If you want to start a rewarding career without spending four years in a traditional college, trade schools are a quicker, less-expensive path towards becoming a skilled employee.
Trade schools offer specialized training for specific careers by focusing only on the topics that are relevant to that field.
To help you decide if a trade school program would fit your lifestyle and career goals, on this page, we have compiled information about the best trade schools in Frederick and the programs they offer.
The schools included in our list offer programs in various fields, like automotive technology, construction, cosmetology, electricity, healthcare, and more.
The programs focus on practical skills development by providing students with real-world experience in their field of choice.
Our selection includes both adult education and high school programs.
Costs range from $1,000 or less to more than $20,000, depending on the school and the career path you choose.
We encourage you to read further and find out more about the trade schools available in the Frederick region.
#1Frederick County Career & Technology Center
Frederick County Career & Technology Center offers a variety of construction, technology, service, and mechanical/technical training programs.
The programs are open to FCPS students in Grades 9, 10, and 11 who are in good standing at their high schools.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the center:
- Agribusiness & Entrepreneurship
- Carpentry
- Electricity
- HVAC & Plumbing
- Cisco Networking Academy
- Digital Design & Printing Methods
- Television/Multimedia Production
- Biomedical Science
- Cosmetology
- Culinary Arts
- Dental Assisting
- Collision Repair
- Welding Agricultural & Comm. Metals Tech.
- And more
The Carpentry program is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students who are interested in learning skills such as blueprint reading, construction methods, material estimating, work ethics, and safety.
The Dental Assisting program teaches concepts in oral/dental healthcare, oral embryology/histology, general anatomy and physiology, dental radiology, and digital imaging and prevention of dental diseases.
Contact Information
- Address: 7922 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, MD 21702
- Phone: 227-203-3650
- Website: https://ctc.sites.fcps.org
#2Temple Frederick
About the School
Temple Frederick is a Paul Mitchell Partner school that offers a 1,500-hour Cosmetology program.
The school is housed in a 15,000-square-foot, 100-year-old Masonic Temple in the heart of downtown Frederick.
Courses Offered
The Cosmetology program curriculum covers all aspects of the beauty industry, including design, cutting, coloring, multicultural techniques, makeup, fashion trends, manicuring, pedicuring, basic facials, and more.
The program has three levels: Core, Adaptive, and Creative.
The Core phase takes place during the first 10 weeks of training and includes 350 hours of training.
The total cost is $24,750 and includes application fee, books, supplies, and materials, sales tax on student kit, and tuition.
Contact Information
- Address: 22 West Church Street, Frederick, MD 21701
- Phone: 301-682-7550
- Website: https://pmthetemple.edu
#3Hunter Engineering Company
About the School
Hunter Engineering Company trains technicians for the under-vehicle service equipment industry.
Hunter training begins with concept theory and discussion (30%) and finishes with hands-on training (70%).
Classes are led by ASE-certified instructors, and all training material is kept up-to-date through a rigorous curriculum review process.
Trainees learn more about alignment, ADAS, tire changing and balancing, and many other skills.
Hunter University also offers many online learning courses that are available at students’ convenience:
- ADAS Overview
- Rolling Smooth
- Intro to Alignment
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 11250 Hunter Dr, Bridgeton, MO 63044
- Phone: (314) 731-0000
- Website: https://www.hunter.com
#4Frederick Community College
About the School
Frederick Community College trains skilled and professionally trained workers.
Students may earn a Workforce Training Certificate by enrolling in one of the college’s trades and vocational training programs.
Courses Offered
The following trade and vocational programs are available:
- Building Trades Credit Programs
- Computer-Aided Design Credit Program
- Construction Mgmt Credit Program
- Workforce Training- Electrical
- Workforce Training- HVAC
- Workforce Training- Welding
- Automotive Technology
- Trades & Vocational Training
- OSHA & Safety Training
Trades & Vocational Training also includes an Introduction to Building Trades course.
Tuition for this course is $331, and the fees sum up to $165.50
Contact Information
- Address: 7932 Opossumtown Pike • Frederick, MD 21702
- Phone: (301) 624-2888
- Website: https://frederick.augusoft.net
#5Hagerstown Community College
About the School
Hagerstown Community College offers credit degrees and certificates that prepare students for immediate job entry or university transfer.
The college also offers the following construction trades apprenticeships:
- Registered Apprenticeship at Barr Construction Institute
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Mobile Crane Operator Certification
- Home Inspection
Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Courses are also available, with a focus on apprenticeship or employment in the skilled trades.
The topics covered include:
- Discussing safety obligations to ensure a secure workplace
- Explaining the application of basic mathematical functions to the construction industry
- Demonstrating the proper use of basic hand and power tools
- Demonstrating the ability to interpret and use drawing dimensions
- Explaining how to safely move materials from one location to another
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21742
- Phone: 240-500-2000
- Website: https://www.hagerstowncc.edu
#6Anne Arundel Community College
About the School
Anne Arundel Community College offers associate degrees and credit certificates that prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution or move into an immediate career.
The following professional skills & certifications are available:
- Truck Driving
- Child Care
- Casino Dealer School
- Dental Assisting
The Dental Assisting program includes:
- 118 hours of instruction in dental assisting and radiology
- Access to an open lab to practice hands-on skills critical to the success of any dental assistant
- Preparation for the Dental Assisting National Board Radiology and Health and Safety exam
- Access to success coaches who help with studying, time management, and success skills
- Certificate of Completion from AACC
- Job placement assistance
The total program cost for Anne Arundel County residents is $1,663, including tuition, fees, and supplies.
Contact Information
- Address: 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD 21012-1895
- Phone: 410-777-AACC (2222)
- Website: https://www.aacc.edu
#7Harford Community College
About the School
Harford Community College offers more than 140 affordable degree, certificate, and career and workforce programs to more than 6,300 full- and part-time students.
Courses Offered
The following degree and certificate programs are available at the college:
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Criminal Justice
- Data Science
- Engineering Technology
- Exercise Science
- Information Assurance and Cybersecurity
- Medical Office Assistant
- Social Work
- And more
The following career and workforce programs are also available:
- Commercial Truck Driving
- Dental Assisting
- Electrical Apprenticeship
- Heavy Equipment Operations
- HVAC Apprenticeship
- Medication Administration
- Paramedic
- Phlebotomy Technician
- Veterinary Assistant
- Welding Certification
- And more
The Phlebotomy Technician program is open to students at least 18 years of age who have a high school diploma or GED.
After completing the program, students may sit for the National Healthcareer Association certification exam to earn the designation of Certified Phlebotomy Technician.
This program costs $1,885.
Contact Information
- Address: 401 Thomas Run Road, Bel Air, MD 21015
- Phone: 443.412.2000
- Website: https://www.harford.edu
#8Howard Community College
Howard Community College offers a diverse and supportive community dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and career goals.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the college:
- Additive Manufacturing Technology
- Baking and Pastry Arts
- Cardiac Monitoring and Analysis
- Certified Bookkeeping
- Cyber Forensics Technology
- Health Care Careers
- Restaurant Management
- And more
Depending on the career path, students may achieve an Associate Degree, Career Certificate, or Diploma after completing the program.
Contact Information
- Address: 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044
- Phone: 443-518-1000
- Website: https://www.howardcc.edu
#9Allegany College of Maryland
Allegany College of Maryland offers a variety of programs in Cumberland, Bedford, Gateway, and Western Maryland.
Courses Offered
The following career and technical education programs are available:
- Applied Technical Studies
- Automotive Technology
- Criminal Justice
- Forest Technology
- Hospitality Management
- Massage Therapy
- Medical Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Technology
- Physical Therapist Assistant
- And more
The Automotive Technology program is an ASE Education Foundation-certified program.
The program gives students the latest hands-on experience, training them for an exciting career in the automotive service industry.
Students learn skills such as:
- Automotive General Service Procedures and Methods
- Automotive Heating and Air Conditioning
- Gasoline and Diesel Engine Service
- Automotive Chassis/Steering, Suspension, and Brakes Service
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 12401 Willowbrook Road, SE , Cumberland, Maryland 21502-2596
- Phone: 301-784-5000
- Website: https://www.allegany.edu
#10Prince George's Community College
About the School
Prince George’s Community College offers a variety of courses and apprenticeships.
The following apprenticeships are available at PGCC:
- Application Developer
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Digital Marketer
- Help Desk Technician
- Lodging and Hotel Management
- Restaurant Management.
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, allowing trainees to receive a skills-based education that prepares them for well-paying industry jobs.
The Data Analyst program leads to a Department of Labor Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship.
Students learn how to:
- Collect, compile, and clean raw data
- Analyze and interpret data
- Create visualizations that tell compelling data stories
Contact Information
- Address: 301 Largo Road, Largo MD 20774
- Phone: 301-546-PGCC (7422)
- Website: https://www.pgcc.edu
Schools Summary Table
Final Thoughts
Now that you have read our selection of the best trade schools in the Frederick region, it’s time to continue the research and apply for the program that best fits your learning style and career aspirations.
This is an important step, so take your time and make an informed decision.
Trade Schools by City in Maryland
