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In order to assist students in achieving their educational goals, the University provides advising support tailored to the structure of each academic program.
Semester-Based Students
Students enrolled in traditional semester-based programs are supported by both a faculty advisor and a professional academic advisor. Professional academic advisors assist new matriculated students with initial registration and assign students to faculty advisors in their intended majors. The faculty and professional staff who serve as advisors provide guidance on degree planning, course registration, goal setting, and referral to campus resources and services that support student success. Students must have their wishlists approved by faculty advisors in order to register for the upcoming term. However, students are strongly encouraged to maintain regular contact with their advisors throughout the semester. Advisors are available to assist with all matters relating to academic progress and planning. It is important for students to actively engage in the advising relationship, as advisors cannot offer assistance if students do not seek their support. While students are ultimately responsible for the successful completion of their degree requirements, the relationship they establish with their academic advisors can be an essential resource in achieving their goals.
YourPace Students
Students enrolled in the University’s YourPace competency-based education program receive advising support from New Student Enrollment Specialists and Academic Success Coaches. New Student Enrollment Specialists work with students prior to the start of their program to create a personalized degree audit that incorporates UMPI credit, transfer credit, and credit for prior learning. They assist with selecting a degree program, outline remaining requirements, develop an initial degree progress plan, enroll students in their first set of courses, and answer questions leading up to the first session. Once enrolled, students are assigned an Academic Success Coach based on their major. Academic Success Coaches serve as the student’s primary point of contact throughout their program. They assist with course navigation, offer strategies for academic success and time management, and provide support related to the learning platform. Academic Success Coaches also advise students on academic policies and procedures, such as adding or dropping courses, withdrawing, taking a leave of absence, and understanding academic integrity expectations. Additionally, they coordinate with faculty and connect students with University resources as needed to promote persistence and completion.
Advising-Semester-Based
Advising-YourPace
Office of Career Readiness
Change of Major or Advisor
Course Prerequisites
Course Registration Changes
Course Waiver Policy
Declaring a Major
Declaring a Minor
Directed Study
Grade Changes
Grade Warning Systems
Independent Study
Registration for Matriculated Students
Registration for Non-Matriculated Students
Special Topics Course
Advising-Semester-Based Students
At most colleges and universities, you get one advisor. But we care so much about you and your academic success, that we give you two advisors. In fact, all students get access to an advising team composed of a professional academic advisor and a faculty academic advisor. And together they help track your path to degree completion. It’s part of our Personalized Learning effort.
Not sure who is going to help you with what?
| Faculty Advisor |
Professional Advisor |
| Reviews and approves class schedule |
Provides initial class scheduling assistance |
| Guides progress through to degree completion |
Helps with degree progress tools in MaineStreet and ELO tracking in TK20 |
| Approves Essential Learning Outcomes |
Offers strategies for academic success |
| Provides career mentoring |
Assists with academic policies and procedures |
| Assists in planning capstones, internships, service learning, etc. |
Provides referrals to campus resources and offices |
| Offers options and planning for graduate school |
Encourages engagement in the campus community |
Staff
Director of Advising for Traditional Programs
Location:127 Preble Hall
Phone: (207) 768-9508
Email: jennifer.buzza@maine.edu
Professional Academic Advisor
Location: Preble Hall
Phone:(207) 768-9619
Email: cole.brown@maine.edu
Professional Academic Advisor/Student Services Coordinator
Location: Houlton Center
Phone: (207) 521-3100 ext. 2103 or (207) 760-2103
Email: jean.henderson@maine.edu
Professional Academic Advisor
Location: 127 Preble Hall
Phone: (207) 768-9616
Email: danielle.pelkey@maine.edu
Contact Us
For more information, contact our Advising Center at (207) 768-9466 or email us at umpi-advising@maine.edu
Are you interested in a student exchange in the US or a study abroad opportunity? Visit our Student Exchange Opportunities page
General Academic and Advising Information
Change of Major or Advisor
Students seek information about changing their major or advisor for a variety of reasons. Professional Advisors, YourPace New Student Enrollment Specialists, and YourPace Success Coaches are available to help students who wish to explore their options and will update the student’s official record once a decision to change has been made.
Course Prerequisites
Please refer to each course in this catalogue for specific prerequisites.
Course Registration Changes
Semester-Based Students
- Course Add-Drop Period: During the first five days of the semester, students may add course(s); during the first ten days of the semester, students may drop course(s) without notation on the record. Students who find that their names are not on the instructor’s official class roster should check immediately with the Registrar’s Office to make necessary corrections in the registration records. Once registered, students may make changes to their registrations electronically.
After the Add/Drop Period, students may request to withdraw from a class or classes or from the entire term and receive a notation of W on their record by completing the appropriate form prior to the deadline. The Last Day to Withdraw is published in the academic calendar and in MaineStreet. After the deadline and before the official Class End Date (published in MaineStreet), a student may request a notation of W in an individual class on the grounds of serious illness or proven extenuating circumstances as determined by the instructor (see Academic Appeal - Appeal of Grade). All students leaving any class or the term without officially withdrawing will receive grades of F or L in their class(es). F or L grades earn 0.00 quality points and are calculated in the student’s grade point average. After the Last Day to Withdraw, grades of F are automatically assigned for all term withdrawals. Students withdrawing from the entire term after the deadline must appeal for notations of W to the Academic Appeals Board.
YourPace Students
Students may request a “W” during the published amount of time without approval from the instructor of record; Between the “W” deadline and the session end date, students must ask for approval from the instructor of record. Students who have submitted a final assessment draft may not withdraw from the competency. Students who have uploaded a final assessment may not withdraw from the competency.
Course Waiver Policy
On rare occasions, students at UMPI may be granted waivers for required courses based on extensive experience in a given area. The student must submit supporting documentation detailing his/ her previous applicable experience to the Chair of the College offering the course to be waived. The Provost has final approval authority.
Declaring a Major
Many students choose to begin their academic career as an undeclared major. Students may be advised by a faculty advisor in an area of interest while remaining officially undeclared and they will have the services of a professional advisor.
Undeclared students will be encouraged to explore their educational and career interests with the objective of choosing a major as soon as possible. Matriculated students are expected to declare a major prior to earning 60 degree hours.
***YourPace students cannot begin their academic career as undeclared.
Declaring a Minor
UMPI does not require students to complete a minor. However, a minor allows students to develop expertise in additional offerings within a discipline or outside of one’s declared major. Minors must be completed simultaneously with a major degree program. Students must be active in at least one major in order to pursue a minor, although multiple minors can be linked to the completion of a single major. Students must meet with their professional advisor to declare a minor before it will appear on their transcript. All minors must be declared prior to the awarding of the degree.
Credits Required
A minor requires at least 18 credit hours and a maximum of 24 credit hours. Students may select any minor in which at least 9 credit hours do not overlap with courses also required for the student’s major program in which the minor is being declared in conjunction or any certificate programs or other minors that the student has declared; i.e., at least 9 credit hours in the minor must be unique to it.
GPA Requirement
For a minor to be awarded, a minimum of an overall average of 2.25 GPA must be earned in all required courses.
Directed Study
A Directed Study is the offering of a catalogue course on an individual basis by an appropriate faculty member to a qualifying student. Directed Studies are available only on a limited basis, due to the burden they place upon the instructional staff.
A student may apply for a Directed Study when the following conditions are met: the student is a degree candidate at UMPI; the course is required for the student to complete degree requirements; the course will not be offered as a part of the regular curriculum in time to prevent a postponement of completion of degree requirements or there is a time conflict between two courses specifically required for the degree, neither of which may be postponed without a resultant delay in the completion of degree requirements; or, the student is a practicing teacher or career changer seeking a required course for certification purposes.
Courses at the 100 and 200 levels that satisfy core requirements and requirements in the major are not appropriate for Directed Study, since it is expected that students will complete them as freshmen or sophomores.
A Directed Study will also be considered on a case-by-case basis when the applicant is a practicing teacher or a graduate pursuing an alternative route to teacher certification who is in need of a required course. Career changers seeking initial teacher certification, practicing teachers who cannot find a required course offered after regular school hours, or teachers attempting to complete requirements for an additional endorsement may be eligible to apply.
Grade Changes
Students with questions regarding the accuracy of a grade should contact the appropriate instructor for resolution. If a change of grade is justified, the instructor will submit a change of grade in MaineStreet for the Registrar to process. Grade changes will not be processed for students who are two semesters beyond separation from the course in which the grade was assigned or from the University, or for a student whose degree has been awarded.
Grade Warning Systems
The University has devised grade-warning systems to help contribute to a successful educational experience for students, particularly those who are having initial difficulties adjusting to the demands of their university experience.
The early warning systems are undertaken during the fourth, eighth, and twelfth weeks of class for all courses.
Through these systems, students are alerted in a timely fashion so as to make adjustments before their academic records are affected.
***This warning system does NOT apply to YourPace students.
Independent Study
Students at junior and senior level with a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or more may be eligible to earn a maximum of 9 credits in approved Independent Study (generally, no more than 3 credits per semester).
The student must consult with his/her faculty advisor, the instructor involved, and the Chair of the College. Following such consultation, the student submits a detailed proposal for a course of study; this proposal must be approved by the faculty advisor, instructor, the Chair of the student, and the Chair of the course. Credits earned through meaningful independent study will count toward graduation but should not duplicate a regular course offering or course(s) previously taken by that student. An Independent Study carries course number 397 or 497, depending on the level of the course.
An Independent Study will also be considered on a case-by-case basis when the applicant is a practicing teacher or a graduate pursuing an alternative route to teacher certification who is in need of a required course. Career changers seeking initial teacher certification, practicing teachers who cannot find a required course offered after regular school hours, or teachers attempting to complete requirements for an additional endorsement may be eligible to apply.
The complete proposal must be submitted no later than six weeks before the term in which the Independent Study is to be done. The student will be informed of its approval or disapproval within 30 days of its submission.
Registration for Matriculated Students
Semester-based students participate in an advisement and registration period each fall and spring to select courses for the upcoming semester. Students are responsible for monitoring their academic progress and planning their schedules in accordance with the degree program requirements in effect at the time of their matriculation.
YourPace students are required to initiate enrollment for each session by emailing umpi-addcompetency@maine.edu and should monitor communications from the University regarding upcoming session start dates and enrollment procedures. YourPace students cannot enroll themselves and must work directly with the YourPace Enrollment Team to register for courses. Students are responsible for ensuring timely enrollment and for completing all registered coursework by the end of each session, in accordance with academic policies and financial aid requirements.
Registration for Non-Matriculated Students
Individuals may take college courses for personal enrichment as non-degree students by registering and paying for the courses without going through a formal admission process.
Non-degree students may enroll in up to 9 credit hours of coursework. This credit hour limit does not apply to students who are matriculated at other institutions within the University of Maine System.
Special Topics Courses
Special Topics Courses are not included among regular academic courses. The topics will be determined by the special needs and interests of the students within the context of the qualifications and availability of faculty resources.
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