About WDCE

The Workforce Development and Continuing Education (WDCE) area 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, and government agencies in Prince George’s County and the needs of a variety of special populations with unique learning needs. More than 1,100 WDCE courses, workshops, and special programs are offered each year at more than 60 locations throughout the county. To provide these learning solutions, WDCE partners with dynamic and knowledgeable instructors, businesses, local governments, and nonprofit community service agencies. Admission to WDCE programs is open to all students 16 years of age and older, unless a class is specifically designed for a limited age group or audience. Unless otherwise stated, there are no educational prerequisites for most courses.

WDCE courses and programs are organized into four areas, each focusing on the learning needs of a specific target population:

• The Continuing Education Program offers a wide variety of open enrollment courses designed to meet both residents’ career training needs and personal enrichment goals.
• The Center for Business and Industry Solutions and Workforce Development Institutes create, manage, and deliver a wide portfolio of training solutions for businesses, government, and nonprofit and community based organizations.
• Community Education and Partnerships programs provide courses and programs to support the diverse learning needs of targeted populations including the unemployed, underemployed, adults 60+, youth, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• The Adult Education Program helps 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 nearly 40,000 students, more than 24,000 are enrolled in these learning solutions. A schedule of continuing education courses is mailed to county households four times each year.

Continuing Education

Continuing education programs and courses provide opportunities for those looking for professional or personal enrichment. Some programs are designed to provide the skills needed for immediate entry to the workforce while other courses may be taken for career advancement. These courses meet the needs of both individuals and employers, who need a highly skilled workforce and are often looking for individuals who hold a state license or an industry-recognized credential.

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. Continuing education also offers classes that prepare individuals for nationally recognized industry certifications such as CompTIA A+, Net+ and Security+, Cisco CCNA, and a variety of Microsoft certifications. Continuing education also offers a wide variety of courses for personal enrichment. 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 see this chart for a listing of current course and program areas.

Center for Business and Industry Solutions (CBIS) and Workforce Development Institutes

CBIS creates, manages, and delivers a wide portfolio of industry-needed training solutions. In addition, CBIS’ six Workforce Development Institutes provide businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions a collaborative forum for action planning to address the county’s and region’s current business learning needs and emerging economic and workforce development trends. CBIS creates and delivers customized employee development solutions through contractual agreements with local businesses and government agencies. CBIS also helps to address the anticipated workforce needs of businesses expanding in or relocating to Prince George’s County.

Workforce Development Institutes

Guided and managed by a PGCC program director and unique industry advisory boards, the institutes advocate for resources, responsive and proactive workforce development programs, and best practices, and they assist businesses in the recruitment, development, and retention of a highly skilled workforce.

The six institutes operating at the college are:

• Construction and Energy Institute (CEI) | 301-546-0964
  CEI delivers the education students need to enter the skilled trades and energy industries with marketable, trade-specific skills.
• Computer and Information Technology Institute (CITI) | 301-546-0029
  CITI provides courses and programs designed to prepare students seeking industry-recognized certifications and skilled positions within the information technology workforce.
• Hospitality and Tourism Institute (HTI) | 301-546-7596
  HTI meets the ever-increasing demand for well-trained hospitality and tourism professionals and offers customized, specially developed, comprehensive training programs.
• Human Services Institute (HSI) | 301-546-0031
  HSI is a unique professional development, training, and education asset for the employees of human service and social service agencies. It provides proactive discussion and serves as a clearinghouse for human services issues.
• Public Safety and Security Institute (PSSI) | 301-546-0175
  PSSI offers the Municipal Police Academy, certified by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission, and training for individuals seeking careers in law enforcement and security.
• Transportation and Distribution Institute (TDI) | 301-546-0062
  TDI provides services for both individuals and businesses with in-demand, industry-specific training, certification, and licensing.

Customized Training | 301-546-0033

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 Entrepreneurial Development (CED) | 301-546-0964 | website

The CED, 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 CED 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 CED’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-tier entrepreneurial development model that integrates capacity building with business development at various stages of growth.

Community Education and Partnerships

Building on broad-based collaboration and 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 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We offer courses, certifications, and programs for those seeking career transitions, job and career readiness, skills training, and cultural, educational, and practical experiences designed to enrich lives, build community, and celebrate learning.

Career Transition

Next Step | 301-546-1580 | website
Provides eligible students with a full range of academic, career development, and employment support services.

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 and Seasoned Adult Populations

Youth | 301-546-0158
Summer activities are offered for youth ages 7 to 17.

Adults Aged 60+ (S.A.G.E.-Seasoned Adults Growing Educationally) | 301-546-0882 | website
Courses are specifically designed for adults, ages 60 or older. Three full semesters of fitness and enrichment courses are offered on campus and at numerous county-wide sites.

Programs for Special Populations

Adults with Developmental Disabilities | 301-546-0519
Choices and Pathways engages a cadre of credentialed staff who are qualified to use multidisciplinary instructional strategies and adaptive technologies for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

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.

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 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.

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 learners need to be successful in the workplace and in the community, and are held in neighborhoods throughout the county. The Family Literacy Program helps parents of young children build their basic skills while they learn to support their children’s academic success.

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 other programs and courses at the college, and preparation for the U.S. Citizenship Exam.

Extension Centers

Laurel College Center

312 Marshall Avenue | Laurel, MD 20707 | 1-866-228-6110

The Laurel College Center (LCC) is a unique joint effort between Prince George’s Community College and Howard Community College to make higher education and continuing education more accessible to the residents of Laurel and the surrounding area. Classes and programs offered at LCC include business management, computers and information technology, creative and performing arts, adult education classes, and others.

Skilled Trades Center

6400 Old Branch Avenue | Camp Springs, MD 20748 | 301-546-0894

The Skilled Trades Center is dedicated to meeting the county’s need for skilled construction tradespeople. This newly renovated facility provides much needed lab space for five critical construction trade areas including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) and building maintenance. Many program titles, formats, and options are available ranging from one-day short courses to multi-semester, long-term certification programs.

University Town Center

6505 Belcrest Road | Hyattsville, MD 20782 | 301-546-8000

Prince George’s Community College’s University Town Center location in Hyattsville offers a number of continuing education classes and programs, including certified nursing assistant training, business and management courses, and fitness and health courses. UTC also houses the Adult Education Program’s English for Speakers of other Languages (ESL) program, the National External Diploma Program, and the Transition ESL program.

Westphalia Training Center

9109 Westphalia Road | Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 | 301-546-0964

Prince George’s Community College’s Westphalia Training Center in Upper Marlboro provides students with a laboratory setting within each classroom, enabling hands-on training in critical construction trade areas including residential, industrial and commercial construction, building maintenance engineering, carpentry, masonry, electricity and residential wiring, HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration), locksmithing, plumbing, stationary engineering, and welding.

CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES AND PROGRAMS | 301-546-0159 | website

Registration, Tuition, Transcripts

With the exception of Adult Education, registration for Workforce Development and Continuing Education courses is continuous. Courses fill on a first-come, first-served basis.

Online Registration

Online registration is available to all students (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.”

Please note that students must 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 Admissions and Records 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 301-546-7509 (evenings) 301-546-8350, e-mail nedp@pgcc.edu, or visit www.pgcc.edu/go/nedp.

Tuition and Fees

Noncredit tuition listed in the schedule is for residents of Prince George’s County. Noncredit 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, or Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or, when applicable, a passing grade.

A non-refundable $20 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 a $75 registration fee which entitles them to free tuition for any course marked with an asterisk(*) in the Continuing Education Class Schedule.  They are responsible for any applicable lab fees/online fees, etc.

Transcripts

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