YourPace Social Studies

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The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s (UMPI) YourPace Program is transforming the way students achieve their academic goals. Designed for busy professionals and students seeking flexibility, YourPace provides an affordable, self-paced online education tailored to fit your schedule and career aspirations. Whether you’re advancing in your current field, transitioning into a new industry, or completing a degree you’ve put on hold, YourPace is here to meet your needs.

Now, YourPace offers the opportunity to complement your studies with minors in Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) and Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS). These minors are perfect for those who want to deepen their skill sets, broaden their academic horizons, or enhance their resumes with specialized knowledge.

By pursuing these minors, you gain access to a robust curriculum designed to help you thrive in today’s dynamic job market. The BAS minor emphasizes practical, career-focused learning for technical and applied fields, while the BLS minor equips you with interdisciplinary skills like critical thinking and effective communication, which are essential for success in diverse careers.

At UMPI, we believe education should empower you to reach your full potential without compromising your lifestyle. With YourPace, you have the freedom to study on your terms, earn your degree faster, and save money along the way. Take the next step in your educational journey and discover how the BAS and BLS minors can help you achieve your goals.

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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 Social Studies Program Offerings

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers multiple Social Studies offerings 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 Social Studies.

Earn Your BAS with a Social Studies Minor – Flexible, Affordable, and Career-Ready

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace program offers a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) with a Minor in Social Studies, providing a flexible and affordable pathway for professionals seeking to advance their careers while deepening their understanding of societal systems, history, and cultural dynamics. Designed for individuals with technical or applied experience, this accredited online program builds on your existing skills and knowledge while expanding your academic foundation.

The Social Studies Minor explores essential topics like U.S. and world history, geography, government, and economics, giving you a well-rounded perspective that can enhance leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. Ideal for professionals in education, community leadership, or public service, this minor equips you with the analytical, research, and communication skills needed to excel in today’s complex professional environments.

Through UMPI’s YourPace competency-based format, you can move at your pace, leveraging prior experience to advance quickly while focusing on new areas of learning. Whether you’re seeking to advance in your current role, transition into teaching or public administration, or prepare for further studies, the BAS with a Social Studies Minor offers a clear and practical path forward.

Take the next step toward professional growth and career success with the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s BAS with a Minor in Social Studies.

Earn Your BLS with a Social Studies Minor Online – Flexible, Affordable, and Career-Focused

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace program offers a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) with a Minor in Social Studies, providing a flexible, affordable, and engaging way to broaden your knowledge of society, history, and human interactions. As part of the University of Maine System, this accredited online program combines a strong liberal studies foundation with focused coursework in social studies, preparing students for careers in education, public service, and beyond.

The Social Studies Minor explores critical topics like U.S. and world history, geography, government, and economics, equipping students with a well-rounded perspective on societal structures and cultural dynamics. This minor is ideal for individuals interested in teaching, public policy, community leadership, or simply gaining a deeper understanding of the forces that shape our world.

With UMPI’s YourPace competency-based format, you can move through the program at your pace, leveraging prior knowledge to advance faster while mastering new concepts at a pace that works for you. Graduates gain strong analytical, research, and communication skills, positioning them for success in a variety of professional roles or as preparation for graduate studies.

Elevate your education and expand your horizons with the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s BLS with a Minor in Social Studies.

In-person Social Studies Program Options

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

In-person Social Studies Program

Faculty with Real-World Experience

Our Social Studies faculty combine extensive real-world experience with academic excellence to prepare you for success in education, public service, law, and beyond. Their diverse expertise in history, political science, geography, and economics ensures a comprehensive learning experience, while opportunities for hands-on projects and community engagement help you apply your knowledge in meaningful ways. With personalized mentorship and a focus on practical skills, you’ll graduate ready to make an impact in your chosen field.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Social Studies 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 Social Studies Questions

Absolutely! The Social Studies minor is designed to pair seamlessly with many majors, such as education, history, or political science, to enhance your academic and career opportunities.

You’ll develop critical thinking, analytical, and research skills, along with a deep understanding of historical and social contexts. These skills are valuable in careers ranging from teaching and law to public administration and business.

The Social Studies Program prepares students for careers in education, public service, law, journalism, nonprofit management, and more. It also provides an excellent foundation for graduate or law school.

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 social studies 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 Social Studies 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 Social Studies Courses

The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s YourPace Social Studies Program is designed to provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in today’s dynamic financial 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.

Social Studies Minor, BAS
Social Studies Minor, BLS

Social Studies, B.A.S. Minor

UMPI’s YourPace Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) program with a Social Studies Minor equips students with practical insights into history, government, and social systems. This minor is designed to build critical thinking and research skills, making it ideal for careers in public administration, education, or nonprofit management.

The YourPace model allows students to progress through the Social Studies Minor at their own speed, integrating prior learning and professional experience. Expand your career opportunities with this dynamic and customizable minor.

View Course Catalog YourPace Course Search

Social Studies, B.L.S. Minor

UMPI’s YourPace Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) program with a Social Studies Minor provides students with a comprehensive understanding of history, geography, government, and sociology. This minor emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills, preparing students for roles in education, public service, or community outreach.

With UMPI’s flexible YourPace model, students can complete the Social Studies Minor at their own speed, tailoring their education to meet their goals. Gain the knowledge and skills to make an impact in diverse professional settings with this versatile minor.

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 minor in Social Studies?

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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