Start your application process to the University of Southern Maine (USM) right here. Review deadlines and instructions to apply for a certificate program.

Undergraduate certificate

You must hold a high school diploma, GED, or HiSET to pursue these programs.

Post-baccalaureate certificate

You must hold a bachelor’s degree to pursue these programs.

Certificate of Graduate Study

You must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher to pursue these programs.

Certificate of Advanced Study

You must hold a master’s degree or higher to pursue these programs.

Undergraduate certificate application process
Our undergraduate certificate programs provide you with a solid foundation in your chosen area of study and a variety of career fields. You can pursue these programs in conjunction with a bachelor’s degree program at USM or independently.

Application

Where to send application materials

Requirements for all undergraduate certificate applicants

  • Complete our online application
  • Submit official transcripts, or copies of official transcripts, from your secondary school and/or all colleges and universities from which you received a degree
  • Submit official transcripts of copies of official transcripts for one or both of the following:
    • Your high school (secondary school) transcript, General Education Diploma (GED), or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
      • Homeschool transcripts must state your date of graduation or annual assessment of courses completed, and be signed by the person responsible for your homeschooling
    • All colleges and universities from which you received a degree

Additional requirements for applicants with an international college transcript

  • Submit an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) transcript analysis agency
  • Evaluations must be course-by-course and provide verification that the degree you hold is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
  • NOTE: Some universities in Canada are exempt

Additional requirements for specific programs

  • Event Planning and Management: Include your résumé
  • Gerontology: Include your résumé
  • Risk Management and Insurance: You cannot enroll in this program if you’re currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at USM. However, you could instead consider the Risk Management and Insurance Minor.

Please note: If you're enrolled solely in an undergraduate certificate program, you are not eligible for federal financial aid or scholarships.

If your first language is not English, you may be required to provide test scores or credentials for English language proficiency — unless you hold a degree from an institution with English instruction.

We accept the following test scores and qualifications for admission into undergraduate programs:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    • Scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test
    • Scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test
    • Scores of 213 or higher on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Scores of 6.5 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)
    • Scores of 60 or higher
  • Duolingo Test of English
    • Scores of 105 or higher 
    • NOTE: We are accepting Duolingo scores on a trial basis for the 2022–23 academic year

If you have questions regarding your experience and our requirements, email the Office of Admissions.

It's free to apply for admission, including:

  • In-state
  • Out-of-state
  • International
  • Re-application
  • Reactivation

It's your responsibility to ensure your application is complete by the appropriate program deadline. To check the status of your submitted application, follow these steps:

  1. Activate your account
    • Look for a letter or email from the Office of Admissions with the information you'll need for this step
  2. Log in to MaineStreet 
    • Your application status and any missing application materials will appear as To Do items
    • Select Student Self-Service
      • If you choose the mobile-friendly Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Dos widget block
      • If you choose the Classic Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Do List block on the right side of your screen
Post-baccalaureate undergraduate certificate application process
Our post-baccalaureate undergraduate certificate programs provide you with a solid foundation in your chosen area of study and a variety of career fields. You must hold a bachelor’s degree to pursue these programs.

Application

Where to send application materials

Requirements for all undergraduate certificate applicants

  • Complete our online application
  • Submit official transcripts, or copies of official transcripts, from your secondary school and/or all colleges and universities from which you received a degree
  • Submit official transcripts of copies of official transcripts for one or both of the following:
    • Your high school (secondary school) transcript, General Education Diploma (GED), or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
      • Homeschool transcripts must state your date of graduation or annual assessment of courses completed, and be signed by the person responsible for your homeschooling
    • All colleges and universities from which you received a degree

Additional requirements for applicants with an international college transcript

  • Submit an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) transcript analysis agency
  • Evaluations must be course-by-course and provide verification that the degree you hold is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
  • NOTE: Some universities in Canada are exempt

Additional requirements for specific programs

  • Accounting: You cannot enroll in this program if you’re currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at USM. However, you could instead consider the Advanced Accounting Minor.
  • Actuarial Science: You cannot enroll in this program if you’re currently enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program at USM. However, you could instead consider the Actuarial Science Minor.

Please note: If you're enrolled solely in an undergraduate certificate program, you are not eligible for federal financial aid or scholarships.

If your first language is not English, you may be required to provide test scores or credentials for English language proficiency — unless you hold a degree from an institution with English instruction.

We accept the following test scores and qualifications for admission into undergraduate programs:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    • Scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test
    • Scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test
    • Scores of 213 or higher on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Scores of 6.5 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)
    • Scores of 60 or higher
  • Duolingo Test of English
    • Scores of 105 or higher 
    • NOTE: We are accepting Duolingo scores on a trial basis for the 2022–23 academic year

If you have questions regarding your experience and our requirements, email the Office of Admissions.

It's free to apply for admission, including:

  • In-state
  • Out-of-state
  • International
  • Re-application
  • Reactivation

It's your responsibility to ensure your application is complete by the appropriate program deadline. To check the status of your submitted application, follow these steps:

  1. Activate your account
    • Look for a letter or email from the Office of Admissions with the information you'll need for this step
  2. Log in to MaineStreet 
    • Your application status and any missing application materials will appear as To Do items
    • Select Student Self-Service
      • If you choose the mobile-friendly Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Dos widget block
      • If you choose the Classic Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Do List block on the right side of your screen
Certificate of Graduate Study application process
You must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher to pursue these programs.

Application

Where to send application materials

  • Complete our online application
  • Select your program for all requirements and deadlines:
Application instructions: Graduate certificates

If your first language is not English, you may be required to provide test scores or credentials for English language proficiency — unless you hold a degree from an institution with English instruction.

We accept the following test scores and qualifications for admission into undergraduate programs:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    • Scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test
    • Scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test
    • Scores of 213 or higher on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Scores of 6.5 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)
    • Scores of 60 or higher
  • Duolingo Test of English
    • Scores of 105 or higher 
    • NOTE: We are accepting Duolingo scores on a trial basis for the 2022–23 academic year

If you have questions regarding your experience and our requirements, email the Office of Admissions.

It's free to apply for admission, including:

  • In-state
  • Out-of-state
  • International
  • Re-application
  • Reactivation

It's your responsibility to ensure your application is complete by the appropriate program deadline. To check the status of your submitted application, follow these steps:

  1. Activate your account
    • Look for a letter or email from the Office of Admissions with the information you'll need for this step
  2. Log in to MaineStreet 
    • Your application status and any missing application materials will appear as To Do items
    • Select Student Self-Service
      • If you choose the mobile-friendly Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Dos widget block
      • If you choose the Classic Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Do List block on the right side of your screen
Certificate of Advanced Study application process
You must hold a master’s degree or higher to pursue these programs.

Application

Where to send application materials

  • Complete our online application
  • Select your program for all requirements and deadlines:
Application instructions: Advanced study certificates

If you are an international student or your first language is not English, please review the additional requirements below.

Application requirements and deadlines vary by program. See the section above to browse by program. Fully online programs will not meet eligibility for a student visa (I-20). On-campus courses will be required.

In addition to the standard application materials, international students must also provide the following materials before their application will be reviewed:

Additional requirements for applicants with an international college transcript

  • Submit an official evaluation of college-level transcripts approved by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) transcript analysis agency
  • Evaluations must be course-by-course and provide verification that the degree you hold is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in the United States.
  • NOTE: Some universities in Canada are exempt

Additional requirements for international transfer applicants

If you currently hold an F-1 student visa in the United States and wish to transfer to USM from another college or university, you will need to complete a transfer form with the foreign student advisor at your current school.

Request transfer form

International admission representatives

We maintain relationships with international student recruitment agencies in several countries. These agencies are authorized to help you determine if the University of Southern Maine is the right choice for you.

Browse agencies

If your first language is not English, you may be required to provide test scores or credentials for English language proficiency — unless you hold a degree from an institution with English instruction.

We accept the following test scores and qualifications for admission into undergraduate programs:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    • Scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test
    • Scores of 550 or higher on the paper-based test
    • Scores of 213 or higher on the computer-based test
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Scores of 6.5 or higher
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE)
    • Scores of 60 or higher
  • Duolingo Test of English
    • Scores of 105 or higher 
    • NOTE: We are accepting Duolingo scores on a trial basis for the 2022–23 academic year

If you have questions regarding your experience and our requirements, email the Office of Admissions.

It's free to apply for admission, including:

  • In-state
  • Out-of-state
  • International
  • Re-application
  • Reactivation

It's your responsibility to ensure your application is complete by the appropriate program deadline. To check the status of your submitted application, follow these steps:

  1. Activate your account
    • Look for a letter or email from the Office of Admissions with the information you'll need for this step
  2. Log in to MaineStreet 
    • Your application status and any missing application materials will appear as To Do items
    • Select Student Self-Service
      • If you choose the mobile-friendly Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Dos widget block
      • If you choose the Classic Student Center experience:
        • Look for the To Do List block on the right side of your screen

Send us your admission materials

If we receive any supporting documents before your application arrives, we'll keep them in a holding file until we receive your application.

If you choose to collect all your application materials yourself before mailing or delivering everything to us at once, do not open your official transcripts* or recommendation letters*.

NOTE: All your application materials become the property of the University of Southern Maine once you submit them and will not be returned.

We must receive official transcripts* and recommendation letters* in the original, sealed envelope. If an envelope is opened before it arrives, we'll put your application review on hold until we receive a new, sealed document.

Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

Official transcripts* and recommendation letters* must be emailed to us directly from the institution or author. If an email is forwarded to us from your account, we'll put your application review on hold until we receive a new email directly from the source.

Any of the following items may also be emailed to edocs@maine.edu:

  • Essays
  • Résumés
  • Additional supporting documents

*To be considered "official," transcripts must be sent by your previous institution through a secure clearing house; recommendation letters must be sealed or sent directly by the author. Our graduate admission application also offers an option to submit supporting documents through CollegeNET.

Do you need more information? Our friendly Admissions team is happy to help!
Contact us

The University of Southern Maine is an EEO/AA institution and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information or veteran’s status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 Boudreau Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754; Phone: 207-581-1226; TTY: 711 (Maine Relay System).