University of Maine at Farmington 2020-2021 Catalog

 
The University
Academic Organization, Faculty Listing
Academic Programs
Courses
Admission, Costs, Financial Aid
Academic Policies
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Context

Academic Programs
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Bachelor's Degree Programs

Actuarial Science
Biology
Business Economics
Community Health Education
Community Health Education: Teaching Concentration in School Health Education
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Special Education
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Elementary Education
English
General Studies
Geography and Environmental Planning
History
Interdisciplinary Studies
        - Anthropology
        - Business Psychology
        - Environmental Science
        - Liberal Studies
        - Philosophy/Religion
        - Self-Designed
        - Web Media and Design
International and Global Studies
Mathematics
Outdoor Recreation Business Administration
Performing Arts
        Arts Administration
        Music
        Theatre
Political Science
Psychology
Rehabilitation Services
School Health Education: Physical Education Concentration
Secondary Education
        English
        Mathematics
        Science
        Social Studies
Special Education
Visual Art
World Languages Teacher Education
Pre-Professional Study

Pre-professional Programs

If you are interested in preparing for admission to law school, to programs in medicine, dentistry, optometry and other health-related professional schools, or a M.B.A. program, you can readily do so at the University of Maine at Farmington. Academic advisors and counselors from the Center for Human Development will assist you with information about admission, testing and financial aid.

Pre-law Study

There is no universally recognized pre-law major. While many people recommend a major in the social sciences as most appropriate, the Law School Admission Council suggests that students need to "think, read, and write well, and have some understanding of what shapes human experience. Because a lawyer's work involves most aspects of our complex society, a broad liberal arts curriculum is the preferred preparation for law school." So a demanding liberal arts major is preferred, with courses in political science, history, philosophy (especially Critical Thinking and/or Logic), and theatre recommended. Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. James Melcher is the current advisor for pre-law students. His office is located in the Roberts Learning Center.

Pre-medical and Other Health-related Study

There is no universally recognized pre-medical, pre-vet, pre-pharm, etc. major. Medical schools and other health-related professional programs require a minimum of one year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, and usually one semester of calculus. Since additional recommended courses include genetics, cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry, and anatomy and physiology, most of these students choose to major in biology. However, you can choose any major that appeals to you while still taking the core required courses in science as a Pre-Professional Health minor or as general credits. Appropriate independent study, research, volunteering and internship opportunities are desirable to demonstrate your individual and humanitarian interests. For further information, contact Dr. A. Mariella Passarelli, Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Passarelli is the advisor for pre-medical students and other pre-professional students in health-related fields. Her office is located in Ricker Hall.

Pre-professional, M.B.A Study

The majority of graduate schools which offer M.B.A programs do not require a specific undergraduate major in order to be admitted to an M.B.A program. However, a background in the core areas of business is advisable. If you are not pursuing a degree in business or a related area, (such as Business Economics, Business Psychology, Social Enterprise, Art Administration, Rehabilitation Administration or a minor in Business) then you should consider courses such as Principles of Accounting, Principles of Management, Principles of Marketing, Managerial Finance as well as principles of Economics. Additional courses in Business, Economics and Mathematics (such as statistics and Mathematics for Economics and Business) will be helpful.  For further information, contact Dr. S. Waleck Dalpour, Professor of Business.  Dr. Dalpour is the advisor for pre-MBA students. His office is located in Roberts Learning Center.

Certificates

General Education

Philosophical Statement

 
A liberal arts education liberates individuals from the particularity of their pre-college lives and provides entry into larger communities, both intellectual and social. At the same time, a liberal arts education liberates students to find their way in a complex, interconnected world both as individuals and as members of various communities. A liberal arts education combines the discovery of new perspectives with the acquisition of core knowledge and transferable skills to empower students to be successful in a rapidly changing world. In the end, a liberal arts education offers what life post-college in a global world demands: the capacity to negotiate the tension between personal freedom and social responsibility.
 
Thus, a liberal arts education liberates and empowers. Whereas a student's major empowers him/her to master a specific discipline and excel within the context of a particular field, the role of General Education in a liberal arts education is to liberate and empower the student as a citizen and inquirer in the broader world.
 

General Education Requirements

Overall General Education Learning Goals

 

General Education Requirements Summary Table

Credits

First Year Requirements

 

        ENG 100:  English Composition (C- minimum required)

4

        FYS 100:  First-Year Seminar

4

        PHE 010Health and Fitness Activity

0

Distribution Course Requirements

 

      Mathematics (1 M course)

4

      Natural Sciences (2 N courses)

8

      Social Sciences and Psychology (2 S courses)

8

      Humanities (1 H course)

4

      Art (1 A course)

4

      Cultural Competence (1 C course)

4

Other Requirements

 

        World Languages

*

MINIMUM TOTAL

40

 

First Year Requirements

In the first year: both of the following, in the same semester or consecutive semesters:

FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (4 cr)*

ENG 100 Writing Seminar (4 cr) (C- or higher required)

Also,


PHE 010 Health and Fitness Activity - All students (including transfer students) must sign up for and participate in a physical activity (PHE 010, 0 cr) at the Health Fitness and Recreation Center. Students are strongly encouraged to take PHE 010 during their first year at UMF.

 

        *Transfer students should see Transfer Student Policies below.

 

Learning Outcomes for the Distribution Requirements

Distribution Courses - Eight courses, generally not carrying a prerequisite and appropriate for non-majors, found in the course catalogue with a distribution designation following the course number: A for Arts, H for Humanities, M for Mathematics , N for Natural Science, S for Social Science, and C for Cultural Competence. (Distribution requirements fulfilled by Honors or special topics courses are announced when the courses are offered.)

 

          Arts (4 cr): One course (art, art history, music history, theatre)

 

          Humanities (4 cr): One course (English literature, foreign language, philosophy, religion)

 

          Math (4 cr): One course

 

Natural Sciences (8 cr): Two laboratory science courses in two different disciplines (biology, chemistry, environmental science, geology, physics)

 

Social Sciences (8 cr): Two courses in two different disciplines (anthropology, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology, sociology, women's and gender studies)

 

Cultural Competence (4 cr):  One course that includes both skills and knowledge which equip the student to interact successfully with people from other cultures through instruction and practice in taking the perspective of  people whose cultural backgrounds differ from one's own.

 

Can a course count for both a distribution and a major requirement?

Courses in the primary discipline of a major may be used to satisfy the Cultural Competence requirement, but may not be used to fulfill any other General Education distribution requirements. Some required courses for a major may be outside of the primary discipline and these courses may be used to fulfill General Education distribution requirements. There are also exceptions for ENG 100 and mathematics. If you have any questions, your academic advisor will be able to assist you.      

 

World Language Requirement


Students enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts program must have passed either two years of the same world language in high school or two semesters of the same world language at the college level. World languages include American Sign Language (ASL). Language courses numbered 102 and higher may be used to fulfill the Cultural Competence distribution requirement. In addition, specific majors may have more stringent requirements; see the program descriptions in the catalog.

 

General Education Policies for Transfer Students


Transfer students entering with 16 or more credits are exempt from the First-Year Seminar requirement (FYS 100). Transfer students matriculating in January with 8 or more credits, but still needing ENG 100, should take ENG 100 in the first semester; they are then exempt from the First-Year Seminar requirement (FYS 100). 


For transfer students, transcript analysis done at the time of matriculation at UMF will determine which of the Distribution requirements have already been met. 


Transfer students, like all students, must meet the 40 credit requirement for General Education. This applies even if a student is exempt from FYS 100 and/or has met some distribution requirements with 3-credit courses at their former institutions.

 

Students transferring to UMF seeking a second degree after having earned a Bachelor’s degree at another institution must satisfy both the requirements for their new major and UMF’s residency requirements, but are not required to satisfy the UMF General Education requirements.

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Overall General Education Learning Goals

 
In order to fulfill the above mission, Farmington's General Education Program provides a means for students to achieve the following goals:
 
(Note: All general education courses will address Goals 1 and 2)
 
 
1.  Critical Thinking and Decision Making

Goal: Students as critical thinkers will use others' ideas in order to continue their own thinking process and to make informed decisions.
 
Outcomes:
 
a. Students will be able to fluidly combine a variety of intellectual procedures, including categorizing, comparing and contrasting, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating, as a way of understanding a subject through close examination of it and what others say about it.   
 
b. Students will be able to evaluate the validity of support for claims, reference these to general principles where appropriate, and generate responses to others’ ideas that go beyond simple agreement or disagreement, including suggestions for revisions, implications, and further questions. 
 
c. Students will be able to use others’ ideas to continue their own processes of thinking. 
 
d. Students will be able to use a broad range of information research strategies and to evaluate considerations common to all forms of inquiry.
 
e. Students will regularly practice fact gathering as a means of pursuing informed judgment.
 
 
2. Reading, Writing, and Speaking

Goal: Students will read, write and speak effectively both as a means of communication and in pursuit of knowledge.
 
Outcomes:
 
a. Students will be able to read and interpret a broad range of texts, including difficult texts, where their interpretations shall be clear, coherent, and well grounded in the text.
 
b. Students will be able to write clear, coherent, well-organized documents with nearly flawless mechanics.
 
c. Students will be able to formulate and defend a thesis.
 
d. Students will be able to recognize different written forms and be able to adapt their writing to accommodate such forms (as in the various forms of papers in different disciplines).
 
e. Students will be able to use writing as a mode of gaining access to, interpreting, and reflecting on the knowledge that evolves through their personal, academic, and discipline-specific experiences.
 
f. Students will be able to listen and speak effectively in a discussion group and to present their work to audiences.
 
 
3. Commitments to Health and Wellness
 
Goal: Students will be well prepared to act responsibly as advocates for lifelong health and wellness.
 
Outcome:
 
Students will demonstrate knowledge and engage in activity conducive to health and wellness. (Students will use the Health and Fitness center, or engage in other physical activities.)
 
 
4. Interdisciplinary Thinking
 
Goal: Students will be able to think and work across disciplinary boundaries.
 
Outcomes:
 
a. Students will be able to apply something learned in one disciplinary or discursive context to other contexts or create new contexts. 
 
b. Students will be able to synthesize facts and ideas learned in different contexts to create a unified whole.
 
c. Students will be able to draw on material from different disciplines in their exploration of a single question over more than one semester.
 

5. Disciplines as Modes of Inquiry

Goal: Students will develop a broad base of knowledge in several disciplines and be able to evaluate and critique disciplinary perspectives.                                                                

Outcomes: 

a. Students will be able to understand and contribute their own thoughts in the language, methods, and       concepts of disciplines in the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics.

b. Students will be able to apply disciplinary processes, language, and concepts, to real questions or problems.

c. Students will be able to understand the historical significance and power to reveal knowledge of several disciplines.

d. Students will be able to think critically about  disciplinary claims, both for their value as knowledge and in the context of ethical, political, social and environmental issues.      


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General Education Requirements

Learning Outcomes for the Distribution Requirements

 

Humanities:

After completing an “H” course, students will:

a. be able to demonstrate their abilities as careful sensitive readers by interpreting, annotating, and/or otherwise   discussing the significance of texts or linguistic artifacts from the course;

b. have developed their abilities as writers and/or their awareness of their strengths and weaknesses as writers as a result of course assignments and feedback from the instructor;

c. be able to demonstrate their awareness of the relation between language and meaning by discussing the significance of texts or linguistic artifacts from the course in a knowledgeable way;

d. be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the structure of language and/or the structure of texts or linguistic artifacts by analyzing examples from course materials in detail.

________________________________________________________________

Math:

After completing an “M” course, students will:

a. be able to demonstrate fluency in the language of mathematics, including mathematical operations, abstraction, and nomenclature;

b. be able to apply appropriate mathematical problem solving techniques and critically evaluate mathematical claims and solutions in both academic disciplines and their day-to-day lives;

c. be able to articulate the relevance of mathematical methods and models to the foundation and expression of ideas in a variety of disciplines.

d. be able to evaluate quantitative information critically.

________________________________________________________________

Arts:

After completing an “A” course, students will:

a. Either

i)   (in performance/practice courses) be able to sustain a critical engagement with the formal,  technical and conceptual languages of an artistic medium or practice and employ current interpretive methodologies and technical/practical approaches, or

ii)  (in history/theory courses), be able to employ current critically interpretive and/or investigative methodologies and write critically and persuasively using specific vocabulary of the discipline;

b. (in performance/practice courses) be able to apply problem-solving strategies and an applied understanding of intertextuality;

c. (in history/theory courses) have a strong, consistent, historically and theoretically informed critical voice.

________________________________________________________________

Natural Sciences:

After completing an “N” course, students will:

a. be able to articulate an understanding of the scientific process, both in terms of its underlying philosophical perspective and its practical methods and applications;

b. be able to demonstrate a practical understanding of the scientific  process including the abilities o

i.)      developing hypotheses and making predictions about the natural world

ii.)     designing experiments and making observations to test hypotheses

iii.)    critically evaluating results and drawing conclusions

iv.)    communicating findings in a scientific manner;

c. be able to distinguish science from non-science;

d. be able to articulate (a) the importance of science in the 21st century, and (b)  an understanding of the place of science among other disciplines between science and society (i.e. the importance of science in context).

________________________________________________________________

Social Sciences:

After completing an “S” course, students will:

a. be able to demonstrate an understanding of social science methods for exploring the causes of human behavior and the origins and functions of the social structures in which we operate;

b. be able to apply theory and research from the social sciences to discipline-specific issues and questions;

c. be able to demonstrate cognizance of the value, advantages, limitations and distinctiveness of the social sciences. This could include an understanding of:

--the nature and limits of objectivity,

--the provisional status of knowledge in the social sciences, and

--the social sciences’ distinctiveness from the natural sciences and humanities.

________________________________________________________________

Cultural Competence:

After completing a “C” course, students will do three of the following:

a.  be able to demonstrate understanding of the complexity of elements important to members of anotherculture in relation to history, values, communication styles, economy, or beliefs and practices

b. be able to recognize cultural differences in expression or communication, recognize that misunderstandings in communication can occur due to cultural differences, and be able to work towards developing a better understanding based on those differences

c. be able to articulate insights about their own culture and perspectives in comparison with people of other cultures

d. be able to communicate in a culturally basic language other than English beyond the beginner level (i.e. at a level associated with successful completion of 8-9 credits of language study)

 

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Liberal Arts Undeclared

Liberal Arts Undeclared Program


The Liberal Arts Undeclared Program allows students the opportunity to explore career and major options before declaring a traditional or self-designed major. Students begin to research majors during their first semester, and are not required to declare a major until achieving 64 credits (typically near the end of the sophomore year). We encourage students to take time to explore possible majors. It is important to keep in mind during the exploration process that some majors are highly competitive in their selection process and some require a strict adherence to a
sequence of classes in order to graduate in four years. With certain programs, students are encouraged to declare by 32 or 48 credits.

We highly recommend that Liberal Arts Undeclared students work closely with an academic advisor during their exploration process. The academic advisor is a faculty or staff member who will provide guidance with academic decisions while at UMF (pursuing career goals, selecting courses, understanding policies, etc). Students are notified about advisor assignment in the summer before arriving on campus. Career counselors are also available to students in this program. The Center for Student Development administers the advising program for Liberal Arts Undeclared students.

Students in the Liberal Arts Undeclared Program explore majors by taking General Education Requirements and/or introductory courses in majors of interest. There is a lot of flexibility in what courses students can take. In their first semester students will take a First Year Seminar or a Writing Seminar (FYS 100 or ENG 100), and three general education courses in areas of interest (art, humanities, math, natural sciences, or social sciences). Information about specific courses is available by consulting the listing of courses by major or by reviewing the programs of study for Bachelor's Degree Programs. UMF also gives students the ability to create a self-designed study plan which allows them to customize a major to fit particular interests.

For more information about the Liberal Arts Undeclared Program, visit our website at: http://advising.umf.maine.edu/liberal-arts-undecided/ or call 207-778-7040.

Honors Program

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Honors Program brings students and faculty together in a community committed to inquiry and discussion. It is designed for students in any major who are highly motivated and intellectually curious. The program offers a series of interdisciplinary seminars capped at 12 students.  The seminars support student independent research and experiential learning.  Honors courses are open to students who are not in the Honors Program on a space available basis.

The Program bases our academic and extracurricular activities around Six Program Goals: Thinking, Scholarly Inquiry, Writing, Speaking, Perspective, and Civic Engagement. Honors contributes to the public good by preparing undergraduate students to become conscientious and productive members of their communities, to engage in lifelong learning, to enhance their sensitivity to cultural diversity, to behave ethically, and take responsibility for their actions. Furthermore, Honors is also committed to the creation of new knowledge through a sustained program of basic and applied undergraduate research.

Program Requirements

Incoming first-year and transfer students must take at least one Honors course during their first two semesters. All students in the program must maintain a GPA of at least 3.300. Students are required to complete 20 volunteer hours each academic year. 

The program culminates in the Honors thesis or creative project through HON 499.  Successful defense of the thesis or creative project before the Honors Council grants the student the title of University Honors Scholar, the highest academic recognition bestowed by UMF.  This distinction is printed on the diploma and transcripts. Three levels of Honors recognition are possible.

Program Benefits

Honors students have access to the building from 7:00 am until midnight seven days per week during the fall and spring semesters. The Honors House contains a seminar room, private student office with desk and computer, a snack-filled kitchen, and Honors office. The Honors House also opens onto a lovely back deck and yard with seating for use in the warmer months. Students also enjoy the benefits of free printing, priority registration, and the opportunity to engage in monthly on- and off-campus events from game night to local and out-of-state excursions.

 

HONORS RECOGITION LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

University Honors Scholar:

A minimum of 20 credits in Honors, including HON 499 Honors Thesis

University Honors:

A minimum of 20 credits in Honors, including at least one 300+ level course

Honors Certificate:

A minimum of 12 credits in Honors      

 

WAYS TO EARN HONORS CREDIT

Honors Program offers a variety of courses each semester. In addition, students may take advantage of additional options to earn credit toward Honors status outside of HON course offerings through Honors Development Groups, HON 305 Honors Enhancement and Honors Experience.

Honors Development Groups

What is an HDG?  It is a co-curricular program designed to enhance your experience in Honors.  Each group includes 8-12 first-year Honors students and is led by 2 upper level Honors students (preceptors).  It is voluntary to join and has a one hour weekly commitment in the fall semester.

In the spring semester, the groups will undertake a community service project.  The project will be decided by each group - wherever your passions take you, supported by the Honors Program.

Students who successfully complete both semesters will earn 2 Honors credits.  These credits do not fill University graduation requirements, but do count towards the credits needed for Honors recognition.

HON 305 Honors Enhancement

Honors is interested in supporting creative and out-of-the-box pathways for its students as part of an existing course curriculum.  Honors Enhancements allow students the flexibility to incorporate one non-Honors course, up to 4 credits, into the Honors Program.  Enhancements extend a course, perhaps by the submission of final papers and projects for publication, presentation of material at professional conferences, or the integration of coursework with community outreach.  Interested students should consult with the Honors director and arrange with their instructor a suitable plan of study to enhance any UMF course to meet HON standards.  No instructor at the university is under obligation to agree to the arrangement.

Honors Experience

The Honors Experience is intended to provide honors students the opportunity to be actively engaged in the process of learning, i.e. it promotes a student-centered approach to learning. 

Students move through the experiential learning cycle which can be conceptualized as a process with several components: students have an experience (Concrete Experience), reflect on observations about that experience (Reflective Observation), analyze responses and formulate new ideas (Abstract Conceptualization), and then actively test these new ideas in new situations (Active Experimentation). Students prepare a final culminating report and presentation that demonstrates how the experience altered or reinforced previous notions.

Prior to registration, students will work with a faculty member or the honors director to create a proposal for the experience.  Experiences may consist of, but are not limited to internships, volunteerism, research and special projects. Upon the conclusion of the experience, students submit a comprehensive report recording and reflecting upon the experiential learning cycle to the honors director and present on their experience at an honors event.

Typically, honors experience requires 32 hours of “experience” per credit.  Students may enroll for a minimum of 0 credits, but no student is permitted to enroll for more than 4 credits total in HON 396, including multiple or repeatregistrations which are allowed. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and Permission of Honors Director only. (Pass/Fail only.) Variable.

HON 499 HONORS THESIS OR CREATIVE PROJECT

A primary distinguishing feature of an Honors thesis or creative project is the defense.  At a pre-determined date, those completing a thesis or creative project will submit their finished work to the Honors Director, who shares with Honors Council.  (A list of the current members of the Council, including three student representatives, are available on the UMF Honors website or by request.)

The Honors Council conducts the defense, usually held in the Honors House.  The student and their HON 499 faculty advisor attend the actual defense, and the faculty advisor is encouraged to introduce briefly the student and the significance of the student’s work.  A majority of the Council must agree to pass or fail the thesis or creative project.  On occasion the student’s work may be passed contingent on revisions, but given the late timing of the defense, students should present to the Council a finished draft.  Honors provides a document for proposing a thesis or creative project, including general expectations and standards.

The thesis or creative project can be completed along multiple pathways:

1.            No credit model (student independent work, Wilson scholarships)

2.            0-credit model (Honors add on to equivalent capstone work in major, teaching portfolio, etc.)

3.            4-credit model (traditional Honors directed thesis or creative project)

 

 

 

 

Minors

TRIO Johnson Scholars Program

TRIO Johnson Scholars is a UMF advising program that provides personal, transitional, and academic support to students who are the first in their families to attend a four-year college. Becoming a college student is exciting and life-changing, but learning the way things work on campus can be confusing. Whether students have already declared majors or need time to decide, their TRIO Johnson Scholars advisors will offer assistance in understanding the college process. From their first year to graduation, TRIO Johnson Scholar students will have access to individualized advising, professional tutoring, peer or professional mentoring, leadership experience, and cultural enrichment. The TRIO Johnson Scholars program provides a welcoming space--a home base--where students can build the relationships that will support their success at UMF and beyond. Each semester a limited number of merit scholarships are awarded to eligible students.


To learn more about the TRIO Johnson Scholars Program opportunities, call or email Admissions at (207) 778-7050 or umfadmit@maine.edu Visit the TRIO Johnson Scholars Program website at www.umf.maine.edu/majors-academics/johnson-scholars-program.

National Student Exchange Program

National Student Exchange Program

Farmington is a member of the National Student Exchange program, which enables you to study for a semester or academic year at another participating college or university in the United States or Canada. Nearly 170 different institutions in 49 states, the District of Columbia, 3 U.S. territories, and 4 Canadian provinces participate in this program. Students pay their regular tuition and fees to UMF and room and board to the host campus. For more information, visit the Office of International and Exchange Programs website at http://www2.umf.maine.edu/international/national/ 

Study/Intern/Teach Abroad

Study/Intern/Teach Abroad

UMF sponsors the following study abroad programs:

Semester in China

For students with at least one year of college-level Chinese language, study is available in two locations:

  • Beijing: Study Chinese Language and Culture at Beijing University of Technology, a 20,000 student university of science, engineering and management.

 

Semester in France

For students with intermediate to advanced French language proficiency, opportunities to study in a variety of academic areas are available in two locations:

  • Le Mans: Le Mans Université, a 7,500 student campus situated on the Sarthe river, is located about an hour by train from Paris.

 

Additional Study Abroad Opportunities

Farmington students also have the opportunity to study abroad through provider programs in many other countries such as Ireland, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Japan, Scotland, Ecuador, Poland, Hungary, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand and more.

Intern Abroad

Opportunities to complete an internship abroad are available for several majors and in a variety of locations.

Student Teach Abroad

Elementary and Secondary Education majors may be eligible to participate in the student teach abroad program for their final teaching experience. Currently, we offer this opportunity in Hong Kong and South Korea.

For information on any of these opportunities, visit the Office of Global Education http://www2.umf.maine.edu/international

3 plus 3 Accelerated Pre-Law Program

The 3+3 Accelerated Pre-Law program is designed to allow you to earn both a Bachelor’s degree at UMF and Law degree from the University of Maine School of Law in just six years instead of seven. 

In this accelerated program, you’ll bypass your final year at UMF and enroll directly in the University of Maine School of Law in Portland. After you successfully complete your first year of law school, you’ll automatically receive 32 credits worth of General Electives that will be counted towards your Bachelor’s degree (in whatever major you had chosen) at UMF.

This program allows you to not only save a year’s worth of UMF tuition and fees, but you’ll be able to enter the legal profession a year earlier than students not enrolled in the program. This is especially valuable given the impending shortage of attorneys in many parts of Maine.

 

What You’ll Do in Years 1-3 at UMF

  • Complete all but 32 credit hours of an approved Bachelor’s degree program (including all major requirements and all General Education requirements) by the end of your third year
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.5
  • Complete all required Law School application materials by April 1 of your junior year
  • Be in good academic standing at UMF upon completion of your junior year
  • Meet the standards for the character and fitness portion of the UMaine Law School application
  • Submit a letter of recommendation from the UMF Accelerated Pre-Law Program Coordinator with your Law School application
  • Achieve an LSAT score that is no lower than the current median LSAT score, as posted on the University of Maine School of Law website

In Years 4-6 at Maine Law

In your first year at Maine Law, you’ll take the following courses that will count toward your UMF degree:

  • Civil Procedure
  • Criminal Law
  • Property
  • Torts
  • Constitutional Law
  • Contracts
  • Legal Research and Writing

To complete your J.D. degree, you’ll take all of the other required coursework at Maine Law in years five and six.

3 plus 3 Chiropractic Program

The University of Maine at Farmington’s 3 + 3 agreement with Logan University offers a quicker and more affordable pathway to becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic.

You complete the first 3 years of undergraduate study at UMF (considered your “home institution”) then transfer to Logan University to begin your Doctor of Chiropractic Degree Program where you’ll complete the remaining requirements in just 3 years — a total of 6 years rather than 7.

This unique fast-track arrangement saves you both time and money. The concurrent enrollment in basic science coursework satisfies the academic requirements for both your Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Maine at Farmington and your Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Logan University.

Located in Chesterfield, Missouri, Logan University blends tradition and innovation. Since 1935, Logan has had a long, well-established reputation in the chiropractic profession. Logan was founded on chiropractic care providing the health consumer with a viable choice to traditional medicine.

Logan University’s model is a non-drug, non-invasive form of care. It’s based on the relationship between the structure and function of the human body. This includes the ability of the body to heal itself naturally given the right circumstances. Logan graduates recognize and embrace the fact that chiropractic care plays a significant role in managing this nation’s $80 billion back pain epidemic.

3 plus 2 Psychology Counseling Program

A collaboration between the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine, the Counseling 3+2 — Psychology program provides you with an accelerated pathway to a career in the counseling field.

Interested in a career in Counseling? Want to fast-track your college degree(s) with a focused program of study? Have the motivation, compassion and maturity to jump-start your career path in counseling? If so, the University of Maine at Farmington Counseling 3+2 — Psychology program may be perfect for you.

In this program, you earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) followed by a Master of Science in Counseling at the University of Southern Maine (USM) — all in five years instead of six.

  • 3 yrs – B.A. in Psychology at the University of Maine at Farmington
  • 2 yrs – M.S. in Counseling at the University of Southern Maine

This allows you to graduate ahead of time while preparing you for a professional career where you can help meet Maine’s growing mental health needs.

Counselors help individuals, families, and groups with mental health challenges, such as depression and PTSD; drug and alcohol abuse; life transitions, such as adjusting to college; and other difficult life situations.

At the University of Maine at Farmington

You will work to meet all requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at Farmington in three years, gaining practical skills through counseling courses, an interactive, discussion-based seminar each semester, mentorship, experience in the field and collaboration with peers.

As part of your Psychology degree at Farmington, you will fulfill the requirements for the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Community (MHRT/C) certification, allowing you to gain practical work experience while pursuing you Master’s degree in Counseling at the University of Southern Maine.

In you third year at UMF, a streamlined grad school application process will pave the way to help you gain early acceptance to the University of Southern Maine’s Master of Science in Counseling program.*

At the University of Southern Maine

At the University of Southern Maine you can choose a track in:

Mental Health Counseling prepares you for licensure as a counselor (LCPC or LPC) while School Counseling prepares you for certification in School Counseling with the option of pursuing additional coursework to earn licensure (many students choose to earn this after they graduate while they are working in the field).

* Note: Participation in this 3 + 2 Program does not guarantee admission to the M.S. program at USM. Also, you are not required to pursue graduate school at USM.

3 plus 2 Rehabilitation Services Counseling Program

The University of Maine at Farmington’s 3 + 2 agreement with the University of Southern Maine offers an accelerated and more affordable pathway to earning a Master of Science in Counseling degree.

With a shortage of counselors across the nation, the new 3+2 Counseling (B.S. to M.S.) program offered collaboratively between the University of Maine at Farmington and the University of Southern Maine lets you complete your Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in just 5 years, rather than the typical 6 – allowing you to work in the counseling field helping individuals with disabilities one year sooner and one year less expensive.

The Accelerated Pathway to a Master’s Degree in Counseling

You complete the first 3 years of undergraduate study at UMF, where you earn a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services, then move on to the University of Southern Maine to begin your M.S. in Counseling program, where you’ll complete the remaining requirements in just 2 years — a total of 5 years rather than 6.

This unique fast-track arrangement saves you both time and money, allowing you to pursue your dream of becoming a counselor quicker — and more affordably.

A Career Focused on Helping Others

If you want to help individuals with autism, veterans with PTSD, persons with brain injuries, or others, then this is the program for you. Some of the settings our graduates may work in include: alcohol and drug treatment facilities, counseling agencies, correctional facilities, employee assistance programs, independent living programs, mental health centers, public and private rehabilitation programs, university offices for students with disabilities, and more.

In the Counseling 3+2 program you’ll complete a short candidacy application during your second year at UMF.

This early application process allows you to gain acceptance through a streamlined graduate application process in your senior year. With your bachelor’s degree, you may apply for the Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician Community (MHRT/C) certification, allowing you to gain practical experience in the field while earning your Master’s degree.

At the University of Maine at Farmington

In years one through three at UMF, you’ll take coursework to satisfy the academic requirements for your Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation Services as you gain practical skills with three field experiences, including a full-time 450-hour internship. This also helps you explore different populations you may wish to work with.

At the University of Southern Maine

At the University of Southern Maine you can choose a track in:

Then in years four and five at USM, you gain advanced expertise and valuable hands-on experiences in your Master of Science in Counseling program providing counseling services in your practicum and internship, under the supervision of faculty and experienced agency professionals with appropriate licenses or certifications.

Upon graduation, you will earn your Master’s of Science degree in Counseling and can qualify for both state licensing for counseling and national certification for rehabilitation counseling, making you highly employable in many settings.

All students will be required to take the National Counselor Exam (NCE) and the international Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) examinations in order to acquire state counseling licensure and national CRC certification.

Some students may customize their internship to work with individuals in the substance abuse field and may also qualify to take the national Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) examination to become licensed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

Your advisor will work with you to ensure that you can be licensure-eligible and can pursue certain specialty areas.

With national accreditation from Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP) and the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), the UMF / USM Counseling 3+2 program upholds the highest academic standards and allows for ease in licensure.

4 plus 1 Accelerated Masters Degree in Special Educationll

4 plus 1 Accelerated Masters Degree in Special Education

The Master of Science in Special Education (MSEd) is designed to provide students with more depth and breadth in the field of Inclusive Special Education. The 4+1 Accelerated Program, using a blended (face-to-face and online) delivery model, offers multiple pathways to earn a master’s degree, including various high-need specialization areas and certification options. Delivered by expert faculty, the program curriculum prepares highly qualified Inclusive Education Leaders.

UMF Special Education major or minor students (with a minimum of 4 SED credits with a minimum grade of B) are eligible to apply for the UMF 4+1 (accelerated) MSEd in Special Education once they have earned a minimum of 76 credits and have no more than three semesters or no less than one semester remaining of their undergraduate degree program. At that time, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.000.

During the final semester of a bachelor’s degree program, the MSEd in Special Education candidate’s program will be audited to confirm that he or she has met all requirements of the degree and has a cumulative GPA of 3.000. Upon official conferment of the UMF undergraduate degree, the candidate will receive notification of formal acceptance into the MSEd in Special Education program from the UMF Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

UMF undergraduate students provisionally accepted into UMF’s accelerated master’s degree in Special Education may enroll in a maximum of 12 graduate credits prior to earning their bachelor's degree. These 12 credits must apply to graduation requirements for the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

UMF Special Education Major and Minor students who take a designated UMF 4-credit 400-level course that counts toward their undergraduate degree may transfer the course as a 3-credit corresponding 500-level graduate course that will count toward the MSEd degree in Special Education. A maximum of two approved 400-level undergraduate courses may be transferred as 500-level graduate courses.


To transfer a 400-level course as a 500-level course into the MSEd in Special Education, all the following criteria must be met:

  • The student is provisionally accepted into the MSEd in Special Education program.
  • The student must declare the designated 400-level course before the course start date (or within the scheduled add/drop period) for it to be considered as a transfer course at the 500-level
  • The student earned a minimum grade of B in the course.
  • The credits transfer once the student officially graduates with a UMF bachelor's degree and is formally matriculated into the MSEd in Special Education program.
  • A maximum of two approved 400-level courses may be transferred as 500-level courses and will count as 3 to 6 credits of   those 12 graduate credits.

 Graduate Catalog

1 plus 3 Maine Engineering Pathway

UMF has partnered with the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine to form the Maine Engineering Pathways Program (MEPP).  This program typically involves one year of study at UMF, where the student primarily takes foundational mathematics, science, and general education courses, followed by three years of study at the University of Maine or the University of Southern Maine to complete an engineering degree in select engineering disciplines.  For more information, contact Dr. Allen Bailey, Associate Professor of Mathematics.

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