University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy Addressed a Group at the University of Maine Portland Campus a Few Years Ago. A Democrat, he Served as Governor of Connecticut, from 2011 – 2019. He Became Chancellor Here in Maine in July of 2019l
The University of Maine System (UMS) Trustees recently approved six new online degree programs that will grow the Maine workforce and access to affordable, high-quality degree programs and career advancement in high-demand fields, including early childhood education, human services, medical laboratory science and homeland security.
The UMS Board of Trustees approved the following new degree programs, all of which will be offered entirely online so they are accessible to busy working adults:
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education (University of Maine at Presque Isle); Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (University of Maine at Augusta and UMP); Master of Science in Homeland Security (University of Maine at Fort Kent); Master of Arts in American Studies (UMP); Assosciate of Arts in Human Services (UMP): and Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education (UMP).
UMP’s new associate and bachelor’s degree programs in early chldhood education will launch later this fall with existing faculty and courses and be delivered through its competency-based YourPace platform which allows learners to advance as they demonstrate mastery of knowledge and skills.
As part of a coordinated System effort to solve critical childcare shortages statewide that are limiting parents’ participation in the workforce, UMPI”s new degrees wll provide a 2+2 option for Northern Maine Community College students and complement existing high-quality UMS early childlhood education offerings. These are led by the University of Maine at Farmington, which offers in-person early childhood education undergraduate programs on campus, a blended (in-person and online) undergraduate program at Southern Maine Community College, a blended master’s program and an apprenticeship pathway. Early chldhood education concentrations and certiicates are additionally available through UMaine and UMA,
“The Board appreciates that our public universities are being creative in building upon their signature strengths and existing resources to meet educational employer needs in the state. As more online options emerge in our System, the Board discussed the need to avoid competition and maximize cooperation among our UMS universities and that will be an ongoing focus of our review and approval of new programs in the future,” said Trustee Chair Trish Riley.
“While no single institution has the capacity to fully address the state’s workforce needs, by partnering across Maine’s public universities and leveraging the tool of technology and our innovative unified accreditation, the University of Maine System is the state’s leading source of talent and opportunity,” said Chancellor Dannel Malloy. “These new online programs reflect our collective commitment to advancing Mainers’ upward mobility and our state’s workforce and economy through affordabe, flexible pathways to in-demand degrees.”