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.

It’s not too late to start your UMaine Early College journey this fall! Enroll in a late-start fall course today!BIO 117...
09/10/2026

It’s not too late to start your UMaine Early College journey this fall! Enroll in a late-start fall course today!

BIO 117: This is Life!
4 Credits
10/19/26–12/11/26
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. The inquiry-based laboratory provides opportunities for students to participate in hands-on investigations into these topics.

INT 193: Introduction to Career Exploration and Development
3 Credits
10/19/26–12/11/26
An experiential course designed to assist students with exploring and identifying career interests and goals through the utilization of a structured career development process

LDR 100: Foundations of Leadership
3 Credits
10/19/26–12/11/26
Introduction to the study of leadership as a personal and social phenomenon from a multidisciplinary perspective, with a focus on the development of practical leadership skills and behaviors. Emphasis on exploring the nature of leadership in diverse human contexts through civic and community engagement.

Apply at
explorec.maine.edu

Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Fall Leaves falling in the background. Additional image of high school students smiling and looking at laptop. Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College logo. Late-start fall courses available. 10/19/26–12/11/26. BIO 117: This is Life! INT 193: Introduction to Career Exploration & Development. LDR 100: Foundations of Leadership.umaine.edu/earlycollege

As a UMaine Early College student you have access to many resources to help during your Early College journey! Our Early...
09/08/2026

As a UMaine Early College student you have access to many resources to help during your Early College journey!

Our Early College Advisor, Seth Ordway, can assist students with reaching their post-secondary goals through course and pathway planning, prep sessions before the start of the term, and creating connections with tutoring services or college admissions representatives.

Learn more at
umaine.edu/earlycollege/advising

Don't hesitate to reach out to our team! We are happy to answer your questions, schedule a meeting, or connect you with additional resources!
[email protected]
207.581.8024

Image Description: UMaine Early College Advisor, Seth Ordway, sits at an event table filled with Early College materials. Embedded Text: Contact us. Ask questions. Early College Student Support. Course Planning. Prep Sessions. UMaine Resources. University of Maine Early College logo. Website umaine.edu/earlycollege. Phone 207.581.8024. Email [email protected].

Please keep in mind that there will be no classes on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.Enjoy the long weeke...
09/07/2026

Please keep in mind that there will be no classes on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.

Enjoy the long weekend, recharge, and stay safe! Regular class schedules will resume on Tuesday, September 8.

Enjoy your day off, Black Bears! 🐾💙

Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Graphic of worker holding a wrench. Dark Blue and light blue background. Embedded Text: UMaine crest. Happy Labor Day. No classes Monday, September 7.

Don't want to miss any UMaine emails or log in to multiple accounts? You have the option to forward .edu emails! If you ...
09/03/2026

Don't want to miss any UMaine emails or log in to multiple accounts? You have the option to forward .edu emails!

If you are trying to simplify your email accounts after enrolling in a UMaine Early College course, consider adjusting your settings so that your emails go to one account. Email sent to your .edu address can be forwarded by adjusting the settings in your Gmail account.

Learn more at
umaine.edu/earlycollege/getting-started/

Additional Questions
[email protected]
1-800-696-HELP (4357)

Image Description: Email pop up notification box on dark and light blue background. Reminder: Forward UMS Emails to Personal Account. Don’t forget that to help manage your emails, you can forward your UMS emails (.edu) to your personal Gmail account. Learn more. Best, University of Maine Early College logo.

Attention Homeschool Families!Interested in tuition-free college courses for your high school student? The UMaine Early ...
09/01/2026

Attention Homeschool Families!
Interested in tuition-free college courses for your high school student? The UMaine Early College team is hitting the road from Sept 14–17 for a series of regional, in-person information sessions across Maine!

Join us to:
💡 Explore available Early College opportunities.
❓ Get your questions answered directly by program staff.
📝 Get hands-on help with the application process.

Don't miss out on giving your student a head start with the UMaine Early College Program!

👉 Reserve your spot today: forms.gle/uajZunkzNUf2Cfxw7

Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Homeschool parent assists student with coursework on laptop. White, dark blue, and red background. Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College logo. umaine.edu/earlycollege. [email protected]. September 14–17. Register Now. Homeschool Info Sessions. Learn more about the Umaine Early College Program and meet our team!

Welcome to the fall 2026 semester with the UMaine Early College program! New semester, fresh blank pages, and endless op...
08/31/2026

Welcome to the fall 2026 semester with the UMaine Early College program!
New semester, fresh blank pages, and endless opportunities waiting to be unlocked. Your next chapter starts today.

Still looking for a fall course? Review our available late start courses.
umaine.edu/earlycollege/fall-courses/

Questions?
[email protected]

Image Description: Graphics of pen, laptop, stack of textbooks, and autumn leaf over a graph paper background. Embedded Text: University of Maine Early College logo. Welcome. Fall 2026 Semester.

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.

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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