This school appears in our ranking Top 30 Online Master's in Special Education Degrees 2017.
The University of Maine (UMaine) is the oldest member of the University of Maine Systems, a network of public universities in Maine. With over 11,000 students, it is the largest research university in the state. UMaine's campus is located on an island and is full of beautiful, historic buildings that have earned the oldest areas recognition as historical sites. A demonstrated commitment to sustainability distinguishes UMaine from other public state universities. The school boasts a thriving student life with Division I sports teams and an incorporated student government and campus newspaper. Ninety undergraduate degrees are offered through the UMaine colleges of Business, Public Policy, and Health; Education and Human Development; Engineering; Liberal Arts and Sciences; and Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture. Research and practice-focused graduate degrees are an important part of university life.
Founded as the Maine State College of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts in 1865, UMaine began offering classes in engineering and agriculture three years later. As the academic offerings began to grow, the university focused its resources on developing a liberal arts program. This program included the first woman in the United States to head a major university department. In 1897, the leadership changed the school's name to The University of Maine to reflect its expanded focus. Today, while UMaine continues to offer accredited degrees in agriculture and engineering, it has expanded its reach to include acclaimed programs in fields such as education and business. A growing online campus is the newest area of UMaine's ongoing advancement.
University of Maine Accreditation Details
The University of Maine is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, an accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education. The university was originally accredited in 1929 and most recently had its accreditation reaffirmed in 2009. The University of Maine is scheduled for its next review in 2019.
Degrees conferred by the Maine School of Business, including online MBAs, are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation is the accrediting organization for the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Maine. This college offers online degrees in education and human services.
University of Maine Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants to UMaine must complete an online application and submit a $40 application fee. Once this step is completed, they should send official high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores to the UMaine Office of Admissions. Test scores are waived for transfer students or applicants older than 20. Finally, students must submit a personal essay describing their academic and professional goals and a recommendation from a teacher or other academic reference. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the early action deadline in December to increase their chances of admission.
Graduate admission requires an online application submitted with a $65 fee. This fee will be waived for former or current members of the United States armed forces. Letters of recommendation from professional and academic references and official transcripts from schools of higher education must be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions. A personal essay describing the applicant's reasons for choosing the program is also required. Applicants should expect to wait six to eight weeks before hearing about their admissions status.
Specific graduate programs have additional qualifications for admission. The online MBA program requires submission of GMAT test scores, though this may be waived for applicants who already have a Ph.D. or an MD or have several years of demonstrated professional experience. Applicants to the Master's of Education program must submit MAT test scores and proof of having completed a teacher preparatory program followed by state teaching licensure.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Undergraduate tuition for online UMaine degrees is $286 per credit hour for in-state students and $358 per hour for out-of-state students. Merit scholarships are available for students who are accepted through UMaine's early action admissions program. Students who enroll after this December deadline will be considered for scholarships depending on available funds. Further funding is available for Maine residents, international students, and transfer students.
Tuition for online master's degrees is $429 per credit hour for in-state students and $536 for out-of-state students. The online Ph.D. program tuition is $429 per hour for in-state students and $1,397 per hour for out-of-state students. Graduate assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships are available by application. Additionally, Ph.D. students will receive a $23,000 stipend in addition to funding for tuition, fees, and half the cost of healthcare insurance for the first two years of the program.
Online Degrees Available
UMaine offers a variety of online undergraduate and graduate degrees. Most are offered completely online, though some require a blend of online and in-person classes.
Undergraduate Degrees
Online undergraduate degrees include the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and the Bachelor of Arts in University Studies. The political science degree focuses on comparative politics, political theory, American politics, and international relations. University Studies students may choose from a concentration in Labor Studies, Leadership, Maine Studies, or a self-designed concentration. Both degrees are available completely online.
Graduate Degrees
UMaine's online campus offers 15 master's degrees and 2 doctorate degrees. The online Master's of Business Administration is a 30-hour degree that is completely online and includes some synchronous meetings. Courses like Statistical Analysis and Modeling Management Policy make up the core classes that emphasize leadership, management, and analytics. An international study session is an option with the program. Other online degree options include seven Master's of Education degrees that range from Special Education concentrations to curriculum, assessment, and instruction for elementary and secondary classrooms. These programs feature a small class size and close student and faculty relationships. Each student will complete their program with an action research project that demonstrates their ability to apply theory to practice. The online Ph.D. programs include Biomedical Engineering and Biomedical Science and are available throughout Maine through Polycom classroom tools. Doctorate students will work closely with a mentor to complete a research thesis. Though some coursework is available online, students must participate in lab research to earn the degree.