A to Z Directory

Academic Advising and Planning is the process of setting your educational goals and determining the best path to meet them. It is critical students play an active role in this process from start to finish during their time at Montgomery College. Counseling faculty and program advisors are available to assist and support you along your educational journey at Montgomery College.

The Academic Appeal process (PDF, )  is used to request an exception to certain academic regulations.

Residents of 16 states may participate in the Southern Regional Education Board’s Academic Common Marketnew window, an agreement that enables students to pursue unique majors offered at public institutions in the other SREB states while paying in-state tuition. Savings to students are significant.

Each campus has a bookstore with textbooks and necessary school supplies.

Boys to Men is a group dedicated to the retention of African American/black males at Montgomery College through mentorship.

Campus BIT teams are proactive ways to address the growing need in the college community for coordinated and caring developmental intervention for those in need prior to a crisis.

Career Coachnew window is a computer based program designed to help you discover majors and in-demand careers and education based on your interests.

Center for Early Education provides outstanding research and training opportunities for college students seeking knowledge of early childhood education and development.

The Clothing Library is a feature of the Institute for Race, Justice and Civic Engagement located in Pavilion 4-203 allows students to borrow clothes for job interviews and other professional opportunities.

Commencement is a once a year celebration, held in May.

Counseling faculty help students with their personal, career, and educational goals and assist students with selecting the courses that are right for them. Counselors also teach student success courses, such as First Year Seminar, and provide interventions and support when students need help. 

CREATE is a cohort program open to students pursuing any associate of arts in teaching (AAT) at Montgomery College.

MC offers all students the opportunity to apply credit taken outside MC towards graduation from MC. You may transfer prior credits from other institutions, take exams, and/or get credit for life experiences, including military service or industry credentials.

These programs offer an accelerated, rigorous and rewarding experience for high school students looking to simultaneously earn an associates degree along with their high school diploma.  Each program is currently offered to select MCPS high schools.

The Educational Opportunity Center program is sponsored by a TRIO grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Post-secondary Education and Montgomery College to serve participants in seven sections of Montgomery County-- Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Kensington, Aspen Hill, Rockville, and Gaithersburg.

Financial Aid is a range of financial resources provided by the federal government, state government, Montgomery College, and private resources to help students pay for college through grants, scholarships, student loans and work-study programs, based on eligibility.

First Year Experience is a select series of programs for beginning Montgomery College students.

There is a food pantry on each campus. In addition, mobile markets offering free, nutritious food visit each campus on a regular basis.

Graduation is a process and event used by students nearing completion of their studies. Graduation at Montgomery College occurs after the conclusion of fall, spring, and summer terms.

GITE is a facility offering instructional programs in four primary areas: Automotive Technology, Building and Construction Technology, Digital Fabrication and Workforce Technologies.

The Health Sciences Institute provides entry level health career training and Nursing related programs such as Certified Nursing Assistant and Geriatric Nursing Assistant.

The Higher Education Opportunity Act provides student consumer information. The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) was established to provide consumers with comparable information from all institutions of higher education. HEOA's required disclosures are mandated to give consumers easy access to information that can be used in making sound decisions about their education. 

The Honors program is a collegewide program for motivated students seeking exciting and academically rewarding experiences. It allows students to discover and develop their talents and interests through honors courses, seminars, independent study, internships, service-learning opportunities, and social and cultural activities. It features five special programs: Renaissance Scholars, STEM Scholars,  Macklin Business Institute,  Montgomery Scholars, and the Scholars Circle.

The Information Technology Institute has a wide variety of noncredit, hands-on, computer training classes ranging from very basic computer skills to advanced software development and computer certification classes.

International & Multicultural Student Services was created to develop and coordinate programs and services. The Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus serves the most diverse student body at Montgomery College.

Involuntary Withdrawal (PDF, ) may be requested whenever there are circumstances beyond the student’s control which make it impossible to complete the course(s) in progress during a given semester.

The library facilitates student success by collaborating with the College community in the creation and delivery of innovative services in a culture of excellence and accountability. Access to digital databases, books, music, reference tutorials and expert librarians comprise some of what is available from all Montgomery College libraries.

The Maryland Dream Act is a state law and applies to all future semesters. The law allows Maryland high school graduates who are undocumented immigrants, U.S. citizens, and other statuses the opportunity to qualify for the lowest tuition rates at their public colleges and universities upon meeting certain eligibility requirements and submitting required documentation. 

MC Alerts is the communications system Montgomery College uses to send emergency text alerts, notifications and email messages and/or mobile device, as well as digital signage on College property. All MC students, faculty, and staff email accounts are automatically registered on the MC Alert system via MyMC. 

MC Pride is a recognized collegewide organization for Montgomery College’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied faculty and staff, positioned with the Office of Equity and Diversity.

Activity intended to help reduce stress. Fifteen minute guided activity each week, followed by 45 minutes of quiet stress reducing activity. Open to all.

Montgomery College exercise facilities are open to students, faculty, and staff during select hours. All of our facilities are fully equipped with a variety of equipment to ensure that you will get a great workout. All participants must have a valid student ID and completed forms which are available in each campus facility.

Parking and Transportation

Ride-On - Montgomery College students can ride the Montgomery County Ride On buses for free, with a current Montgomery College identification card.

Shuttle - The MC Shuttle operates during the fall and spring semesters from the first day of classes through the Friday of exam week.  Students, faculty, and staff may ride any MC Shuttle at no charge by showing valid college identification.

Parking and Motor Vehicle Registration - a valid parking permit is required to park on any Montgomery College campus.

The Paul Peck Humanities Institute increases and enhances the presence of the humanities at Montgomery College, and in our broader community. The programs and events offered impact Montgomery College students, faculty and staff, as well as area residents and ensure the advancement of the humanities at MC.

There are several ways to manage college expenses.

The President’s Advisory Committee on Equity and Inclusion provides leadership to foster an inclusive, civil, and respectful community that achieves equity for all and provide guidance to the president and the Senior Administrative Leadership Team.

The Southern Management Leadership Program (formerly the Hillman Entrepreneurs Program), is a three-year scholarship and educational program that supports, develops, and graduates ethical leaders who want to energize and give back to their local communities.

Student success (PDF, ) is the primary goal of Montgomery College. Achieving student success will be the driving force behind College planning, budgeting, and decision-making. Success is accomplished through a collaborative effort to achieve learning that actively engages students, faculty, and staff. Student success can be measured by identifying and clarifying student goals and expectations upon entry, assessing student progress and experiences through their courses, and evaluating student outcomes at the time of exit. Montgomery College fulfills its implicit contract with the larger community when student success is achieved.

Student Life offices are centered on various avenues for student engagement on all three campuses. Opportunities to join or create clubs, serve in student governance, explore service learning or attend Student Life sponsored events are provided collegewide.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission designates certain community college programs as statewide programsnew window. Students may enroll in any of these programs at the same rates as in-county residents if a particular program is not offered by the local community college or if the student cannot enroll due to an enrollment limit.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 is a federal law that requires Montgomery College to treat education records of students.

Title IX protects people from discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities that receive Federal financial assistance. Title IX states that:  "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

• Pregnant and parenting students - The College’s Equal Education Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy (41002) makes clear that discrimination is prohibited against persons on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities. The legal prohibition against sex discrimination in education comes from, among other places, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex—including pregnancy and related conditions—in educational programs and activities that are eligible for federal funding. This means that the College must give all students who might be, are, or have been pregnant the same access to school programs and educational opportunities that other students have. Thus, the College is obligated to provide the academic adjustments, accommodations, and support.

The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Students enrolled in today's TRiO programs mirror our nation's multicultural and multiethnic society.

 An official transcript is the College’s certified statement of the academic record of a student The official paper transcript is printed on security sensitive paper and contains the College seal and signature of the College Registrar. The official electronic transcript is a PDF secured by a digital certificate that is displayed at the top of the transcript along with a blue ribbon. The college will not release an official transcript without the student’s signature. 

Transcript Evaluations (from accredited American colleges and universities) - Students may apply coursework taken at other U.S. colleges and universities toward their degree program at Montgomery College.

Transcript Evaluations (PDF, )   (from foreign colleges and universities) - Students may apply coursework taken outside of the United States toward their degree program at Montgomery College. It is a two step process.

Montgomery College welcomes all students, including undocumented students. Undocumented students, who often face barriers and challenges as they navigate campus policies, require support services that address their unique needs. The College provides extra support for students who need help navigating the requirements of the Maryland Dream Act and DACA. 

Veterans - We offer immediate in-county tuition rates for active duty service members, reservists, Maryland National Guardsmen, and their dependents, and flexible withdrawal procedures in case of activation, enlistment, or deployment. 

Workforce Development and Continuing Education offers a wide range of non credit and job training courses designed to meet needs of county residents and businesses.

Z courses are sections of a course which have no required textbook purchase because the instructor is making use of materials which have no cost to students. Z courses can be found by searching the registration site, under attribute type. Z courses can be in person, blended, or exclusively online courses.