Question about the beginer's course in Maryland
 

I am going to take the 4 day course in July. I am wondering do you have to do the figure 8 in this class in order to get your license or no? And how difficult is it to actually get your license through this program?

Figure 8, Swerve and Stop, Emergency Stop, and Cornering were required when I took in May in Howard County Community College....

Yes, you have to do a figure eight in order to pass the course/get your endorsement.
I found it to be pretty easy to get my endorsement; I had only had dirt experiance previously, so the only difficult part was breaking my bad habits (i.e. putting a foot down in a tight low speed turn).
I took the course in VT, but they should be basically the same everywhere. The course was informative and my instructers were great. I'm pretty sure all the instructors will be good regardless of state, since they are there because they enjoy riding and want to share it with others.

use the course motorcycles, they are very forgiving, low to the ground, and stable; best of all, low powered and acceptable brakes.

Ok thatnks

If it's a MSF (Motorcycle Safety Foundation) endorsed class, then it's the same everywhere down to the course layouts. One of thing that gets a lot of people during the test is this:

Listen to the instructions given.

The the figure 8 (or The Box) is scary at first but easily within the capability of any bike / rider. You'll get plenty of practice before having to do it for the test so don't worry. But failing to listen to the examiner's instructions is bad. For example, Braking Test. The examiner will instruct you to

• Stop within a certain distance after passing a specific point
• Use BOTH brakes
• DOWNSHIFT while braking

People consistently miss the last two, despite stopping well within the required distance.

It is a MSF course so thank you very much