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Sponsored by: University of Maine Presque Isle
June 13, 2024

How to accelerate degree completion

As competency-based education (CBE) becomes a more familiar concept for Maine and the nation, adult learners–many who have paused their college journeys several times–are turning to CBE programs in greater numbers as their solution for getting to degree completion.

Q: What is CBE?

Dr. Raymond Rice

Dr. Raymond Rice has served as President of the University of Maine at Presque Isle since 2016. He led UMPI in becoming the first public university in New England to offer regionally accredited, online competency-based education (CBE) degrees through UMPI’s YourPace degree completion program, which helps adults earn their college degree on their own schedule.

A: CBE is a learner-first approach to education, allowing students to advance through course material as quickly as they can demonstrate proficiency of the academic content. CBE leverages students’ previous knowledge, college coursework, and work experience, allowing them to move through the content they know so they can focus their studies in the areas where they are not yet proficient. CBE is especially aligned with the needs of working adults as it focuses on career-relevant knowledge and skills.

Q: What is YourPace?

A: The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s innovative CBE program, called YourPace, offers degrees designed especially for busy adults 20 and older. We provide a fully online and asynchronous format, meaning you don’t have class at a specific time or receive weekly assignments but you do have 24/7 digital access to the coursework and all study materials (so no need to buy any books). This, and the fact that YourPace is offered year round through six 8-week sessions, gives students maximum flexibility. Our program also provides exceptional one-on-one support–each student receives an academic success coach and an advisor–as well as an affordable, flat tuition rate. In fact, it’s possible to complete a degree for $10,000 or less, as many of our thousands of YourPace graduates have done.

Q: How does the program work?

A: At the start of each session, students receive access to UMPI’s digital platform and can begin working through courses one learning module at a time. As soon as they demonstrate their proficiency with the material, they’re able to advance to the next module, and when they complete a course, they can move to the next one. There is no limit to the number of courses a student can complete in a given session. 

Q: How does this differ from other online programs?

A: What really sets UMPI’s YourPace program apart is its incredible affordability and exceptional flexibility. The cost per 8-week session is $1,700 for undergraduate courses and $2,350 for graduate courses. And unlike traditional online programs, you can customize your workload and earn credits at a speed that fits your needs and busy schedule. If you can only work on your courses from 9 p.m. to midnight on Wednesdays and Saturdays, you can do that. Or if you’re in the middle of an 8-week session, have to pause for two weeks, and then finish strong, you can do that, too.

Q: How does this program benefit employers and their employees? 

A: In addition to the immediate upskilling and credentialing of an employee, there are career advancement and higher wage opportunities on the employee side and the ability to fill higher level leadership roles on the employer side. YourPace is also an excellent complement to existing training and professional development programs; individuals can maximize their tuition reimbursement dollars or federal financial aid through our flat tuition rate, allowing them to complete multiple sessions and as many credits as they’re able during that time. In Maine, there are about 190,000 adults with some college but no degree or credential. In helping to meet the state’s workforce development needs, UMPI’s YourPace program is ensuring that those individuals are able to accelerate degree completion and realize their full potential.