YourPace Education

Discover our 100% online Education Degrees

The UMPI YourPace Education Program offers flexible, fully online pathways designed for busy learners who want to advance their careers in education at their own pace. Through our innovative YourPace platform, we provide two distinct programs: the Educational Studies BAS Minor and the Educational Studies BLS Minor. Both programs combine theory and practice to prepare learners for diverse education-related roles, offering a flexible alternative to traditional classroom-based degrees.

The Educational Studies BAS Minor is ideal for individuals pursuing careers in non-traditional educational settings, administrative support roles, or youth development programs. Similarly, the Educational Studies BLS Minor provides a strong foundation for those seeking broad educational knowledge with applications across multiple industries.

With self-paced courses, affordable tuition, and full online accessibility, YourPace allows you to:

Earn credits for what you already know through competency-based learning.
Study anywhere, anytime—on a schedule that works for you.
Gain practical, career-relevant knowledge to expand opportunities in education-related fields.

As part of the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s accredited offerings, the YourPace program ensures you receive a high-quality, flexible education that supports your personal and professional goals. Start your journey with UMPI today and take control of your future with YourPace Educational Studies.

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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 Education Program Offerings

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers a range of education 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 of education. Explore our program offerings below and find the perfect pathway to build your future in education.

Learn What Our Online Bachelor of Applied Science – Educational Studies Minor Program Offers

The online Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) – Educational Studies Minor YourPace program is designed for individuals with technical, professional, or applied work experience who are ready to take the next step in their careers. This program allows you to build on your existing skills while gaining educational expertise to prepare learners for success in diverse settings. With personalized support from your academic advisor and faculty, you can leverage prior work experience and credits toward your UMPI online degree.

This flexible and affordable program focuses on practical, real-world learning tailored to professionals looking to advance in education-related fields or expand career opportunities. Through 100% online coursework, you will explore essential topics such as effective lesson planning, classroom management strategies, and integrating creative, playful learning approaches into literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. Special emphasis is placed on understanding learning differences and behavioral challenges to better support students in inclusive settings.

The BAS – Educational Studies Minor program equips you with the knowledge and skills employers value, preparing you for leadership and support roles in education and beyond.

Career opportunities include:

Training and Development Specialist
Educational Program Coordinator
Community Education Manager
Workforce Development Instructor
Corporate Learning Specialist
Technical Training Facilitator
Youth Program Director
Early Childhood Education (Non-Certificate)
Paraprofessional/Education Technician

Whether you’re advancing within your current career or pivoting to an education-related field, the YourPace BAS – Educational Studies Minor gives you the tools to succeed—on a schedule that works for you.

Learn what our online Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Educational Studies Minor program offers

The online Bachelor of Liberal Studies – Educational Studies Minor program gives you the opportunity to pursue a broad range of interests while working toward your goal of being equipped to prepare learners for success. You will work closely with your academic advisor and faculty to determine if your work history and previous college experience count toward your UMPI online degree.

This accredited online educational program is a flexible, affordable path that prepares you to advance into higher positions within schools and other organizations. You will learn the most effective and efficient classroom management strategies, techniques for planning lessons, and how to incorporate playful learning to literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies. You will also spend time focusing on the nature and characteristics of learning differences and behavioral problems of students with special needs who participate in a general education classroom. Coursework is 100% online, and experiential learning activities provide you with the expertise employers seek.

Career opportunities include:

Children and Community Outreach
Literacy Program Development
Youth Leadership Program Manager
Tutor
At-Risk Program Manager
Early Childhood Education (Non-Certificate)
School Administration
School Board Member
Daycare Administration
Paraprofessional/Education Technician

In-person Education Program Options

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

In-Person Education Program Offerings

Teacher Certification Pathways

At UMPI, we offer several different pathways for you to become a certified teacher in Maine. In addition to the traditional pathway of a standard four-year Bachelor of Science in Education degree, we offer multiple YourPace pathways aligned with State of Maine teacher certification requirements. This allows for you to pursue initial or additional certifications at your convenience, while receiving support and guidance from us along the way

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Education 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 Education Questions

We will:

Discuss your goals and desired certifications
Provide you with potential degree options through UMPI both on-site and online.
Connect you with Admissions

Talk to us about class and training options to get recertified or to add a certification.

To get started, call Courtney Boma at 207-768-9437 or email courtney.boma@maine.edu.

We will:

Refer you to the MDoE Initial Teacher Certification website so you can apply for your certification
Request a copy of your MDoE Evaluation
Schedule a meeting (phone or in person) to review evaluation with you
Explain what classes meet the needs indicated on the evaluation
Create a map for completion
Explain the Financial Aid options
Direct you to Student Records for course enrollment

Have questions or need more information about competency based education?

Request Info

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

Undergrad Apply

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

YourPace Courses Success Coach Center for Innovative Learning

YourPace Admissions

Requirements for these education 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 Education 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 Education Courses

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

Educational Studies Minor, BAS
Educational Studies Minor, BLS

Educational Studies, B.A.S. Minor

UMPI’s YourPace Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.S.) program with a Minor in Educational Studies is designed for students seeking to expand their knowledge of teaching and learning processes. This minor emphasizes practical applications of educational theories, preparing students to make an impact in diverse educational environments.

The Educational Studies Minor complements the B.A.S. program by integrating coursework in child development, classroom strategies, and educational psychology. This combination equips students with the skills to pursue roles in education-related fields, such as corporate training, nonprofit program management, or community education.

With the flexible YourPace model, students can tailor their learning experience to align with their goals, incorporating prior work experience and academic credits into a personalized degree path.

To earn your BLS – Educational Studies Minor, 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.

Educational Studies Minor- 21 Credit Hours

View Course Catalog YourPace Course Search

Educational Studies, B.L.S. Minor

UMPI’s YourPace Bachelor of Liberal Studies (B.L.S.) program with a Minor in Educational Studies provides students with a strong foundation in teaching principles, learning methodologies, and educational systems. This minor is ideal for those interested in exploring careers in education, curriculum development, or youth advocacy.

The Educational Studies Minor within the B.L.S. program emphasizes critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovative approaches to education. Students gain insights into the social and psychological aspects of learning, preparing them for roles that demand strong leadership and communication skills.

Leveraging the YourPace model, students can complete the minor at their own pace, customizing their academic journey to fit their personal and professional ambitions. Whether enhancing their current role or preparing for graduate studies, the Educational Studies Minor offers a flexible and enriching pathway to success.

Educational Studies Minor- 21 Credit Hours

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 Education?

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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