Oct 15, 2024  
2020-2021 UMA Catalog 
    
2020-2021 UMA Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graduate Admissions Policies



The Office of Admissions oversees the application process for all graduate programs at the University of Maine at Augusta.

Please send all application materials to:

Application Processing Center, University of Maine System, P.O. Box 412, Bangor ME 04402-0412

Electronic transcripts or other application materials can be emailed to edocs@maine.edu.  Please be sure the applicant’s name is on all emailed documents, not just in the body of the email.

The Office of Admissions is located on the Augusta campus and can be reached at (207) 621-3465 or 877-862-1234 or at umaadm@maine.edu. Deadlines for admission vary by program.

To be admitted to graduate study, an applicant must have received a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university and show promise of the ability to pursue advanced study and research in the appropriate program.

Required Submissions for All Graduate Programs

The following policies and procedures apply generally; consult the particular degree program for specific information regarding additional criteria.

  • A complete application, available online at https://www.uma.edu/admission/apply/
  • Official transcript(s) of all previous undergraduate and graduate work, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System. The UMA Admissions Office can access the University of Maine System transcripts provided the credits were earned in 1986 or later.  If transfer credit shows on the degree transcript, you must also request a transcript from the original credit awarding institution. A transcript is official when it comes directly from the institution. If an applicant is submitting an official transcript, it must be in a sealed envelope from the institution indicating that it is an official document. If the envelope has been opened prior to arriving at the Office of Admissions, it is no longer considered an official transcript. Institutions that send electronic transcripts should send them directly to the Office of Admissions at edocs@maine.edu .
  • If the applicant is an international student whose first language is not English: Official TOEFL scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test, 79 or higher on the Internet-based test, or 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or official IELTS test scores of 6.5 or higher. Some graduate programs have higher TOEFL or IELTS requirements. Please check the website of the individual program. International students who have received their undergraduate degree from an English-speaking institution may apply for a waiver of this requirement. Contact the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information on the waiver process.

Submission of Application

Submission of the electronic application is the first step in the application process. Once an application is submitted, an account is generated that allows applicants to check on the status of the application and monitor the receipt of supporting materials. Applicants are strongly encouraged to not wait until the deadline to submit an application. Submitting the application at or near the deadline means the applicant does not have the ability to check on the application and determine what has been received or what is missing.

Upon receipt of the electronic application, the Office of Admissions emails all applicants instructions on activating a University of Maine System account that will allow applicants to monitor the status of their application. Applicants are responsible to monitor this account and ensure that all supporting materials arrive at the Office of Admissions and are postmarked by the application deadline.

All documents relating to an application for admission to graduate study are to be sent to the Office of Admissions via the Application Processing Center, University of Maine System, P.O. Box 412, Bangor, ME 04402-0412.  Electronic transcripts and other applications can be sent to the Processing Center at edocs@maine.edu.

Applicants are not required to submit required documents, such as references and essays, at the time of application submission. These items can be emailed at a later time via attachment (PDF format is preferred) to edocs@maine.edu.  Please be sure the applicant name is on the document and also in the subject line of the email.

Criteria for application review may be determined by individual schools, colleges, or programs. The Office of Admissions must determine that an application has met the criteria for final admission. Final action on the status of the application is taken by the respective graduate program. Notification of final action is made by the Office of Admissions. All documents relating to an application become the property of the University of Maine at Augusta.

International Student Applications

Students whose first language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the test offered by the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit scores as part of the application documents. Only applicants with TOEFL scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test, 213 or higher on the computer-based test, or 79 or higher on the Internet-based test, or an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher will be considered for admission to a graduate program. Individual graduate programs may have higher score requirements. Please check the program website to determine if a higher score is required. International students who received their undergraduate degree from an English-speaking institution may apply for a waiver of this requirement. Please contact the Office of Admissions for more information on submitting a request for a waiver.

Transcripts from universities outside of the United States must be translated into English and must be accompanied by verification that the degree received is equivalent to a United States bachelor’s degree. Please see information for international students on the Admissions Web site at https://www.uma.edu/admission/international/ for a list of agencies that can provide this verification and for further information about this requirement.  Universities in certain countries are exempt from this requirement.  Please contact the Office of Admissions for clarification or refer to https://www.uma.edu/admission/international/ .

Application Deadlines

Applications for admission and all supporting material must be postmarked by the deadlines set by the individual graduate programs. Please refer to the appropriate program or department website for specific application deadlines.

Deadline for Enrollment

An applicant admitted for full-time or part-time study must register in that semester for which he or she has been admitted.

Non-Matriculated Student Enrollment

If an individual from the community, or a UMA student in their final year of study, is interested in enrolling in a graduate course, enrollment permission must be gained from the specific program’s Graduate Coordinator. Gaining permission may include a discussion between the individual and the program’s Graduate Coordinator to determine if the course is in alignment with the individual’s educational and/or professional goals as well as the program expectations and curriculum.

Immunization Law

Maine state law requires all individuals born after December 31, 1956, who plan to enroll in a degree program or plan to take twelve or more credits, to show proof of immunity against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus before registering for classes.

Immunization records must be on file with the Registrar before students will be allowed to register for classes.

Specific information about immunization requirements is sent with admissions packets.  Students can send their immunization proof to:  Application Processing Center, University of Maine System, PO Box 412, Bangor ME 04402-0412 or fax to 207-581-5451. For more information, the Immunization Hotline number is (207) 780-4504.

Readmission

A student previously registered in a graduate program who has failed to maintain continuous enrollment or who has withdrawn or been withdrawn from the program, or a student who has failed to matriculate in accordance with the enrollment deadline and who wishes to resume studies, must file an application for readmission to graduate school by the regularly published deadlines for the semester or summer session and register during the usual registration period.

The readmission application form is only to be used within two years of the original application and if the applicant has not attended any other graduate programs. If more than two years have passed or if the applicant has enrolled in a graduate program at a different institution, applicants are required to complete a new application. The readmission application form can be found online at https://www.uma.edu/admission/apply/ 

Classification of Admission

Regular admission is granted a student who has a record of high scholarship and about whom there is no question of ability to carry on graduate study.

In some instances, conditional admission may be granted to a student who does not meet the established requirements or standards, provided there is sufficient evidence to show that the student is capable of doing satisfactory graduate work. A program that admits a student conditionally determines the conditions that the student must meet. If a program determines that a student has not met these conditions, the student will be withdrawn from the program.

Transfer Credit

Please refer to the Graduate Academic Policy for information regarding Transfer Credit.

Admission of Individuals with Disabilities

The University does not discriminate against qualified applicants on the basis of a physical or mental disability.

Academic Support for Students with Disabilities

If a student has a disability which may affect the ability to participate fully in this course, it is the student’s responsibility to promptly request accommodations prior to the start of the semester.  Accommodations must be requested each semester, and are not provided retroactively.  More information can be found at:  https://www.uma.edu/academics/student-support/accessibility-services/

Appeal of Admissions Decisions

Applicants may appeal an admission decision by submitting a written appeal to the Office of Admissions within 10 working days of receipt of the admission decision letter. The appeal will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee, which consists of the following individuals: chair or director of the program, the Dean of the Graduate School, and the Associate Vice President for Admission & Financial Aid. The Office of Admissions will notify the student of the action taken on the appeal, within ten working days of receipt of the appeal. For further information about the appeal process, please contact the Associate Vice President for Admission & Financial Aid by calling 207-621-3465.

Full-time or Part-time Status

Full-time registration is for 6 or more degree credits; half-time requires 3 credits.

Note: For the purpose of eligibility for graduate assistantships, financial aid, or veterans’ benefits, credits required for full-time status may differ. Please consult the Student Financial Services or the Veterans Services Office for current requirements.

Matriculation in a Second Program

Occasionally students seek to pursue a second program, either after graduating from their first program, or prior to completing the first program. In either case, the student must apply for admission to the new program. All courses, grades, and quality points taken at the graduate level will be recorded on one transcript. The new program will determine which courses will count toward graduation. Typically a maximum of six credits may count toward both degrees.

Professional Licensure and Certification Notice

Students who are pursuing degrees leading to application for professional licensure or certification, and/or who will be participating in clinical placements, internships, or practica through their UMA program should be aware that their host facility may require a criminal background check, fingerprinting, or drug screening. In such situations, each student is responsible for obtaining and paying for the background check or other screening process and for delivering required documentation to the facility. Although the University will make reasonable efforts to place admitted students in field experiences and internships, it will be up to the host facility to determine whether a student will be allowed to work at that facility. Students should be aware that a criminal record may jeopardize licensure by the state certification body. Students may consult the certification body corresponding to their intended occupation for more details. Successful completion of a program of study at UMA does not guarantee licensure, certification, or employment in the relevant occupation.

E-mail Communication Policy

In order to meet the academic and administrative needs of the University community, the University has established e-mail as an official and primary means of communication to its students, accepted and/or enrolled. In some cases, email may be the only form of communication. Official University-assigned e-mail accounts are created for all accepted and/or enrolled students usually in the form of FirstName.LastName@maine.edu. Students are responsible for reading all information sent to them via their University assigned e-mail account. The University has the right to expect that such communications will be received and read in a timely fashion.

It is imperative that students understand that a majority of University information will be communicated to them via their assigned e-mail account. Confidential information will not be sent via e-mail. If the University needs to convey sensitive information to the student and the information cannot be conveyed using the password-protected student self-service venue, the University will send the information via the United States Postal Service. The University reserves the right to notify students via e-mail when any action on the student’s part may be necessary. Some actions can be accomplished using the University’s Student Information Systems, made available through special password-protected links. Students should activate their assigned e-mail accounts at http://mail.maine.edu.

For assistance in activating your University account,  https://www.uma.edu/admission/get-connected/ or contact the HelpDesk at (207) 621-7400, or umahelp@maine.edu.

Specific Admission Criteria for Graduate Programs:

Certificate in Substance Abuse Use Disorders

To be considered for admission to the certificate in substance abuse and treatment, all applicants must submit the following items no later than July 31st to be considered for fall admission (there is no spring admission for this program). 

  • UMA Application
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System.
  • Resume.
  • Essay that includes a short autobiography and the applicant’s reason(s) for pursuing graduate study in substance use disorders. Essay should be 2-4 pages in length.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation attesting to the applicant’s ability to succeed in graduate school and a career in substance use disorder treatment. Only professional letters of recommendation will be accepted. Letters from professors, professionals in the field of mental health and human services, and/or supervisors from employment/field placement settings are recommended. Letters from family members and friends will not be accepted.
  • Copies of current active professional licenses and certificates (if applicable).

Applicants who are admitted and enroll in the Certificate in Substance Use Disorders Program will be invited to meet with the program’s Graduate Coordinator to discuss the program expectations, curriculum, and available supports. The meeting could be conducted in person or virtually.

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

To be considered for admission to the Master of Science in cybersecurity, all applicants must submit the following items no later than July 31st for fall admission and January1st for spring admission. 

  •  UMA Application
  • Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Transcripts from all colleges or universities attended, excluding the seven campuses of the University of Maine System.
  • Essay stating the reasons for pursuing this degree, professional goals, and how this degree will contribute to these goals.

Applicants submitting all of the above listed required items will be holistically reviewed and may be invited to participate in a mandatory interview with program faculty prior to an admission decision.