UMA offers path to degree for those who started, but never finished

By Brent Wooton

Kennebec County resident Emily Christiansen has a lot on her plate. Being a mother of five children, as well as employment with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office for the past 11 years and serving as a reserve patrol officer for the Wiscasset Police Department keeps her busy. But she found time for one passion — completing her degree.

“Going to college has been a life goal of mine,” Christensen said. “Right out of high school I joined the military, then I got out and started a family and started working. Life’s kinda gotten in the way, but going back to school and getting my degree has always been a long-term goal.”
Like many students who attend the University of Maine at Augusta, Christiansen had accumulated college credits but not finished her degree. Currently, about 189,000 Maine adults (20 percent of those over 25) have college credits, but no degree.
According to Educate Maine’s 2017 Indicators Report, 66 percent of high-wage, in-demand Maine job openings from 2014 to 2024 will require some level of postsecondary education, but only 43 percent of Maine adults hold a “credential of value” (a college degree, a certificate or an industry credential).
UMA is helping to close that skills gap, and playing a critical role in the state’s goal of 60 percent of Mainers having a credential of value by 2025.
“We welcome all adults who want to explore what it takes to finish their college degree,” said Brandy Finck, associate vice president for admission and student financial services. “Although almost half of our new students in the fall 2018 semester were recent high school graduates, UMA’s average student age is in the mid-30s. In fact, 60 percent of UMA students are 25 or older. We know how to serve all students, no matter what their age.”
Christiansen restarted her college courses in the spring 2016 semester. “I chose the justice program because it has direct relevance to my career in law enforcement,” she said. “I want to be able to continue to impact the people in my community in a positive way. I really find that the skills and knowledge that I have gained here have already influenced my ability to do that in my day-to-day work.”
A UMA degree is not only relevant, it’s affordable. In addition to transferring college credits (like Christiansen and many others have done), students can take advantage of Prior Learning Assessment, which lets students earn credit for work and life experience gained outside the traditional classroom setting. Credits are by examination, portfolio review and external training review, and it results in earning a degree sooner and more cost-effectively. UMA also offers scholarships, including the Pine Tree State Pledge, which provides last dollar financing to Pell Grant eligible students for tuition and mandatory fees, so many students actually have “zero tuition.”
Students also enjoy the flexibility and accessibility UMA offers with its two campuses, eight UMA Centers and 32 course sites. Combined with online delivery for many courses, students can fit courses into their lives and still stay connected.
“Despite being an online student, it’s been wonderful getting to know the faculty, staff and other students,” Christensen said. “Anywhere I go with this degree is going to be, in large part, because of the staff and faculty here. I’ve really found myself fitting in tremendously here at UMA. It’s been wonderful to feel I’m taking big strides towards my goal.”
For more information, visit uma.edu/finish.