University of Maine at Presque Isle maintains accreditation for YourPace program

The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) has affirmed the academic quality of the University of Maine at Presque Isle (UMPI) YourPace program, an online degree completion initiative for adults. The accreditation review followed media reports regarding the speed at which students earn degrees through the competency-based model.

While the accreditation for the existing program remains intact, NECHE has temporarily suspended UMPI’s “general approval” to launch new competency-based programs without prior commission oversight. This change affects the university’s ability to expand into new programs through April but does not impact current student offerings or existing curricula.

University of Maine System officials stated that the decision does not change current operations, as there are no immediate plans for expansion. Data provided to the commission indicated that many YourPace learners transfer significant credits and complete degrees in a year or less, with 89% of learners reporting the program is as rigorous as previous postsecondary experiences.