UMaine Early College

UMaine Early College Designed to offer high school students reduced or free tuition toward University of Maine college courses. Get a head start now!

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, guidanc

e 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.

Pro-Tip for UMaine Early College Students: Master Instructor Communication! 🎓Got questions, scheduling conflicts, or nee...
08/27/2026

Pro-Tip for UMaine Early College Students: Master Instructor Communication! 🎓

Got questions, scheduling conflicts, or need an extension? Reaching out to your professors early is the #1 key to success in college. Here is how to handle it:

How to Find Your Instructor’s Contact Info
▪️Check ExplorEC: Look at your course application to find your instructor’s name.
▪️Use UMS Peoplesearch: Search their name in the directory to grab their primary email address.
▪️Check Your Syllabus: Once the semester kicks off, their contact info will be right at the top!
▪️Need Help? If no name is listed or you can't find them, reach out to us at [email protected].

Plan Ahead & Communicate Early: Planning a vacation? Need an assignment extension? Stuck on a research topic?
▪️ Reach out early: Instructors are often flexible when you give them advance notice, but rarely after a deadline has passed.
▪️In an emergency: Focus on your safety and well-being first! As soon as you're reasonably able, send a quick update to let them know what's going on and ask about potential accommodations.

Save this post for later, and don't be afraid to reach out to your professors—they're here to help you succeed!

Image Description: Graphic of student sending email over a white and light blue background. Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College logo. Important Early College Tip. Email your course instructor directly with questions about your Early College coursework! [email protected]. umaine.edu/earlycollege

Happy from the UMaine Early College team! 🐾💙You might recognize a familiar face hard at work... well, mostly supervisi...
08/27/2026

Happy from the UMaine Early College team! 🐾💙

You might recognize a familiar face hard at work... well, mostly supervising! Meet Romeo, our unofficial Early College Mascot and assistant to our Director. Whether he’s checking in on course registrations, meeting students at events, or offering moral support, Romeo makes sure our high schoolers are set up for Early College success. 🐾📚

To all our Early College students, drop a picture of your own study buddies in the comments below! Who helps you fetch those college credits? 🐶👇

Image Description: Small Chihuahua in a frog sweatshirt lays in dog bed. Blue dog paw with date Aug 26 on it. Embedded Text: Happy National Dog Day. University of Maine Early College Logo.

Important Reminder!If you have any questions before the start of the semester please reach out to our UMaine Early Colle...
08/20/2026

Important Reminder!
If you have any questions before the start of the semester please reach out to our UMaine Early College team! Contact us at:

[email protected]
207.581.8024

It is our goal to make your UMaine Early College experience a positive and successful one! Our team is always happy to help in whatever way we can so please don't hesitate to reach out.

Image Description: Contact photos of UMaine Early College team on a light blue background. Embedded Text: Questions? Contact the UMaine Early College Team. Kari Suderley. Allison Drinkwater. Seth Ordway. Adam Weyeneth. We're here to help! University of Maine Early College logo.

Important Reminder!Application Deadline for Regular Session Fall Courses is Monday, August 24!All Early College course a...
08/18/2026

Important Reminder!

Application Deadline for Regular Session Fall Courses is Monday, August 24!
All Early College course applications, approvals (Student Agreement, Parental Consent, Counselor Approval), and required prerequisite materials must be in at least a FULL WEEK before the course start date.

Additional Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Image of fall colored pine trees with mountains and sunrise in the background. Embedded Text: Important Reminder. Fall Course Application Deadline! August 24. University of Maine Early College logo.

Apply Now! Exciting Online Courses Still Available! ECO 120: Principles of Microeconomics3 Credits 8/31/26–12/11/26Princ...
08/17/2026

Apply Now! Exciting Online Courses Still Available!

ECO 120: Principles of Microeconomics
3 Credits
8/31/26–12/11/26
Principles of microeconomics and their application to economic issues and problems. Analysis of the economic decision-making of individuals and firms; markets and pricing; monopoly power; income distribution; the role of government intervention in markets.

ECO 121: Principles of Macroeconomics
3 Credits
8/31/26–12/11/26
Principles of macroeconomics and their application to modern economic issues and problems. Analysis of national income and employment; fluctuations in national income; monetary and fiscal policy; control of inflation, unemployment, and growth; and international aspects of macroeconomic performance.

Apply at
explorec.maine.edu

Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Images of student holding notebook and students looking down at work on a white background. Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College logo. Available fall courses. ECO 120: Principles of Microeconomics & ECO 121: Principles of Macroeconomics. 3 credits each. Online courses. 8/31/26–12/11/26. Contact Us. Email [email protected] Website umaine.edu/earlycollege

As a registered UMaine Early College student you can earn a verified micro-credential badge through your Brightspace acc...
08/13/2026

As a registered UMaine Early College student you can earn a verified micro-credential badge through your Brightspace account! Be sure to take advantage of this fantastic and free opportunity!

Career Prepared:
The UMS Career Prepared Micro-Credential is a structured, three-level program that guides you from exploration to real-world experience, equipping you with the practical skills and confidence employers seek. Upon completion, you’ll hold a micro-credential that signals to employers your commitment to continuous development, proven skills, and readiness to contribute from day one.

Registration:
Students can be added to the Brightspace course or can self-enroll.

Additional Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Badge outline on light blue background. Embedded Text: As a registered UM Early College student earn a free UMS Career Prepared Micro Credential. University of Maine Early College logo.

Important Reminder! Early College students are financially responsible for any textbook and additional course materials ...
08/12/2026

Important Reminder!
Early College students are financially responsible for any textbook and additional course materials costs. Remember to search for your required textbooks and/or materials before the start of class.

Option 1: Review Your Syllabus
A course syllabus will be provided to you by your instructor either through email or your Brightspace classroom. If you have access to this already, please start by reviewing that document. If you do not yet have access to your course syllabus, we encourage you to email your instructor using your .edu gmail account.

Option 2: Use UMaine's Online Bookstore
UMaine's online bookstore generally opens two weeks before each semester. For instructions on how to search for and purchase any required course textbooks, go to umaine.edu/earlycollege/textbooks/

Additional Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Textbooks and plant against a blue background with star and megaphone icons. Embedded Text: Important Reminder! Check for required textbooks! University of Maine Early College logo.

Apply Now! Exciting Online Courses Still Available! ERS 103: Dynamic Earth3 Credits 8/31/26–12/11/26Explores how Earth’s...
08/11/2026

Apply Now! Exciting Online Courses Still Available!

ERS 103: Dynamic Earth
3 Credits
8/31/26–12/11/26
Explores how Earth’s dynamic processes interact with humans by evaluating: the interplay between Earth’s interior, hydrosphere, biosphere and atmosphere; the effects and underlying causes of natural hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tidal waves and global warming; Earth’s economic and energy resources how they form and how long they will last; and the global environment and how best to interact with it.

BIO 117: This is Life!
4 Credits
8/31/26–12/11/26
This introductory course in general biology for both majors and non-majors is organized around the characteristics of life. Topics covered include cellularity, homeostasis, growth, development, reproduction, genetics, response to stimuli, ecology and evolution.

Apply at
explorec.maine.edu

Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Images of plant growing out of soil and a DNA strand against a blue background. Embedded Text: Online fall courses. ERS 103: Dynamic Earth. BIO 117: This is Life! Apply now! 8/31/26–12/11/26. University of Maine Early College logo.

If you are registered for your first UMaine Early College course, you should have received an email with instructions on...
08/06/2026

If you are registered for your first UMaine Early College course, you should have received an email with instructions on how to activate your UMS/MaineStreet account. If you have taken courses in the past and already have an account, you will not need to do this activation step again.

If you have questions on activating your UMS/MaineStreet account for the first time, please email [email protected] for assistance. Please provide your full (legal) name, date of birth, and high school name to help locate your account.

If you have previously activated your account and need help logging into your UMS/MaineStreet account, please contact the IT help desk at [email protected] or 1-800-696-HELP (4357).

Additional Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Blue graphic featuring a laptop displaying an online login page with technology-themed icons in the background.
Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College logo. Need help activating your UMS/MaineStreet account?

Ready to get a head start on your future?UMaine Early College Pathways are designed to help high school students level u...
08/05/2026

Ready to get a head start on your future?
UMaine Early College Pathways are designed to help high school students level up before even stepping foot on campus!

Here’s how it sets you up for success:

Structured Career Exploration: Choose from tracks like Engineering, Healthcare, Business, Psychology, and Education.
Credits With Purpose: Earn transferable credits that directly fit into your future degree, saving you money, lightening your college course load, or making room for a double major!
Zero Risk, Total Flexibility: You can earn graduation cords and certificates, but there's no pressure as you still keep all earned credits even if you don't complete the full pathway.
Strategic Skill Development: Build high-level planning, goal-setting, and time-management skills that look great on college, internship, and scholarship applications!

Ready to chart your path? Visit our Pathways page to learn more and sign up today!👇
umaine.edu/earlycollege/pathways

Additional Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: White and blue graphic featuring a graduate in a cap and gown alongside a sign-up message for Early College Pathways.
Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College Logo. Sign up for an early college pathway. Learn more. umaine.edu/earlycollege

Address

University Of Maine/435 Estabrooke Hall
Orono, ME
04469

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12075818024

Website

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