Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions about advising, online learning, transferring credits, or finding the right program? The DLL Advising Center is here to help you navigate your educational journey at the University of Maine. Explore answers to frequently asked questions about academic advising and success coaching, online learning, adult learners, transfer and non-degree students, admissions, and more.
About DLL Advising & Academic Success Coaching
Our advisors help learners interested in or enrolled in a DLL program throughout their educational journey.
Learn how our advisors can help you at every stage and level by visiting Who We Help.
The DLL Advising Center acts as the one-stop shop for all of your academic and advising needs throughout your journey. Some of the ways we can help are:
- Help you select the right program for you
- Answer questions about degree requirements
- Register for and add or drop classes
- Provide extra support for students on academic probation
- Develop essential educational and personal success skills
Learn how our advisors can help you at every stage and level by visiting Who We Help.
Academic Success Coaching offers a supportive and confidential environment for students to explore their goals and develop essential educational and personal success skills. An Academic Success Coach can assist you with creating effective study habits, setting goals, prioritizing your to-do list, finding balance between your personal and academic life, and more.
Learn more about Academic Success Coaching at umaine.edu/dll/advising/academic-success-coaching.
Sign up for Academic Success Coaching by completing and submitting a request form.
An Academic Success Coaching session is a collaborative, 30- to 50-minute one-on-one conversation focused on improving study habits, time management, and motivation, rather than tutoring specific subject content.
The coach and student start with a brief, welcoming conversation to ease tension and discuss how the week is going. The student shares what is on their mind or what challenges they face, such as procrastination, test anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. The coach asks open-ended questions to evaluate current study methods and introduces evidence-based learning strategies tailored to the student. Together, they outline small, realistic steps and short-term goals for the student to try out before the next meeting.
An academic success coach focuses on the student’s behavior and habits, teaching time management, study skills, and motivation to help them pass their classes, while an academic advisor focuses on logistics, mapping out course schedules, choosing majors, and clearing graduation requirements.
You can talk to your Academic Success Coach about study habits, time management, test anxiety, goal setting, organization, and balancing school with personal life. They offer a private, supportive space to help you build better academic skills and connect you with campus resources.
Yes! The DLL Advising Center provides support year-round, regardless of whether it’s during Winter Session, Summer University, or during typical fall and spring semesters.
Learn how our advisors can help you at every stage and level by visiting Who We Help.
Online Learning
You can find a list of all the degrees and certificates offered online at online.umaine.edu.
You can see a list of our UMaineOnline advisors and the programs they advise at online.umaine.edu/advising.
You can find the definitions for course and program formats at online.umaine.edu.
You can find instructions for searching and registering for an online course, as well as a list of courses, at online.umaine.edu.
You can also contact an advisor by emailing dlladvising@umaine.edu.
If you want to take one or more online courses, the non-degree route might be the best fit for you. Students with a high school diploma may complete and submit the undergraduate non-degree registration form. Students with a bachelor’s degree seeking graduate-level courses should complete the Graduate School Application and select Non-Degree as the application type.
You can find answers to commonly asked questions about online learning by visiting online.umaine.edu or contacting us at umaineonline@maine.edu.
You can find a comprehensive list of tips for online learning at online.umaine.edu.
If you’re looking for a more personalized approach, consider Academic Success Coaching. An Academic Success Coach can assist you with creating effective study habits, setting goals, prioritizing your to-do list, finding balance between your personal and academic life, and more.
Sign up for Academic Success Coaching by completing and submitting a request form.
Adult Learners
You can find general information and resources for adult learners at umaine.edu/adult-learner.
No matter how long it’s been since you attended college, UMaine is here to help you finish your degree.
You have two options:
- Finish the degree you started either on campus or online, or
- Choose an adult degree completion program.
Which option is best for you depends on your goals and number of existing college credits. An advisor can work with you one-on-one to help you select the option right for you based on your unique needs and academic history.
Non-Degree & Transfer Students
To switch to an online degree or degree completion program from a different program within the University of Maine, you must submit a Change of Program form. Talk with your current advisor and check your financial aid status before you change.
Submit a free online undergraduate application along with official transcripts from all prior regionally accredited colleges. Undergraduate courses with a grade of C- or higher generally qualify for transfer credit. To transfer into an online graduate program at the University of Maine, you must formally apply for admission through the University of Maine Graduate School and submit official transcripts from all prior colleges.
For undergraduate students, UMaine generally accepts credits from courses successfully completed with a C- or higher from other University of Maine System (UMS) universities, Maine Community College System (MCCS) colleges, or accredited institutions of higher learning that are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE).
To submit transcripts to the University of Maine, have your high school or previous college send an official copy electronically to edocs@maine.edu or through clearinghouses such as Parchment or Naviance. Alternatively, official paper transcripts can be mailed to the Application Processing Center at PO Box 412, Bangor, ME 04402.
You can use the transfer guide at www.maine.edu to see if your course(s) transfer. For a more personalized review of transfer credits, contact an advisor.
For graduate students, UMaine will accept up to six credits from an outside institution and up to 12 credits of coursework taken at the University of Maine prior to matriculation. You must have earned a grade of “B” or higher (grades lower than a B do not transfer).
To submit transcripts to the University of Maine Graduate School, upload unofficial transcripts during your initial online application. Request official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities to be sent directly by the issuing institution electronically to graduate@maine.edu or by mail to University of Maine Graduate School, 5775 Stodder Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5775.
Note: Program requirements and course equivalents are subject to change. An official evaluation of transfer credit will be provided after your admission to UMaine.
If you’re currently enrolled at another institution and want to take one or more online courses, then the non-degree route might be the best fit for you.
To transition to a degree or certificate program, you will need to submit an admissions application to the University of Maine. If you are interested in applying to graduate programs, please visit the Graduate Admissions website. If you are interested in applying to undergraduate programs, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website.
Other Questions
To find the right program at the University of Maine, evaluate your career goals, review the programs offered online, and set up a meeting with one of our UMaineOnline Advisors, who will work with you one-on-one to evaluate your options based on your unique needs, academic history, and career goals.
The timeline depends on whether you’re a first-year, transfer, or international student.
You can find the timeline and application information at umaine.edu/admissions/apply.
The general admission requirements for undergraduate students, including first-year and transfer applicants, include:
- a completed application (either the ApplyMaine Application, the Common Application, ReActivation Form, or our Certificate Program Application)
- an official high school transcript
- official college transcripts for all attempted college coursework
- a school recommendation (first-year applicants only)
- an essay or personal statement is recommended
However, admissions requirements can vary from program to program. We recommend checking in with the program, department, or advisor before starting your application.
For programs with rolling admissions, reviews begin as soon as all application materials are received. Please allow one-two weeks for the processing of your application. This time frame may be shorter if you submit a complete application and possibly longer during peak application periods. Continue to log in to your application dashboard to track any missing supplemental materials.
Most graduate programs require an online application, essay, current resume, and official academic transcripts from all institutions attended. You can find an application checklist on the Graduate School’s website.
However, admissions requirements can vary from program to program. We recommend checking in with the program, department, or advisor before starting your application.
Brightspace is the learning management system on which online classes will be held. You can learn how to use Brightspace by completing the new online student orientation after you’ve activated your University of Maine Systems account.
You can find an additional Brightspace tutorial at courses.maine.edu.
MaineStreet is the portal where you can manage your personal information and register for classes. Current students can find how-to guides by logging into Google Docs with their @maine.edu account and clicking here.
You can find instructions on how to activate your UMS accounts at umaine.edu/admissions/accepted-students/activate-your-accounts.
Questions?
Email dlladvising@maine.edu
