Bachelor of University Studies
The University of Maine
University of Maine’s Bachelor of University Studies (BUS) degree is available at University College Centers* and sites statewide. The program allows motivated, part-time, adult students to coordinate the offerings of the Continuing Education Division and Summer Session into an individually planned degree program. This program is designed specifically and solely for part-time, adult students.
The BUS degree program is available for you if you:
did not continue directly to higher education after high school and find that family, job, and other
responsibilities do not allow a full-time program of study;
have discontinued college or university programs and now wish to re-enter a degree program; or
have earned an associate degree and wish to pursue a broad-based baccalaureate program.
The Bachelor of University Studies degree differs in two major respects from traditional B.A. and B.S. degrees. First, it is offered only through the University of Maine’s Division of Lifelong Learning and only on a part-time basis. Second, in consultation with a BUS advisor, you will design a program leading to specific educational goals, but not necessarily within any one department, division, school or college. This degree is designed to be flexible and adaptable to your needs.
The BUS is an appropriate alternative if you do not desire to commit to a single academic area in order to declare a major. With carefully designed study plans, you may use the BUS to pursue a number of academic interests in relative depth and to gain some exposure to other areas. Depending on the student’s focus, all or part of the degree program may be completed via distance deliveries.
For specific questions regarding the degree program, you can contact:
Barbara Howard, Director
University Studies Program
207-581-3305; Barbara.Howard@umit.maine.edu
For more information, admission requirements, or an application, contact:
Robin Arnold, Administrative Assistant II
Division of Lifelong Learning
100 Chadbourne Hall
University of Maine
Orono, Maine 04469
207-581-3305; Robin.Arnold@umit.maine.edu
The following items will be needed as part of the application process:
$40 non-refundable application fee
high school transcript or GED test scores
all official college transcripts (18 credit hours required with 2.0 grade point average minimum)
appropriate documentation of immunization history (if born after 1956)
interview with a BUS advisor
If you have any questions regarding this degree program or whether it is the appropriate one for you, please contact the Student Services Coordinator at your nearest University College Center. *Centers are located in Bath, Calais, Dover-Foxcroft, East Millinocket, Ellsworth, Houlton, Mexico, Norway/South Paris, Saco, Sanford, and Thomaston. Contact us at www.learn.maine.edu or 1-800-868-7000 for the number of the University College Center in your region.
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