LARGO, MD—Prince George’s Community College and Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies today signed an articulation agreement, allowing qualified Prince George’s Community College graduates to enroll in Georgetown’s Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (BALS) Program and is effective immediately. The program seeks to foster increased access and greater academic success for nontraditional students transferring from community college to Georgetown.

“This articulation agreement with Georgetown University represents yet another wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Charlene M. Dukes, president, Prince George’s Community College. “This agreement not only provides our graduates access to a prestigious academic resource in the community, but it builds upon their desires to continue their education in the metro area,” she added.

Today’s agreement clarifies a student’s potential path from Prince George’s Community College to Georgetown’s BALS program, providing a continuum of high quality academic curricula, student achievement and the transfer of course credits necessary for a smooth transition from Prince George’s Community College to the BALS program at the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown. To be eligible for this program, students must graduate from Prince George’s Community College with an earned GPA of 3.0.

“A bachelor’s degree is a vital credential needed to succeed in the 21st century workplace,” said Robert Manuel, dean of the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown, which oversees the BALS degree program. “The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies provides individuals with the flexibility to pursue an excellent education while balancing the unique demands that face many nontraditional students and working professionals in the metro area. This partnership is another example of Georgetown’s efforts to increase access and opportunities for students to pursue a college education and get the tools they need to fulfill their potential.”

To maximize opportunities available to students through this agreement, Georgetown will award an annual John Lafarge Scholarship to a Prince George’s Community College student to pursue a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies. The first scholarship was awarded in advance of today’s signing to Seon Wilburg, a May 2007 Prince George’s Community College graduate. Wilburg is currently enrolled in Georgetown’s BALS program and hopes to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate degree.

The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies is an interdisciplinary program that offers students the ability to study in one of 17 areas of concentration, including international affairs, social and public policy and Catholic studies. To graduate, a student must complete 120 semester credits. For more information about the BALS program visit http://www12.georgetown.edu/scs/ls/ls_home_ba.html.

About Prince George's Community College

Prince George's Community College is a comprehensive, public, post-secondary institution that provides high quality academic instruction, workforce development and continuing education to the citizens of Prince George's County. The college awards associate’s degrees, letters of recognition and program certificates. For more information, visit the college Web site at www.pgcc.edu.

About Georgetown University

Georgetown University is the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in America, founded in 1789 by Archbishop John Carroll. Georgetown today is a major student-centered, international, research university offering respected undergraduate, graduate and professional programs on its three campuses in Washington, DC. For more information about Georgetown University, visit www.georgetown.edu.