Division of Lifelong Learning

The Division of Lifelong Learning provides experiences that enhance quality of life, empower individuals and organizations and improve professional practice. The Division promotes learning as a continuous and lifelong process and provides a broad spectrum of innovative and alternative educational programs and services primarily for the ongoing needs of adult learners and organizations. Enabling educational access and equality of opportunity, the Division extends University resources to non-traditional and non-matriculating constituencies, and serves as an important linkage between the University of Maine, the people of Maine, and Maine’s work force. By offering tailor made, instructional delivery systems for external constituencies (e.g., off-campus, on-site instruction; Web-based courses; interactive television; video conferencing; computer conferencing and other forms of electronic instruction) the Division provides lifelong learning opportunities that reflect the University’s outreach mission and land-grant heritage. Established in 1996, the Division of Lifelong Learning is composed of the Bureau of Labor Education, the Conferences Services Division, the Continuing Education Division and Summer Session, the Hutchinson Center, the Onward Program, the Peace Studies Program, and the Women’s Resource Center. dll.umaine.edu/

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:

Bachelor of University Studies
Interdisciplinary Curriculum in Peace Studies

Bureau of Labor Education
The Bureau of Labor Education (BLE), established in 1966 by the 102nd Maine Legislature and the Trustees of the University of Maine, is guided by the principle that education is a necessary and vital component of a democratic society, as well as a lifelong process. The BLE conducts educational programs, presentations and research on labor and labor-related issues of interest to workers, students, educators, leaders of employee organizations, and public policy makers. General topics include employment law, labor management relations, leadership development, and labor economics. Through the publication of briefing papers, the Bureau also analyzes important public policy issues such as the US health care system, occupational health and safety, workforce demographics, and economic development. Essentially, through teaching, research and public service, the Bureau helps Maine workers and others assess their own situation in relation to the global economic, political and social environment. For more information on the Bureau, or to request a program, call (207) 581-4124. Fees, charges, and program costs are determined by arrangement. dll.umaine.edu/ble.

Conference Services Division
The Conference Services Division furthers the academic mission of the University of Maine by bringing together groups of participants and qualified resource people to share information and ideas, to develop new skills and insights, and to find solutions to current problems. It accomplishes this by professionally coordinating a varied and rich selection of conferences, meetings, seminars and symposia annually, thereby showcasing the University’s facilities and resources through its research and educational endeavors. The Conference Services Division is also responsible for the administration of CEUs for all externally initiated non-credit programs. www.umaine.edu/conferences.

Continuing Education Division
The Continuing Education Division (CED) facilitates the educational aspirations of part-time, evening, weekend, on-campus and distance students who are working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree, or who are taking credit courses and/or non-credit courses for personal and professional growth. The Division conducts professional development certificate programs, in-house contract programs, and community programs designed to meet the educational needs of the Maine workforce or the lifelong learning pursuits of Maine citizens.

The Continuing Education Division coordinates the part-time study of non-traditional and non-degree students on the Orono campus and in a wide geographical area surrounding the Orono campus. Over 500 courses are conducted each year during the late afternoon and evening. The Division provides a source of continuing education for mature and qualified persons who wish to supplement an earlier education. Courses offered may be applied toward degree programs or may be primarily for professional or personal growth. However, all programs offered are designed to prepare adults to meet the challenge of change and to provide experiences in learning, which will lead to a fuller and richer life. Adult students in CED classes have varied backgrounds and interests. Most of them carry on full-time occupations, have graduated from high school some time ago and have determined for themselves the need for earning a degree or for enrolling in courses for personal or occupational development. In addition, some students who are recent high school graduates are beginning their college career by enrollment in CED classes.

A large variety of degree credit courses are available on campus as well as at selected outreach centers. Courses offered might be for degree credit or non-degree credit. Academic advisors are available to advise students on course selection and registration procedures. Regular tuition rates are charged for courses offered. Adults who wish to enroll in a CED course are encouraged to visit the CED office in 122 Chadbourne Hall, (207) 581-3144 or visit the web page at dll.umaine.edu/cd/

Bachelor of University Studies
The Bachelor of University Studies Program presents to the highly motivated part-time student the opportunity 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 students. The program is offered for individuals who did not continue directly to higher education after high school and who find that family, job, and other responsibilities do not allow a full-time program of study; those who have discontinued college or university programs and who now wish to re-enter a degree program and those with associate degrees who may wish to pursue a broader based baccalaureate program. The Bachelor of University Studies is not intended to duplicate or displace current programs or offerings of the University or of other schools and colleges. The degree differs in two major respects from traditional BA and BS degrees. First, it is offered only through the Continuing Education Division and only for adults who attend the University on a part-time basis. Second, each student, in consultation with a CED advisor, will design a program leading to specific educational goals but not necessarily within any one department, division, school, or college. A Steering committee composed of representatives of each of the University’s colleges approves individual plans. Students in the Bachelor of University Studies must complete the University of Maine’s general education requirements in addition to program requirements including: UST 100, Introduction to the Bachelor of University Studies; UST 300, Special Topics: and, UST 499, Senior Capstone and 30 UMaine program hours. The program is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of the individual part-time adult student. Prior to the submission of a University of Maine admission application form, prospective students must meet with an advisor of the Continuing Education Division. For an appointment or for further information call (207) 581-3305 or visit the web page at dll.umaine.edu/bus/

Corporate and Organizational Learning Services
The University of Maine provides customized educational programs on the latest topics and techniques for companies, institutions and organizations. These programs address specific needs in content, delivery method and timing. For example, non-credit certificates currently offered by the Continuing Education Division include: Certificate in Supervision, Certificate in Human Resource Management and Advanced Human Resource Management. All instructors are professionals in their fields selected for their knowledge, teaching effectiveness and training expertise. For more information call (207) 581-3414. visit the web page at dll.umaine.edu/pdp/

Franco-American Centre
The Franco-American Centre stimulates the development of academic and program offerings relevant to the history and life experience of this ethnic group in Maine and New England. It promotes bilingual, bicultural and multicultural models of delivery of services; provides work experiences for university students; and maintains a network of resources in Maine and North America to assist students, faculty, administrators, and agencies with their research and programming needs relative to Franco Americans and other Maine cultural communities. The Centre also publishes a quarterly, bilingual, socio-cultural journal, Le Forum, publishing articles, essays, poems, and short stories of a diverse ethnic and cultural nature. For further information please contact the Franco-American Centre, University of Maine, Crossland Hall, Orono, Maine 04473. Telephone: (207) 581-3764.

Hutchinson Center
The Hutchinson Center provides the people of mid-coast Maine with opportunities to pursue a college degree, professional development, and lifelong learning. The Hutchinson Center also offers a variety of community education and outreach programs geared toward the interests and needs of the region’s citizens. Located one hour south of the University of Maine’s campus, educational opportunities include UMaine Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Administration and in Psychology, the first two years of a Bachelor of Arts degree in a number of fields, and Master’s degrees in Business Administration and in Social Work. Graduate courses in K-12 education and other credit and non-credit courses and programs are also offered. A Bachelor of University Studies degree may be completed on site. A state-of-the art telecommunications facility, the Hutchinson Center combines courses, programs and events offered live on-site with lectures and meetings offered through distance education media, including courses delivered through the University Network for Education and Technology Services (UNET). For further information contact: The Hutchinson Center, 80 Belmont Avenue, Belfast, ME 04915, (207) 338-8000/ 1-800-753-9044, Fax: (207) 338-8001 or visit the web at www.hutchinsoncenter.umaine.edu.

The Wabanaki Center
The Wabanaki Center serves as a resource to the University community, with special efforts directed to the personal, professional and academic achievements of the Native American student population. The Center offers academic and career counseling for students, and works closely with Native American students and alumni organizations. Through advocacy, mentoring and internships, the Wabanaki Center supports students in preparing for positions of leadership and service. For more information, please contact: Native American Programs, University of Maine, 5724 Dunn Hall, Room 308, Orono, Maine 04469-5724. Call (207) 581-1417 or e-mail: www.naps.umaine.edu/Wab_Home.html

Women’s Resource Center
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) promotes and maintains a close relationship between the women on the University of Maine campus and women in the larger Maine community. Located at 101 Fernald Hall, the WRC works with women of all ages and offers mentoring opportunities with women activists, support for women in non-traditional career fields, and gender equity programs for pre-college girls and educators. Leadership, skill development and research opportunities are available to University of Maine undergraduate and graduate students who are work-study and work-merit eligible. The WRC assists women who have specific needs and special concerns and brings together women with similar values and goals. Each year, the WRC embarks on new initiatives that reflect the interest and needs of the campus community.

The Women’s Resource Center seeks to promote within the University community a broader understanding of the diverse experiences of all women. The Center serves as a resource for individuals and organizations, offering information and referrals for women’s programs and services, on and off campus. In addition to an extensive collection of books, periodicals and videos of interest to women, the Center provides an accessible meeting space for small groups, a dedicated office and meeting space for the Student Women’s Association, a semester calendar of events and resource/referral manual. To find out more about the WRC, go to our web site: www.wrc.umaine.edu/ or call (207) 581-1508.