The first early-college, distance education program in Maine, the University of Maine Academ-e Program offers courses for university credit to Maine high school juniors & seniors through internet-based "online" technologies. Academ-e consists of courses representing five broad areas: mathematics, sciences, arts, humanities and social sciences. Through nominations by high school principals, guidance counselors and teachers, all Maine high schools are eligible to have students enroll in the Academ-e on a first-come, first-served basis. Academ-e courses will carry University of Maine credit and students will establish a UMaine transcript enabling them to apply their credit hours to a UMaine degree program or to other colleges and universities into which they will eventually matriculate. It is expected that students will receive dual credits (i.e., both high school and university credit). Courses are offered in an asynchronous online environment and consequently are not dictated by pre-set University or high school schedules. Students study and learn in a location and time of their choosing (e.g., school, home, library, UMS campus, etc.) that allows access to the internet based courses any time during the day, evenings or weekends. Courses are also designed to ensure adequate student and faculty interaction while accommodating students’ schedules and personal circumstances.
