Academic Support Services

Academic Assessment

The Office of Academic Assessment coordinates the administration of various testing programs, such as USM’s Mathematics Placement Program (e.g., Accuplacer Math Tests) for incoming and transfer students, in addition to certification and national tests for graduating students (e.g., Miller Analogies Test, GRE Subject Tests, LSAT, and others). Students are encouraged to contact the Office-Testing Room at 240 Luther Bonney Hall for testing information, or visit our Website for test registration and schedules.

The Office of Academic Assessment also conducts institutional assessment studies, administers student surveys, assists departments in evaluating courses and programs, develops tests and assessment instruments, and provides technical support to the faculty for their tenure and promotion. Office location: 45 Exeter Street.

Advising

Students who have not declared a major are provided with a professional academic advisor. Students are assisted in the development of educational and early career goals as well as the selection of an appropriate major. Students should be ready to declare prior to reaching junior standing at the University. Once students declare their major they will also be assigned a faculty advisor in their major department.

Students admitted conditionally are also provided with a professional academic advisor. Our focus is academic success and support for all participants in the conditional admission program and we offer several key elements to help students succeed. These include a developmental approach to advising, courses to strengthen academic performance, and carefully selected course schedules. Students admitted conditionally will have a personalized academic support plan. Upon completion of the requirements of the academic support plan, students are transitioned from conditional status and are also assigned a faculty advisor in their major department.

Professional academic advisors are available to assist non-degree students upon request.

Services are available in person, online, and through video conferencing. Learn more about Advising by visiting our website, on campus, by email at usm.advising@maine.edu or via phone in 137 Luther Bonney Hall on the Portland campus (207-780-4040), 119 Bailey Hall on the Gorham campus (207-780-4555), and 119 Lewiston-Auburn Campus in Lewiston (207-753-6536).

Career & Employment Hub

The USM Career & Employment Hub helps students and alumni connect to their future by offering a variety of services such as career exploration, finding the right internship, polishing a resume, preparing for job interviews, and more. The Career Hub is focused on delivering career education and cultivating professional development skills. They do this by providing the knowledge and experiences necessary for a successful career, including:

• Exploring and connecting majors to careers

• Administering and interpreting career assessments

• Crafting a dynamic cover letter and resume

• Job and internship search strategies

• Developing networking and interview skills

• Cultivating professional skills

• Coaching during career transitions

Center for Technology Enhanced Learning (CTEL)

The Center for Technology Enhanced Learning supports high quality online teaching and provides guidance and effective practices for using technology to support learning. CTEL’s Learning Design team has deep roots in the science of learning, and is avaliable to consult with faculty on all aspects of developing and delivering instruction. CTEL works closely with other USM units including Glickman Library, ITMS, Learning Commons, and the Center for Collaboration and Development. CTEL delivers year-round programming using various workshop formats. Contact CTEL by phone: (207) 780-4540, email: ctelhelp@maine.edu, or online.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) office helps University of Southern Maine students earn academic credit for college-level learning acquired outside of the classroom through work and life experience. Options to earn credit includes exams, credential review, and academic portfolios. The awarding of CPL credit is based on a students’ demonstration and documentation of college-level learning, not on experience or positions held. Prior learning options are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid, and credits earned through CPL do not affect GPA. Successfully completed academic portfolios and challenge exams may count toward the Credits in Residence (Academic Residency) requirements.

For more information, please visit our website (https://usm.maine.edu/credit-prior-learning) or contact the CPL office at priorlearningusm@maine.edu or 207-780-4663.

Examinations

The CPL office posts credit to student transcripts for documented passing scores for several different standardized exam programs including: 

Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International (AICE), CLEP, DSST, BYU FLATS, ACTFL OPI, HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) Chinese Proficiency Test, American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI), and challenge exams designed by USM faculty.

Credential Review

USM students may be able to earn credit for some licenses, certificates, and other credentials from organizations outside the University if these credentials represent learning that is comparable to that encountered in the college classroom.  Students who have earned credentials or certifications from work or life experience may submit them to the CPL office for review.

The submission of credential documentation does not guarantee the awarding of credit.

Academic Portfolio Assessment

Academic portfolios are documents degree-seeking students create to show how learning from their professional experiences, community work, or their own personal interests meets one or more of their degree requirements. Depending on the degree plan, portfolios may be used to fulfill major, USM core, or general elective credit requirements and usually take the form of independent writing projects. In certain cases, visual or oral demonstrations may be approved by appropriate faculty and/or the CPL Director.

Military Credits

Official military transcripts are reviewed by USM’s Military-Affiliated Student Hub. Please see below for more information.

NOTE: USM’s Credit for Prior Learning office reserves the right to revise, amend, or change items set forth in our policies, procedures, and equivalencies at any time.

Disability Services Center

The Disability Services Center (DSC) provides a wide range of services to students with attentional, learning, physical, psychological, sensory, or other health-related disabilities. Students with disabilities who want to learn about our services and request accommodations are encouraged to contact the DSC to schedule an initial appointment. Visit the DSC website to learn more about requesting academic or housing accommodations.

Disability Services Center (DSC)
242 Luther Bonney Hall, Portland
207-780-4706, 207-780-5646 (TTY)
email: dsc-usm@maine.edu

usm.maine.edu/dsc
fax: 207-780-4403

Information Technology

The Information Technology Department provides a variety of technology support services to students, faculty, and staff at the University of Southern Maine including access to secure wireless internet, Google Productivity Suite, Microsoft Office, and much more.

General use computer labs are available for all students, faculty, and staff across all University of Southern Maine Campuses. These lab spaces include Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh computers as well as a wide range of commonly used academic software applications available to all students, faculty, and staff. Some locations are optimized for students who would like to connect their personal laptops to an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Each lab location also includes a black and white or color printer for a nominal fee using a University of Southern Maine Campus Card. Computer classrooms are also available at all University of Southern Maine Campuses for class activity periods.

The USM IT Help Desk, currently located on the 3rd floor of the Glickman Library on the Portland campus, assists all faculty, staff, and students with common computer issues. Some examples of support provided include University login issues, e-mail issues, and Internet connectivity issues.

There are a number of ways to connect with USM: IT support including:

By phone at 207-780-4029

By e-mail at help@maine.edu

Online chat can be found at http://usm.maine.edu/computing/helpdesk.

For more information about any of the services offered by USM:-IT, please visit us at our website at http://itsupport.maine.edu

Instructional Technology and Media Services

The Instructional Technology and Media Services (ITMS) Department provides support for classroom and instructional technology for the academic programs of the University. This support includes group or individual training sessions on use of technology in Portland, Gorham, or Lewiston-Auburn.

Other services include the delivery and maintenance of classroom equipment on all three campuses, equipment loaning, equipment installation, organizing and running events in Hannaford Hall and around campus. Please visit the ITMS USM Web site for more information. ITMS staff are available by calling (207) 780-4280 or by visiting one of our offices.

Portland: 141 Luther Bonney Hall or Gorham: 1 Bailey Hall

Learning Resources and Academic Assistance: The Learning Commons

The spaces, services, and resources of The Learning Commons are designed to foster collaborative and active learning. Located in the University of Southern Maine Libraries, The Learning Commons is also home to USM’s peer academic support services. In addition to subject-based tutoring, we offer academic coaching, technology assistance, and research guidance, as well as reservable group study spaces and community computers. While Physically located in Bailey hall in Gorham, the Glickman Library in Portland, and the Library at Lewiston-Auburn Campus, many of our services (including tutoring!) are also avaliable online.

Tutoring at USM

The tutoring service at The Learning Commons is a peer support service, meaning that all of our tutors are current USM students who have completed a nationally-accredited tutor training program. We have over 50 tutors who are able to provide assistance in numerous subject areas, including (but not limited to) Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Nursing, Accounting, and Finance. Appointments are available in Gorham, Portland, and online via Zoom.

USM students can use the self-service online calendars to easily view available appointments and schedule a time with a tutor (the Tutoring: Subject-Based Assistance and Tutoring: Writing Assistance links can be found in the MyUSM Portal under the USM Quick Links tab, as well as on the right-hand side of the USM Brightspace landing page). All courses for which tutoring is offered are listed on the scheduling calendar and are updated each semester. For guidance with scheduling, please visit https://usm.maine.edu/learning-commons/schedule-an-appointment/.

Writing Assistance at USM

Writing works best when it’s a collaborative process. All of our Writing Assistants are current USM students who have been trained to help at any stage of the writing process, from generating ideas at the very beginning to providing a reader’s perspective on the final draft. Writing Assistants are also able to work with English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to practice vocabulary and pronunciation.

Similar to tutoring, Writing Assistance is available in Gorham, Portland, and online via Zoom. For guidance with scheduling, please visit https://usm.maine.edu/learning-commons/schedule-an-appointment/.

Technology and Research Assistance

The Learning Commons offers instruction on many technologies used at USM, including Microsoft Office programs, Google applications, software used in online courses, and other tools related to student academic needs. Students can schedule an appointment with a Technology Coach for 1:1 guidance.

College-level research involves finding appropriate peer-reviewed sources. Our team of Research Librarians in Portland, Gorham, or Lewiston-Auburn can save students a great deal of time by directing them to the best sources for their research topic, as well as showing them how to use the Library’s research tools. Librarians are avaliable to help students anytime during library hours, in person, by phone, email, or chat. Students can also meet with a Learning Commons Navigator at the Portland campus location. A Learning Commons Navigator is a current USM student trained in guiding peers through the initial steps of conducting academic research. Visit https://usm.maine.edu/library/ for more information on library support and resources.

Academic Success Strategies and Resources

We have numerous online resources dedicated to becoming an “AGILE learner” (Academic Gains through Improved Learning Effectiveness), which does a deep dive into how learning works, along with specific strategies for reading actively, taking effective notes, preparing for exams, and more!

Additionally, the “Becoming a Successful Learner” virtual series in Brightspace can help USM students navigate the demands, technologies, and opportunities of being a college learner. The modules in this series include guidance on using effective learning strategies, navigating the Brightspace learning environment, collaborating with others via Zoom and Google tools, and preparing for the semester. Enrolling in the “Becoming a Successful Learner” course on USM’s Brightspace landing page is the first step to gaining access to the modules.

Every Brightspace course page also has a direct link to our “Academic Support Resources” within the “Course Resources” tab.

Students can also increase their academic skills and learn new strategies by scheduling an appointment with a Peer Academic Coach.

Group Study Rooms

There are a number of group study rooms within the USM Libraries. All USM students can use any of these privately enclosed spaces to study in groups or to work collaboratively on projects.

To view or reserve one of these spaces, please visit the USM Library page and select Reserve a Study Room.

For questions regarding Learning Commons resources and services, please call (207)780-4288 or email usmlc@maine.edu.

Military-Affiliated Student Hub

USM’s Military-Affiliated Student Hub (M.A.S.H., formerly Veteran’s Services) provides wraparound support to student veterans, service members, and their families.

This team of School Certifying Officials and work-study students is trained to support students in navigating educational benefits including the GI Bill, tuition assistance for members of the National Guard and Reserves, dependents’ benefits, and veteran-and-military-focused scholarships. Students contacting M.A.S.H. can expect:

• Educational benefit certification to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense
• Advising on benefit application and maximization
• Transition support from military culture to civilian life
• Military transcript review to award college credit where possible for previous experience
• Dedicated Veterans’ Resource Centers on all 3 campuses where students can study, relax, and find resources
• Green Zone military cultural awareness training for staff and faculty to promote a supportive learning environment.

Contact us:

39 Exeter St., Portland Campus
(207) 780-4471
usm.veterans@maine.edu
usm.maine.edu/veterans

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is avaliable at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

University Libraries: Centers of Learning, Research, and Technology

The University Libraries provide a full range of resources and services in person and remotely. The Libraries are open seven days per week and are conveniently located on each of USM’s three campuses (Gorham, Portland, Lewiston-Auburn).

The Libraries offer a variety of comfortable spaces for studying, group work, and assistance.

Find out more at University of Southern Maine Libraries.

Learning Commons at Glickman Library (2nd Floor) and Gorham Library offer research and writing help, learning assistance, group study rooms and computers and technology support. Similar services are offered at the Lewiston-Auburn Library. Find out more at the Learning Commons.

Student Services include, but are not limited to:

• Research Help: drop-in, phone, email, chat, or schedule a one-on-one consultation with a librarian
• Anytime online access to databases and URSUS library catalog
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) from institutions around the state, the country, and the world, including Rapid ILL access to books, articles, and other materials via ILLiad
• Student Computers including full wireless access, printing, and scanning
• Learning Support including peer support, tutoring, AGILE, and PLAN
• Course Reserves, Textbooks on Reserve, and eReserves
• Group Study Rooms and study spaces

Collections and Resources:

• Over 2800 library databases
• Over 36,000 electronic journals via our databases with most articles available in full text
• URSUS Catalog access to 423,000 books in USM’s collections, supplemented by more than 1.5 million print titles held in the libraries of the other campuses of the University of Maine System, the Maine State Library, and the Bangor Public Library with two or three day intercampus delivery
• E-Books, audiobooks, and streaming video
• USM Digital Commons
• Special Collections consist of rare books and manuscripts collection, the University Archives and the Jean Byers Sampson Center for Diversity in Maine.
• The Franco Collection at the Lewiston-Auburn Campus preserves and promotes the culture and heritage of Maine’s Franco population. It holds a wide range of archive and research materials, and it sponsors a variety of events that promote the history and culture of Franco-Americans.
• Maker Innovation Studio (MIST), 5th floor Science Building (and a satellite space in 519 Glickman Library) offers an experiential learning classroom, makerspace, a digital immersion lab, digital media lab, and an advanced digital fabrication and prototyping lab.