YourPace English

Discover our 100% online English Degrees

At the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), our YourPace BA in English program with a Professional Communication & Journalism Concentration delivers a targeted, career-driven curriculum designed for today’s fast-paced, professional world. This fully online degree empowers you to develop advanced communication and writing skills that are highly sought after in a range of industries, including journalism, marketing, public relations, and digital media.

Our program combines the rich tradition of English studies with practical, hands-on learning. You’ll strengthen your ability to write clearly, communicate effectively, and analyze critically, preparing you to succeed in a variety of professional settings. Through competency-based education, you’ll work at your own pace to master coursework tailored to real-world applications, including:

Professional and Creative Writing
Business and Marketing Communication
Research and Source Evaluation
Digital and Media Content Creation

Whether you aim to craft persuasive marketing materials, manage brand messaging as a public relations specialist, or develop engaging content as a writer or journalist, the Professional Communication & Journalism Concentration equips you with the tools to excel. This program allows you to build a strong portfolio of work, demonstrating your ability to communicate clearly, compellingly, and ethically across diverse audiences and platforms.

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What Is Competency-Based Education?

Designed to leverage your previous knowledge, college coursework, and work experience, competency-based education enables you to earn your degree at your pace as you demonstrate mastery of relevant academic content.

How our YourPace online programs save you time and money:

Prove your knowledge, move ahead—the faster you advance, the more you save
Flat tuition rate per 8-week session, no matter how many courses you complete
With no weekly deadlines, you control the speed of completion*

*Time to completion varies by student and is based on several factors including prior college coursework, relevant work experience, amount of time dedicated to studying, and the number of courses completed each session.

Upcoming Session Dates

The Dates YourPace Students need to know

There are six opportunities throughout the year to begin our YourPace online program. Find the start date below that works best for you and apply before the application deadline. Please note, application and document deadlines are the same. UMPI must receive all documents including official transcripts by the document deadline to be considered. Transcripts can often take 10 or more business days from the request date to be received by UMPI, please plan accordingly.

Term	APP DEADLINE	DOCUMENT DEADLINE	CONFIRMATION DEADLINE	REGISTRATION DEADLINE	TUITION DEADLINE	START DATE	CLASS END DATE	Term Length
Spring 2	02/07/25	02/18/25	02/25/25	03/04/25	03/06/25	03/10/25	05/02/25	8 weeks
Summer 1	04/11/25	04/22/25	04/29/25	05/06/25	05/08/25	05/12/25	07/03/25	8 weeks
Summer 2	06/06/25	06/17/25	06/24/25	07/01/25	07/03/25	07/07/25	08/29/25	8 weeks
Fall 1	08/01/25	08/12/25	08/19/25	08/26/25	08/28/25	09/02/25	10/24/25	8 weeks
Fall 2	09/26/25	10/07/25	10/14/25	10/21/25	10/23/25	10/27/25	12/19/25	8 weeks
Spring 1	12/12/25	12/23/25	12/30/25	01/06/26	01/08/26	01/12/26	03/06/26	8 weeks

YourPace English Program Offerings

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers a range of English programs in the YourPace modality designed to match your career goals. With flexible options and expert faculty, we provide the tools and support you need to succeed in the competitive field. Explore our program offerings below and find the perfect pathway to build your future in English.

Gain insights into our online B.A. in English – Professional Communication & Journalism degree

The YourPace online Bachelor of Arts in English – Professional Communication & Journalism Concentration program shapes you into a strong communicator, and helps you gain mobility in your career. Designed to fortify your ability to write and speak clearly, convincingly, and compellingly, this accredited online program prepares you for success in a vast array of professional and academic settings.

As an student, you will develop the in-demand leadership and advanced business communication skills that all employers seek. Our competency-based online coursework is uniquely structured to ensure you get valuable experiences and build an impressive portfolio that includes popular communication, professional and creative writing, literary and film analysis, as well as graphic design.

In this professional communication and journalism online program, you will learn to:

Communicate effectively in written and oral forms as appropriate to purpose, audience, and genre.
Conduct research, evaluate and utilize sources effectively.
Demonstrate practical application of coursework and engage in meaningful reflection.
Show professional and ethical responsibility within the field.
Successfully utilize principles of professional team building.
Successfully market, advocate, persuade, and produce evidence-based communication.

Career opportunities include:

Social Media Manager
Marketing Manager
Public Relations Specialist
Editor
Content Manager
Freelance Writer
Journalist
Communication Manager
Teacher
Writer & Author

In-person English Program Options

Not interested in the YourPace modality?
We offer multiple on-campus in-person English pathways to degree completion.

English Program Offerings

Get Published

Upcountry is a literary journal published by UMPI. It showcases a diverse range of creative works, including poetry, short stories, essays, and visual art, contributed by students, faculty, and writers from the broader community. The journal aims to celebrate and promote literary and artistic expression, providing a platform for emerging and established voices alike. Through its annual publication, Upcountry fosters a vibrant literary culture within UMPI and the surrounding region, highlighting the unique perspectives and talents of its contributors.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace English Online Program offers an affordable flat tuition rate, ensuring you pay the same amount per session regardless of how many courses you complete. With no hidden fees or additional textbook costs, this flexible competency based education program allows you to save more the faster you finish. Whether you’re looking to accelerate your degree or complete courses at your own pace, you’ll benefit from transparent pricing and a cost-effective learning experience through the University of Maine at Presque Isle.

**Tuition and fees are subject to change

Tuition breakdown:

$1,700 per session**

Flat-Rate Tuition

Frequently Asked YourPace English Questions

The University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) offers the YourPace program, a competency-based education (CBE) model designed to provide flexible, self-paced learning for adult learners. This approach allows students to progress through their coursework by demonstrating mastery of specific competencies rather than adhering to a traditional semester schedule. Below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the YourPace English program and competency-based education at UMPI:

The YourPace English program offers flexibility for working professionals, allowing them to balance their studies with personal and professional commitments. Students can leverage prior knowledge and experience to progress more quickly, potentially reducing the time and cost required to earn a degree.

Student progress is assessed through various methods that require students to demonstrate their competence in specific areas. This may include projects, exams, presentations, or other assessments relevant to the competencies being measured.

DFAS has in recent years become the major employer of UMPI graduates. In addition to DFAS, most of the larger employers in the area (hospitals and allied UMPI provides a range of support services for YourPace students, including academic advising, tutoring, and access to online resources. Faculty members are available to offer guidance and feedback throughout the learning process.

Graduates of the YourPace English program can pursue various careers, including social media manager, marketing manager, public relations specialist, editor, content manager, freelance writer, journalist, communication manager, teacher, writer, and author.

Have questions or need more information about competency based education?

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Ready to take the next step toward earning your degree online from UMPI?

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UMPI is ranked as one of the top 10 Regional Colleges in the North for graduates with least debt—UMPI is the top institution in Maine and all of New England to appear on this list. – U.S. News & World Report, 2024.

EXPECT to Finish at YourPace

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YourPace Admissions

Requirements for these English program offerings

We’ve made the admission process simple and streamlined so it’s easier for you to get started. Those interested in earning their competency based education degree in English should have the equivalent of a high school diploma and possess some prior college credit and/or work experience.

Admission Requirements:

No Application Fee

Minimum 1.75 GPA

Admissions Requirements and Guidelines for Undergraduate Programs

Students must be 20 years of age at the time of application.
High school diploma or equivalent (e.g., HiSet, GED)
Minimum cumulative college of GPA 1.75 from most recently attended institution
- Submission of all official transcripts:Transcripts are only considered official if they are sent directly to UMPI from the granting institution or their electronic ordering service. Student-submitted transcripts are not accepted.
Students who do not have any college credits must submit the following:
- Provide high school transcript, high school equivalency test (HiSet), or GED

Instructions for international students:

All international transcripts will only be accepted if the student provides them through an evaluation service. The evaluation agency must be a member of NACES or AICE. We will not accept unofficial copies (e.g., from the student)
Canadian schools and universities from a French-only institution (mostly in the province of Quebec) must be evaluated
International students are required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from an English language proficiency test taken no more than two-years prior to date of application

Additional guidelines for international applicants may be found here.

Please Note: Student under 20 years of age do not meet the requirements for the YourPace programs. We do offer other programs that may meet your needs. If you would like more information about our traditional programs, please visit https://www.umpi.edu/admissions/. You can also reach out to the Admissions Office at umpi-admissions@maine.edu or by calling 207.768.9433.

Institutions and third-party vendors may submit official documents such as official transcripts and English proficiency exam score reports to: edocs@maine.edu

Mailing Address:

Application Processing Center
PO Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

YourPace English Courses

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace English Program is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s dynamic landscape. Select the tab below to explore the degree option that aligns with your goals and start building a strong foundation for your future success.

Professional Communication & Journalism Concentration, BA

Gain expertise in these online English classes

UMPI’s YourPace Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program with a concentration in Professional Communication & Journalism offers a flexible, fully online pathway for students to build expertise in media writing, digital storytelling, and public relations. This program focuses on communication strategies, journalism ethics, and multimedia content creation, preparing students for careers in media, corporate communication, or public affairs.

The innovative YourPace model allows students to progress at their own speed, incorporating prior learning and professional experience into their degree plan. Develop the skills to thrive in today’s fast-paced media landscape with UMPI’s Professional Communication & Journalism concentration.

To earn your B.A. in English – Professional Communication & Journalism, you need to complete 120 credit hours of coursework. Each course is built around a series of competencies. Once you have mastered the series, you complete the course. Using our personalized learning model, we look at your past college credit, prior learning, and work experience to create your custom degree plan.

View Course Catalog YourPace Course Search

NECHE

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).

University of Maine System

UMPI is a respected member of the University of Maine System.

C-BEN

UMPI is proud to be a member institution in the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN).

What can you do with a degree in Professional Communication?

Next Step: Admissions

We’re so excited that you’re considering the University of Maine at Presque Isle! As a student at UMPI, we want your experience to be anything but ordinary! So what makes UMPI extraordinary? Our Learning Environment, Our Student Engagement and Our Location!

No matter what stage of life you are in, we can help you take the plunge into higher education and put you on YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS!

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