YourPace Professional Communication & Journalism

Your Pathway to a Future in Communication Excellence

Are you ready to transform your passion for writing and communication into a rewarding career? At the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI), we offer a unique online Bachelor of Arts in English with a concentration in Professional Communication & Journalism. Designed for working professionals, busy students, and anyone eager to advance their education on their own terms, this program blends flexibility, affordability, and high academic standards.

This degree goes beyond traditional English studies, focusing on the practical application of communication skills in professional settings. Whether your goals include writing compelling stories, managing corporate communications, engaging audiences through digital marketing, or building a career in journalism, this program equips you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to succeed. With UMPI’s innovative YourPace program, you can complete your degree faster, saving both time and money while achieving your personal and professional aspirations.

At UMPI, we understand that life doesn’t pause for education. That’s why our fully online program allows you to learn anytime, anywhere—empowering you to balance your studies with work, family, and other commitments. Join a supportive community of learners, benefit from expert faculty guidance, and graduate with the skills and credentials to stand out in today’s competitive job market.

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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 Professional Communication & Journalism Program Offerings

The University of Maine at Presque Isle offers a Professional Communication & Journalism program 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 Communication & Journalism.

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 Professional Communication & Journalism Program Options

Not interested in the YourPace modality?
We offer on-campus in-person Professional Communication & Journalism pathways to degree completion.

In-person Professional Communication & Journalism Program

Be a Reporter

The University Times is the student-run newspaper at UMPI, providing a platform for students to engage in journalism and share news relevant to the campus community. The publication covers a wide range of topics, including university events, student life, academic achievements, sports, and issues of broader societal interest. As a learning resource, it offers students practical experience in writing, editing, and media production, while fostering a sense of community and keeping the university’s population informed and connected.

YourPace Tuition

Learn more about our affordable tuition

The YourPace Professional Communication & Journalism 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 Professional Communication & Journalism Questions

The Professional Communication & Journalism concentration is a specialization within UMPI’s Bachelor of Arts in English program. It emphasizes developing advanced skills in writing, research, and communication tailored to professional and media contexts. This program prepares students for careers in journalism, public relations, digital marketing, and related fields.

Unlike traditional English programs that focus primarily on literature and theory, this concentration blends creative and professional communication with practical skills applicable to real-world scenarios. You’ll learn how to write for diverse audiences, master public relations strategies, and navigate the evolving digital media landscape.

Yes, UMPI’s Professional Communication & Journalism program is offered 100% online through the YourPace platform. This format provides flexibility for students to study at their own pace while balancing personal and professional responsibilities.

Students will gain expertise in:

Professional writing and editing
Public speaking and presentation skills
Research and critical analysis
Digital marketing and social media strategy
Journalism techniques, including investigative reporting
Ethical communication practices

These skills are highly sought after in a variety of industries.

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 Professional Communication & Journalism 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 Professional Communication & Journalism 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 & Journalism?

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!

Visit UMPI

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Submit the form below, and an Admissions Specialist will contact you to answer any questions.