University of Maine System accepts high school credentials for college credit

The University of Maine System has announced it will begin accepting credentials earned through the Jobs for Maine Graduates program as college course credits. This initiative aims to encourage higher education aspirations among high school students as public universities face declining enrollment numbers.

To qualify for credit, the Jobs for Maine Graduates program must meet college-level standards, including a minimum of 10 hours of instructional time and successful completion of assessments. Faculty have evaluated and approved eight specific credentials for credit: leadership development, personal growth, entrepreneurial mindset, multicultural foundations, pathway navigation, job and career readiness, financial literacy, and digital literacy.

The move is part of a broader effort to increase postsecondary enrollment in Maine. Current data shows that 60 percent of Maine students seek a postsecondary degree, while only 55.5 percent of the state’s working-age population has completed postsecondary training or a degree. The coalition MaineSpark is currently advocating for 70 percent of Mainers to have postsecondary training by 2035.