The University of Maine has launched a new Low-Residency Master of Business Administration program aimed at working professionals who want the flexibility of online learning without sacrificing in-person collaboration and networking.
The Low-Residency MaineMBA combines asynchronous online coursework with three required, multi-day residencies held at the Maine Center in Portland’s Old Port. The cohort-based program concludes with the MaineMBA Academy, a capstone experience centered on real-world consulting projects and leadership development.
The new program builds on the momentum of UMS TRANSFORMS, a University of Maine System initiative supported by the Harold Alfond Foundation that established the MaineMBA as the cornerstone of a statewide, accredited Graduate School of Business based in Portland.
University leaders said the new low-residency program was developed in response to growing demand from professionals seeking career advancement while continuing to work full time, with a strong preference for in-person learning.
“We built this program on the success of our MaineMBA Academy,” said Andrew King, director of the MaineMBA, “where the hands-on, face-to-face experiences with peers, faculty, and industry clients has been transformative for our students — and only possible with the convenience of online flexibility that is built into it.”
University administrators said the program also reflects a broader effort to align graduate education with the needs of Maine’s business community and workforce.
“The Low-Residency MaineMBA enables us to deliver a rigorous, applied graduate education that fits the realities of working professionals,” said Jason Harkins, executive dean of the Maine Business School and dean of the Graduate School of Business. “Through a thoughtful mix of online learning and immersive, in-person experiences, students gain the skills, perspective, and relationships needed to lead in a rapidly evolving economy. Those connections will fuel individual careers while creating lasting value for Maine and beyond.”
The 30-credit program includes 24 credits of core MBA coursework and six elective credits. While most instruction is delivered online, the three multi-day required residencies focus on intensive workshops, team-based projects and networking with business and industry professionals. Coursework emphasizes applied learning through consulting projects, case studies and collaborative problem-solving.
Graduates are expected to pursue careers in executive leadership, operations management, finance, strategic planning, business development and data analysis across multiple sectors
Applications for the Low-Residency MaineMBA are now being accepted.
Contact: Marcus Wolf, 207.581.3721; marcus.wolf@maine.edu
