Aligning with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, this dual enrollment program is for rising juniors and seniors at Charles County Public Schools high schools.
The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is proud to partner with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) to bring CCPS high school students and their families the CSM Early College Program. The program for the 2024-2025 academic year is open to rising juniors and seniors, this tuition-free program is an opportunity to experience being a full-time college student, save money, and complete college credits while still in high school.
Hear From Our Students
Seniors completing the General StudiesTransfer Certificate (25 credits) take college classes on CSM's La Plata Campus, while simultaneously fulfilling their high school graduation requirements.
Juniors have several options: Business Administration, AS; Medical Coding Certificate; Pharmacy Technician Certificate. Business Administration courses will be held on the La Plata Campus. Health sciences and trades courses will take place on both the La Plata Campus and the Regional Hughesville Campus.
Program Benefits
Save Thousands on College of Southern Maryland CCPS covers tuition and course materials, saving each student and their family over $4,500 - $10,000 in tuition.
Students will take college classes full-time at CSM and will experience the pace and rigor of college-level coursework.
Students will have access to CSM's top-notch support services, including dedicated advising and academic support. Services are available for students with disabilities. To obtain information or request services, please visit www.csmd.edu/disabilitysupport.
Costs
CCPS will fully cover students’ CSM tuition, administrative fees, and course materials. CCPS will also provide boxed lunches and transportation from students’ home high schools to CSM campuses and back.
Eligibility Criteria
Be a junior or senior for the 2025-2026 academic year at a Charles County public high school.
GPA
Rising juniors must have completed Alg. 2 with a B or better to be considered for Business Administration Associates or Alg. 1 with a C or better for Health Science Certificates.
Rising seniors must have completed Algebra Trig. and Stats or Algebra 2 with a grade of C or higher by the end of the 2024-2025 academic year to apply for the General Studies Transfer Certificate.
All rising juniors and seniors must have completed their Student Service Learning hours requirements.
All rising juniors and seniors must have completed their state testing requirements.
Students who are selected for the program will be required to participate in an in-person CSM New Student Orientation in late August.
Applications will be reviewed, and students will be notified of acceptance in the late spring. When there are more applicants than spaces available, a lottery system will be used.
How to Apply
Application will be available December 16, 2024. Application deadline is January 31, 2025.
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Parents and guardians with questions can contact their child’s high school counselor. For information about the application or the program, contact us at EarlyCollege@csmd.edu.
The Early College Experience
As an Early College student, you’ll get the full experience of being a CSM student taking college classes full time.
You’ll attend class at CSM campuses in our fully-equipped classroom spaces and labs, with small class sizes.
You’ll have access to CSM facilities and resources, as well as a comprehensive network of support services provided by both CSM and your home high school.
You’ll experience firsthand the pace and rigor of college-level coursework. Most importantly, you’ll see the reward for your dedication and effort when you graduate high school with your diploma and a certificate, an associate's degree, or a full year of college credit under your belt depending on when you start in the Early College Program.
As an Early College student, you’ll get the full experience of being a CSM student taking college classes full time.
You’ll attend class at CSM campuses in our fully-equipped classroom spaces and labs, with small class sizes.
You’ll have access to CSM facilities and resources, as well as a comprehensive network of support services provided by both CSM and your home high school.
You’ll experience firsthand the pace and rigor of college-level coursework. Most importantly, you’ll see the reward for your dedication and effort when you graduate high school with your diploma and a certificate, an associate's degree, or a full year of college credit under your belt depending on when you start in the Early College Program.
As an Early College student, you’ll get the full experience of being a CSM student taking college classes full time.
You’ll attend class at CSM campuses in our fully-equipped classroom spaces and labs, with small class sizes.
You’ll have access to CSM facilities and resources, as well as a comprehensive network of support services provided by both CSM and your home high school.
You’ll experience firsthand the pace and rigor of college-level coursework. Most importantly, you’ll see the reward for your dedication and effort when you graduate high school with your diploma and a certificate, an associate's degree, or a full year of college credit under your belt depending on when you start in the Early College Program.