Frequently Asked Questions
About our Programs
We offer a broad range of programs, including workshops, certificate programs, and specialized training in leadership, communication, project management, grant writing, conflict resolution, restorative practices, workplace effectiveness, and other in-demand professional skills.
You can learn about current and upcoming programs on our website or by subscribing to our e-newsletter.
Yes! We can help you find or develop a program tailored to your employees, team members, or organization. To get started, submit a custom program request form.
Online programs provide the flexibility to learn from anywhere, making them ideal for busy professionals balancing work and personal commitments. Participants engage in live, interactive sessions with expert instructors, collaborate with peers, and gain practical skills they can apply immediately—all without the need to travel.
In-person professional development programs offer a hands-on, face-to-face learning experience that fosters collaboration, networking, and active participation. These programs provide direct interaction with instructors and fellow participants, creating opportunities for meaningful discussion, skill practice, and professional connections in a traditional classroom setting.
If you have more questions about the difference between in-person and online programs, feel free to contact us.
Our programs provide practical, career-focused training that helps you strengthen workplace skills and advance your career.
You can earn continuing education units (CEUs), micro-credentials, or a certificate of completion. These can be used to show your current or future employer the skills you’ve developed by participating in one of our programs.
To learn more, visit our Evidence of Learning page or contact us.
Evidence of learning is issued after successful completion of program requirements. For certificates of attendance, the instructor will verify your active participation in the program’s stated contact hours. CEU Transcripts are issued for individuals who have met instructional requirements and have submitted a request form and the required fee. Digital badges and microcredentials are verified by the instructor upon completion of the required activities, which may include assignments beyond the scope of the live program.
Our instructors are accomplished practitioners, educators, consultants, and industry leaders with extensive experience in their fields. You can see a list of our current instructors and learn about their experience and credentials on our instructor page.
Payment & Funding
Individuals registering independently must pay by credit or debit card through our secure online registration system.
If your employer is paying for your registration by purchase order or check, or if your employer is registering a group, please contact um.continuinged@maine.edu to request invoicing information.
Note: Group rates and invoicing are only available to employers. Contact us for more information.
Individuals registering independently must pay by credit or debit card through our secure online registration system. We accept American Express, Discover, Mastercard, and Visa.
If your employer is paying for your registration by purchase order or check, or if your employer is registering a group, please contact um.continuinged@maine.edu to request invoicing information.
Note: Group rates and invoicing are only available to employers. Contact us for more information.
There are several ways to make professional development more affordable. Eligible participants may qualify for workforce training funding through the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce and the Maine Workforce Development Compact (MWDC), University of Maine System employees may have access to additional funding through their employer, nontraditional students can explore scholarship opportunities through the Maine Community Foundation, and organizations can save with discounted group registration rates.
Learn more about these options on our Funding Support page.
You can receive a full refund if you notify us by email at least 10 days before the program start date. Refund requests received after the 10-day deadline cannot be honored.
If available, you can also transfer your registration and payment to a later session in lieu of a refund.
Registration, Participation & Attendance
For individual registration, you’ll need a credit or debit card for payment and a phone number and email address where you can be reached in the event of a program change or cancellation. We recommend providing an email address that you can check outside of your workplace.
Individuals will receive an automated email confirming their registration. An additional email series with reminders, information about pre-work or accessing materials, and reserving meals (if relevant) will begin between 2 (online programs) and 4 (in-person programs) weeks before the start of your program.
If not enough people register for a program, it will be canceled. If a program is canceled due to low enrollment, you will be notified at least three business days before the scheduled start date and receive a full refund.
If you need to withdraw from a program, please notify us in writing by emailing um.continuinged@maine.edu.
To receive a full refund, written notice of withdrawal must be received at least 10 days before the program start date. Refund requests submitted after this deadline cannot be accommodated.
If available, you can also transfer your registration and payment to a later session in lieu of a refund.
To receive CEUs, contact hours, or proof of attendance, participants are expected to attend the entire program and all of its sessions as scheduled.
Requests for make-up work, access to program recordings, or other alternatives will be considered only on a case-by-case basis in emergency situations and are not guaranteed.
If you know you can’t attend the entire program in advance, please consider withdrawing by emailing um.continuinged@maine.edu.
If there is an emergency or other unexpected circumstance that is preventing you from attending the entire program, please contact us at um.continuinged@maine.edu or 207.581.3167.
Our online programs are taught synchronously via Zoom. Participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone, as well as stable internet access.
We recommend becoming familiar with Zoom before the program begins, as tutorials are not included in our programs. You can find tutorials and other information about using Zoom at support.zoom.com.
Our online programs are taught synchronously via Zoom. Participants will need a computer with a camera and microphone, as well as stable internet access.
Our in-person programs may or may not require you to bring in writing materials, notepads, or documents. If materials are required, you’ll be notified via email confirming your registration.
In-person programs are typically held on a University of Maine System campus. You can find the exact location of an in-person program on the program’s webpage or in your confirmation email.
There are many hotels and short-term rentals in Orono and the surrounding area. You can also stay on campus at Hotel Ursa.
In-Person Programs
If the UMaine campus closes due to an emergency, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, we’ll notify you by email as soon as possible with information about whether the program will be postponed or canceled. If your program is canceled, you will receive a full refund.
Campus closure information will also be posted on the UMaine website.
Online Programs
Online programs delivered via Zoom typically continue as scheduled, even if the campus is closed. However, a program may be postponed or canceled if:
- The program facilitator or staff are unable to deliver the program due to widespread power or internet outages.
- Another emergency significantly disrupts Professional and Continuing Education operations or affects a majority of enrolled participants.
If one of these two events occurs, we’ll notify you by email as soon as possible with information about whether the program will be postponed or canceled. If your program is canceled, you will receive a full refund.
UMaine Professional and Continuing Education is committed to providing access to our services and programs for people with disabilities. If you need accommodations to attend and/or participate in a program, please contact us.
Although there isn’t a required dress code, we recommend business casual.
