, are also exempt from all developmental courses and most placement testing. However, upper-level math classes may require either math placement test scores or successful completion of course prerequisites for enrollment.
• Students who hold degrees from other United States colleges or universities are exempt from all placement testing requirements, but must satisfy course prerequisites for higher level courses.
• Students transferring from other institutions may be exempt from all or part of the placement tests. Students must request an official evaluation of previous college work from the Office of Records and Registration prior to registration, and the evaluation results will determine a student’s exemptions. 

For more information, please visit the Testing Center page: https://www.pgcc.edu/student-life-support-services/support-services/testing-center/

Advanced Standing - Credit for Prior Learning

Students may be awarded credit for prior educational experiences in which college-level learning may be verified through documentation or assessment. A maximum of 45 credit hours may be transferred for any one associate degree, of which not more than 30 credits may have been earned through nontraditional or noncollegiate sources. A student may not use a credit-through-examination procedure, which includes challenge or competency examinations (such as Advanced Placement, College-Level Examination Program, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge Assessment) and portfolio assessment for the purpose of improving a grade or removing a withdrawal or incomplete from the academic record. A 15-credit limit per degree exists for any combination of portfolio or challenge exams

Transfer Credit for Work at Other Colleges and Universities

Students who enroll at Prince George’s Community College after completing one or more semesters at another college or university may be eligible to receive credit toward their community college degree or certificate without regard to the age of the prior credits. Students in the nursing program are subject to certain limitations with regard to the age of prior credits, as outlined below. The following guidelines apply:

• Credit must be earned at a college or university that is accredited or holds a Candidate for Accreditation Status from an agency recognized by the United States Secretary of Education.
   
• The student must request an evaluation by completing a Request for Transfer Evaluation form. This form may also be completed and submitted in Owl Link. The student must clearly indicate the curriculum to which the incoming credits are to be applied and all institutions from which transcripts will be coming.
   
• The student must arrange to have official transcripts from all U.S. colleges previously attended sent to the Office of Records and Registration. No evaluation of transfer credits will be done until official transcripts are received from each source from which credits are to be transferred. Transcripts should be sent electronically directly from the institution to transfercredit@pgcc.edu or mailed to Prince George’s Community College, Transfer Evaluator, 301 Largo Road, Largo, MD 20774.
   
• Credit is transferrable if a passing grade is earned (and all other credit eligibility criteria are met) and it may be assessed for applicability to the student’s program of study as per catalog requirements. However, the overall grade point average for the courses transferred must be at least 2.00. Note: No grade below a C will transfer from any out-of-state institution when the student’s cumulative GPA at that institution was below a 2.00.
   
• Students petitioning for admission to one of Prince George’s Community College’s nursing programs are required to have completed all prerequisite science courses no more than 10 years prior to petitioning.
   
• Courses that are ineligible for transfer credit at Prince George’s Community College include, but are not limited to, developmental courses, ESL courses, English composition courses taken at a non-U.S. institution, and allied health and nursing courses. These courses are not subject to an appeal process.
   
• The Request for Transfer Evaluation form along with all transcripts and any other non-traditional sources of possible transfer credit should be received four weeks prior to the start of the semester in which the student wishes to complete their coursework.

Prince George’s Community College will honor waivers of required courses by the sending institution due to the student’s demonstrated proficiency, but an equal number of credits must be earned in other coursework in order to meet the published credit hour requirement for graduation in the student’s chosen program.

International Transcript Evaluation

In addition to following the policies and processes noted above, students with credit from outside of the United States must arrange to have their official transcripts sent to an evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) for translation and credit recommendations. The College recommends that students use the World Education Services (WES) or Josef Silny & Associates evaluation agencies, but urges students to consider the transcript evaluation requirements of their desired four-year institution if they wish to transfer in the future when choosing an evaluation agency. An official copy of the original transcript is required in order to award transfer credit. If it is not included with the transcript evaluation, it must be sent separately. Once all official transcripts and the Request for Transfer Credit Evaluation form have been received, the evaluation process will begin. Please contact transfercredit@pgcc.edu for more information.

Transfer Evaluation Process

The Office of Records and Registration maintains a public database of commonly awarded course articulations on the PGCC website. Transfer evaluators collaborate with faculty and use catalogs from other colleges, a state-wide shared list of equivalencies, recommendations from entities such as The American Council on Education and the Joint Services transcript. In cases where no equivalency can be determined, course syllabi may be requested for additional review.Students can expect to receive a transfer equivalency report within twenty days of receipt of all official transcripts, the Request for Transfer Evaluation form, and all requested supplemental material (such as syllabi). When evaluating course equivalencies, the College considers the course content, course learning outcomes, institution accreditation, and other standards.

International transcripts are evaluated in accordance with the recommendations made by agencies that are members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Accepted credit for transfer is notated at the top of the student’s transcript. Credit is listed by issuing organization, agency, or examination and includes the PGCC equated subject, course number, title, number of credits awarded, and whether the course meets a general education requirement.

In the event that credit for a course from a Maryland public institution is denied, PGCC will collaborate with the sending institution to review the course and complete further analysis. The student does not need to take further action. After the analysis is conducted, the student will receive either an updated Transfer Equivalency Report or a notification that no changes were made to the initial review. This decision is considered to be final. When there is a denial of credit from a Maryland public institution, the entire process may take up to 80 business days (from the date that all materials outlined above are received).

Students who believe that a course has been unfairly evaluated by Prince George’s Community College may follow these steps to appeal:

1. Contact the Transfer Credit Evaluator for an explanation of the decision by emailing transfercredit@pgcc.edu.
    
2. If the student is not satisfied with the explanation, they may contact the department responsible for the course’s subject area and provide a course syllabus for a second evaluation.
    
3. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the department, submit a formal request in writing to the Transfer Credit Evaluator that contains the following: name, student ID number, an explanation of the steps taken already to appeal the previous decisions and why the student feels that credit should be awarded, course syllabus, and any other applicable supporting documentation. Upon receipt, the Transfer Credit Evaluator will send the request to the appropriate dean and, if necessary, the Executive Vice President and Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, or their designee. The decision of the Executive Vice President and Provost for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success, or their designee, is final.

Credit for Nontraditional Learning

Work and Military Experience

A maximum of 30 college credits may be awarded for various educational and training activities conducted by such noncollegiate organizations as the military, businesses, and government agencies. The College considers the credit recommendations of the American Council on Education (ACE), and requires an ACE evaluation for all noncollegiate and nonmilitary credit documented on the Joint Services Transcript, but the final determination of the transferability of credit rests with the College. 

Credit for Military Training

To receive credit for military training, students must complete the Request for Transfer Evaluation form, and send an official Joint Services Transcript to the Office of Records and Registration. Note: Students receiving veterans’ educational benefits are required by the Department of Veterans Affairs to do this before the end of their second semester of attendance to avoid interruption of benefit payments.

Prior Learning Assessment Network (PLAN)

Students whose personal and professional experiences provide evidence of mastery of college-level subjects may find portfolio assessment an appropriate method of gaining credit for their knowledge and skills. Students who wish to apply for credit through portfolio may begin the process by speaking with the PLAN coordinator. A 15-credit limit per degree exists for portfolio or challenge exams. Since writing skills are critical in this process, students must test as eligible for EGL-1010 or have completed at least the equivalent college-level writing course.

For further assistance, contact the Prior Learning Assessment Network (PLAN) Office, Bladen Hall, Room 124, or call 301-546-0151.

Credit Through Examination

AP, IB, and CLEP Examinations

Students may earn nontraditional credit through the Advanced Placement (AP), College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge Assessment programs. Students who wish to have their AP, CLEP, IB, or Cambridge results evaluated for transfer credit should have official score reports sent directly to the College’s Office of Records and Registration and complete the Request for Transfer Credit Evaluation form. 

Refer to the following chart for minimum score requirements:

Students are encouraged to visit the PGCC website for an updated listing of examinations and their equivalencies at the College.

Challenge Examinations

Students who wish to earn college credit by demonstrating their prior mastery of the content of certain courses may participate in the College’s Challenge Examination Program. Challenge examinations are administered at the discretion of each academic department, and are generally limited to introductory courses. They are prepared and graded by college faculty members and proctored by the Testing Center. If a passing score is obtained, credit is granted for the course; but no grade is assigned and the credit awarded is designated on the student’s transcript as having been earned by examination. A 15-credit limit per degree exists for portfolio and challenge exams.

For further information, including a list of available examinations, contact The Testing Center by emailing: testingcenter@pgcc.edu

Prince George’s County Career and Technical Education

Prince George’s Community College, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce, and Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation participate in a consortium designed to ensure that high school students acquire more rigorous academic and technical competencies. A coordinated sequence of courses prepares students for lifelong learning and provides a choice of career options including employment, advanced study at Prince George’s Community College, and transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Students who have completed an approved Tech-Prep program in high school may be eligible for credit at the College, provided they enroll within two years of graduation and enter a program directly related to the high school program.

Special Admission Criteria

Health Sciences Programs

Admission to the college does not guarantee admission into any of the health science clinical programs. The programs listed below have limited enrollment capacity and rigorous academic standards. Each requires additional procedures for selective admission, initial enrollment, and continuation in the program. Therefore, there is a special process, called petitioning, associated with admission into each program. Interested students must contact an advisor to discuss the petitioning process and the minimum requirements in place for each clinical program.

• Health Information Management†
• Health Navigator
• Medical Assisting
• Medical Coder/Billing Specialist Certificate†
• Nuclear Medicine Technology†
• Nursing (LPN) †
• Nursing (RN) †
• Nursing LPN to RN Transition †
• Paramedic*†
• Paramedic to RN Transition
• Radiography†
• Respiratory Therapy†
• Surgical Technology

* Employees of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department will receive priority admission.
† Designated as either Health Manpower Shortage or Statewide Instructional Programs.
Out-of-county Maryland residents should review the information about these programs in Tuition and Fees .

Priority will be given to admission of Prince George’s County residents when possible. However, in programs designated as Statewide Instructional Programs, 10 percent of the available seats will be reserved for residents of other Maryland counties until the petitioning deadline published in this catalog has passed. Remaining seats will then be made available without regard to county of residence. Per the articulation agreement with the College of Southern Maryland (CSM), the Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, and Respiratory Therapy programs reserve 25 percent of their seats for transfer students from CSM until the petitioning deadline published in the college catalog has passed. At that time, any remaining seats become available to the best qualified petitioners still in the pool, regardless of Maryland county of residence.

Out-of-state residents will be accepted only if remaining seats exist after all qualified Maryland residents have been admitted. Students attending the college on a non-domiciliary visa, as determined by the college, will not be considered for admission to any of these programs. Students petitioning to these programs must submit a copy of their social security card as part of their petition.

Students interested in petitioning for admission to any of these programs must first meet with a Health Science Career Advisor to obtain a list of admission criteria and prerequisite coursework. The petition for program admission should not be completed until all criteria have been met. Students currently enrolled in one health science clinical program may not petition for admission to another clinical program. Students who wish to enroll in a different clinical program must officially graduate or withdraw from the current program before filing a petition for a new clinical program. Advisors’ offices are located in the Center for Health Studies, Suite 1400. Call 301-546-0731 or email healthscienceadvisor@pgcc.edu for more information.

A criminal background check and drug screen are required of all students in the health science clinical programs. Social security numbers will be verified as part of the background check. Continued participation in each program is contingent upon a satisfactory response on the background check and drug screen. All information on the background check and drug screen remains confidential. If a clinical agency denies clinical placement for a student because of the background check or drug screen, that student may not be able to complete the clinical program. The cost of the criminal background check and drug screen is the responsibility of the student. Specific information related to the process used for obtaining a criminal background check and drug screen will be discussed with students at orientation. For a current price of the criminal background check and drug screen, please contact AlliedHealthandNursingOffice@pgcc.edu. Students, at their own expense, may also be required to submit to random urine drug testing at clinical sites. Results of random urine drug testing may result in the student not being able to complete the clinical program.

All students in health science clinical programs are required to submit a completed health assessment form, verifying general health, immunization status, and ability to meet the program’s technical standards. Students with incomplete health records on file with the college will not be able to complete the clinical program. It is required that all health science clinical students carry health insurance. Each student must provide documentation of current health insurance coverage prior to the first day of classes. It is the responsibility of the student to maintain health insurance coverage while enrolled in the program. Before being assigned to a clinical agency, students may be required to show the agency proof of current health insurance. It will be the clinical agency, not the college, that will make any final determination about clinical placement. If a clinical agency denies clinical placement for a student because of lack of health insurance or an incomplete health record, that student may not be able to complete the clinical program.

Students should be aware that the courses and grades indicated in the Nursing and Allied Health Prerequisite Courses section below are the minimum standard to be met for program consideration. Students applying for admission to certain Nursing and Allied Health Programs are required to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS). If there are more petitioners than seats in a class, then students will be admitted by a ranking system.

For details regarding entry to these Special Admissions Health Science Clinical Programs, contact a Health Science Career Advisor, 301-546-0731 or healthscienceadvisor@pgcc.edu. Advisors’ offices are located in the Center for Health Studies, Suite 1400.

Associate Degree Progression Policy Addendum for Graduates of the Prince George’s Community College Practical Nursing Program

Graduates of the Prince George’s Community College Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate program who have an active, unencumbered Maryland LPN license and have successfully completed the required prerequisite courses for the associate degree in nursing (including BIO-2010  and MAT-1250  or higher) with a grade of C or higher and practice as an LPN for at least 6 months may return for direct admission into the second year of the nursing program without taking the LPN-RN transition course (NUR-1060 ). To be eligible, LPN graduates must have completed the certificate program within the five-year period prior to taking the first course in the second year of the RN program. Those LPN graduates who finished the program more than five years before beginning the RN courses must successfully complete NUR-1060  in order to be admitted to the second year.

PGCC LPN graduates wishing to return to the RN Program must make an appointment to see the chair of the Nursing Department. PGCC LPN graduates are not required to petition to the RN Program. LPNs must provide receipt of a Maryland LPN license prior to registration into the third semester of the RN Program. Successful LPN graduates will be admitted into the third semester of the associate degree program (RN) based on seat availability.

Nursing and Allied Health Prerequisite Courses

Each health science clinical program requires that students complete certain prerequisite courses, listed below, with grades of C or higher; maintain a specified GPA; and meet program-specific requirements prior to petitioning for admission to that program. In some cases, students may petition while currently enrolled in their final prerequisite courses. Students may repeat a prerequisite course only once to achieve the required grade. Third attempts in any qualifying prerequisite course deems a petitioner ineligible for admission to the allied health or nursing program. A grade of W has no impact on the student’s GPA but does count as one attempt at the course. Please note that the criteria listed below are the minimum requirements for consideration. There is no guarantee of admission to any of these programs based solely upon meeting the minimum standard.

There are changes to the petitioning process for the Nursing Programs effective for spring 2020 admissions.  For additional information please contact healthscienceadvisor@pgcc.edu.

Health Information Management (A.A.S.) and Medical Coder/Billing Specialist (Certificate)

• Rolling admission - please consult Health Information Management program director.
• EGL-1010 , INT-1010 , and BIO-2050  
• Eligibility for MAT-1140   (A.A.S.)
• Eligibility for MAT-0092  (Certificate)
• An average GPA of 2.00 or higher for the four courses listed with no grade below a C

Health Navigator (A.A.S.)

• Rolling admission - please consult Health Navigator program director.
• Eligibility for EGL-1010  and MAT-1250  or higher is required.

Medical Assisting (A.A.S. and Certificate)

• Rolling admission - please consult Medical Assisting program director.
• Eligibility for EGL-1010  and MAT-1130  or higher is required

Nuclear Medicine Technology (A.A.S.)

• This program begins only in the fall semester. Deadline for petitioning is April 1.
• BIO-2050 , BIO-2060 , INT-1010, MAT-1250  or higher, CHM-1010 , and EGL-1010 .
• An average GPA of 2.50 or higher for the six courses listed with no grade below a C.
• ATI TEAS required at time of petition with a minimum preparedness category score of “proficient.”

Nursing, RN (A.S.) and Nursing, LPN (Certificate)

• Deadline for petitioning for LPN is February 1 only.
• Deadline for petitioning for RN is February 1 for fall; August 1 for spring.
• EGL-1010 , PSY-1010 , BIO-2050 , and BIO-2060  
• RN only: NUR-1010  and MAT-1250  or higher
• LPN only: NUR-1000  and eligibility for MAT-1250  or higher
• An average GPA of 2.50 or higher for all courses listed with no grade below a C
• All science courses must be within 10 years of petitioning
• ATI TEAS required at time of petition with a minimum preparedness category score of “proficient”“, and a minimum adjusted individual reading score of 70%.

Nursing Transition - LPN to RN (A.S.) and Paramedic to RN (A.S.)

• Deadline for petitioning LPN to RN is February 1 for fall; August 1 for spring.
• EGL-1010 , MAT-1250   or higher, PSY-1010 , BIO-2050 , BIO-2060 , and BIO-2010  
• Students are strongly encouraged to complete all other general education courses prior to enrollment in the transition course, NUR-1060  (LPN to RN) or NUR-1070  (EMT to RN).
• An average GPA of 2.50 or higher for the six courses listed with no grade below a C
• ATI TEAS required at time of petition with a minimum preparedness category score of “proficient”
• ”, and a minimum adjusted individual reading score of 70%.

LPN to RN also requires:

• Deadline for petitioning is February 1 for fall and August 1 for spring.
• Current Maryland LPN License (or Compact License from another state); see here for special requirements for graduates of the Prince George’s Community College LPN program

Paramedic to RN also requires:

• Meeting with the Nursing Department chair by February 1 for summer.
• Current state license as a paramedic with three years employment and an NRP with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT)
• Must be a graduate from a paramedic program

Paramedic (A.A.S. and Certificate)

• This program begins only in the summer semester. Deadline for petitioning is March 1 for summer.
• BIO-2050  and BIO-2060  
• An average GPA of 2.00 or higher for the two courses listed with no grade below a C
• Eligibility for EGL-1010  and MAT-1250  
• Current valid EMT license and a minimum of one year experience as an EMT
• Minimum age of 18; must be a U.S. citizen
• ATI TEAS required at time of petition with a minimum preparedness category score of “proficient”

Radiography (A.A.S.)

• This program begins only in the fall semester. Deadline for petitioning is April 1.
• EGL-1010 , BIO-2050 , BIO-2060 , and MAT-1250  or higher
• An average GPA of 2.50 or higher for the four courses listed with no grade below a C
• ATI TEAS required at time of petition with a minimum preparedness category score of “proficient”

Respiratory Therapy (A.A.S.)

• This program begins only in the fall semester. Deadline for petitioning is April 1.
• MAT-1250  or higher,  EGL-1010 , BIO-2050 , BIO-2060 , and CHM-1010  
• An average GPA of 2.50 or higher for the five courses listed with no grade below a C
• ATI TEAS required at time of petition with a minimum preparedness category score of “proficient,” and a minimum adjusted individual reading score of 60%.

Surgical Technology (A.A.S.)

• Rolling admission - please consult Surgical Technology program director.
• Eligibility for EGL-1010  and MAT-1250  or higher is required