Eligible students can earn college credit and a no-cost certificate
Adelphi, Md. — Sept. 3, 2026 — University of Maryland Global Campus and Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) today announced a dual enrollment partnership, marking a new opportunity for eligible PGCPS high school juniors to earn college credit and pursue a UMGC undergraduate certificate before graduation.
Through the PGCPS to UMGC Dual Enrollment Program, eligible PGCPS juniors may enroll at UMGC and pursue one of three undergraduate certificates: Artificial Intelligence Foundations, Leadership and Ethics, or Spanish for Business and the Professions. Approved students may pursue and, upon successful completion, earn their certificate at no cost through funding provided by PGCPS.
The partnership expands PGCPS’ Dual Enrollment program with certificate pathways in areas increasingly important to today’s workforce. Artificial Intelligence Foundations introduces students to key concepts and applications in AI; Leadership and Ethics focuses on management, organizational leadership and ethical decision-making; and Spanish for Business and the Professions strengthens language and professional communication skills through coursework taught in Spanish that explores business cultures and economic conditions across the Spanish-speaking world.
"This partnership reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to higher education and creating clear pathways to student success,” said UMGC President Gregory W. Fowler, PhD. “Building on successful collaborations such as the 3D Scholars program, UMGC and Prince George's County Public Schools are creating new opportunities for students to earn college credit and industry-relevant credentials before they graduate from high school. Together, we are helping more Maryland students gain an early start on their academic and career goals while strengthening the future workforce of our state."
For PGCPS, the partnership builds upon its Dual Enrollment program, giving students more opportunities for a head start on college credits while helping them explore career interests, strengthen academic skills and gain valuable college experience before graduation, at no cost to students.
“Partnering with UMGC allows us to remove financial barriers and provide our students with direct, high-value pathways into the modern workforce,” said PGCPS Superintendent Shawn Joseph, EdD. “By offering tuition-free certificates in emerging and critical fields like artificial intelligence, leadership, and professional Spanish, we are not just giving our high schoolers a head start on college credit—we are empowering them with practical, industry-aligned skills that give them a competitive edge in their future careers.”
Students accepted into the program will begin coursework in fall 2026 and complete a career preparatory course that introduces them to UMGC and helps connect their academic experience with professional goals and career options. Interested students and families are encouraged to speak with their school counselor and visit the partnership webpage for more information.
About University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military service members. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 100 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.
About PGCPS
Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS), one of the nation's 20th largest school districts, has 200 schools and centers, more than 130,000 students and 22,000 employees. The school system serves a diverse student population from urban, suburban and rural communities located in the Washington, DC suburbs. PGCPS is nationally recognized for college and career-readiness programs that provide students with unique learning opportunities, including dual enrollment and language immersion.
Media Contacts
University of Maryland Global Campus: media@umgc.edu
Prince George’s County Public Schools: Lynn McCawley, lmccawle@pgcps.org