Apply to the UMaine Graduate School

Whether you are ready to pursue a degree, certificate, or just a few graduate-level courses, the University of Maine has a large number of options available so you can make your mark on the world.

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A bachelor’s degree is required to complete a graduate-level degree or non-degree study.

application checklist

Review the standard requirements and any additional per program.

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Additional supplementary application materials may be required for international applicants.

Applying to Graduate School is as easy as 1, 2, 3!

One: Complete your research

  • Take a look at what graduate studies at the University of Maine has to offer.
  • Determine the type of application you should submit.
  • Contact your intended program or review their website for additional supporting materials and requirements.
  • Confirm the deadline for your program of interest. The table below indicates when you may begin to apply for a specific term. Application deadlines vary and are set by the academic unit and can be found in the program description.
Application TermSummer ’25Fall ’25Spring ’26Summer ’26Fall ’26
Applications OpenJuly 1, 24Feb 1, 24Feb 1, 25July 1, 25Feb 1, 25
Search for application deadlines by department
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Two: Apply online

  • Prepare your essay, resume, recommendation letters, transcripts, test scores, and any additional application materials that may be required.
  • Create an account for the online application portal by entering your name and email address.
  • Pay the application fee or receive a fee waiver. Refer to the frequently asked questions section to see if you qualify for a fee waiver.
Apply Online

Three: Monitor your application

  • Log into your application dashboard to track missing supplemental materials and view your decision letter.
  • Please allow 1-2 weeks for credentials to be received and 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 (December – February).

Materials submitted become the property of the University of Maine and are not returned to the applicant.

What type of applicant are you?

A complete degree application should include the following:

  • Completed online application including an essay and resume
  • Three letters of recommendation. Required for most programs. Check with your department about admission requirements before starting your application.
  • Official transcript of all previous college or university work
  • Official test scores if applicable
  • $65 application fee

Graduate certificate students are those whose interests are focused on professional preparation.  The certificate programs are between 9-18 credits in length, which may be applied to a graduate degree program.  A complete certificate application should include the following:

  • Completed online application including an essay and resume
  • Official transcript of all previous college or university work
  • $35 application fee
  • Certain programs may require additional supporting materials. Please contact the program coordinator for more information.
Learn more about certificate and non-degree applications

For students who have broken enrollment, a readmit application must be submitted before being allowed to continue working toward the degree. A complete readmit application should include the following:

  • Completed online application including an essay and resume
  • $65 application fee
  • Official as well as unofficial (to speed the admission process) transcript of any college or university work completed since the last enrollment at UMaine.

Readmit applicants may be asked to submit a degree application if the time period since the last semester of enrollment has been more than 10 years. Students who submitted the original degree application before 2010 should contact the Graduate School to confirm whether all supporting materials are still on file.

Graduate non-degree students are those whose interest in advanced study is not related to a degree program, or whose previous background or work does not immediately qualify them for admission to the Graduate School.  A complete non-degree application should include the following:

  • Completed online application
  • Proof of bachelor’s degree
  • $35 application fee
Learn more about certificate and non-degree applications

A student in good standing in another recognized international graduate school who wishes to enroll for a limited number of course credits, and who plans to resume work at the school of original admission, may be admitted as a visiting graduate student.  A complete visiting graduate student application should include the following:

Domestic visiting graduate students should complete a non-degree application.

In addition to the standard requirements for graduate study at the University of Maine, international students may be required to provide the following additional materials.

For Non-US Transcripts

Students applying to UMaine who have previously attended an institution outside of the U.S.A. whose transcripts are not in English or have not been professionally translated into English need to contact a professional credential evaluation service to obtain a professional course-by-course evaluation of all university-level work from a professional credential evaluation service with NACES membership. Please note that departments reserve the right to request an evaluation of your transcripts at any time, even if they are in English. See the list of Credential Evaluation Agencies.

We currently have a discount through IEE available to students.

Official English Proficiency Scores

Official English proficiency examination scores are required unless you have received a degree from an English-speaking institution.

Academic units may request English proficiency examination scores from those who received a degree from an English-speaking institution if graduate examination scores are below average.

We accept the following score reports directly from the testing agency:

  • TOEFL – UMaine institution code: 3916
  • IELTS – UMaine institution code: 5775 Stodder Hall, Orono, ME 04469
  • PTE Academic – UMaine institution code: 5775 Stodder Hall, Orono, ME 04469

Documentation for the I-20

  • A copy of your passport or visa to aid in processing I-20 paperwork.
  • The Affidavit of Support is to be submitted through our online portal at the time of admission. An estimate of expenses can be found on the Office of International Programs website. The I-20 will not be issued until original bank statements, affidavits of support, or other current financial documents are received.
  • Indicate within the application any dependents that will be joining you.

PLEASE NOTE: Total processing time for I-20 paperwork is at least 6 weeks. Admitted international students seeking an I-20 should submit their completed paperwork no later than 6 weeks prior to the start of the semester to allow time for processing, completion, and shipping of documents.

Admissions deferrals will only be granted if financial documentation has been submitted by the following deadlines:

Application TermSpring 2025Fall 2025Spring 2026Fall 2026
Financial Documentation DeadlineNovember 15, 2024July 15, 2025November 15, 2025July 15, 2026