Academic Assessment
The Office of Academic Assessment administers campus-wide student surveys for institutional improvement, conducts program-level assessment surveys, and coordinates the course evaluation process with academic departments. Any student who has questions about the standard course evaluation process can visit the following webpage.
Course Evaluation information: https://mycampus.maine.edu/group/usm/student-information
The Office of Academic Assessment does not administer any tests. For testing services regarding the Math Placement Exam (ALEKS Math Test), Language Placement Tests, and national or certification tests (CPCE, GRE, LSAT), see the following webpage redirecting students to the specific online registration instructions.
Testing Services: https://usm.maine.edu/office-academic-assessment/testing-services/
Academic Advising
The University of Southern Maine (USM) is committed to providing comprehensive academic advising to support students of all backgrounds, experiences, and needs. Advising at USM is student-centered, collaborative, and respectful, offering guidance in academic planning and early career exploration to help students achieve their educational and professional goals.
Advising begins before students start their academic journey at USM, with individualized Advising & Course Selection meetings serving as an academic orientation. Following this initial meeting, each student is assigned both a university advisor and a faculty advisor within their major department. These advisors work in partnership to build supportive relationships, develop academic plans, assist with course selection and experiential learning opportunities, and monitor students’ progress.
Throughout their time at USM, students are encouraged to maintain regular communication with both their university and faculty advisors, who serve as valuable resources in guiding them toward academic success and future career opportunities.
Advising for Undeclared, Conditionally Admitted, and Non-Degree Students
Students who have not yet declared a major are assigned a university advisor, who provides guidance in developing educational and early career goals, as well as selecting an appropriate major. Students are encouraged to declare a major before reaching junior standing. Upon declaring a major, they will also be assigned a faculty advisor within their academic department.
Students admitted under conditional admission are also assigned a university advisor. The advising process for these students focuses on academic success and support, incorporating key elements such as a developmental approach to advising, courses designed to strengthen academic performance, and carefully structured course schedules. Conditionally admitted students receive a personalized academic support plan to aid in their transition and success. Once they have met the requirements of this plan, they are moved out of conditional status and assigned a faculty advisor in their major department.
University academic advisors are also available to assist non-degree students upon request.
Website: https://usm.maine.edu/advising/
Email: usm.advising@maine.edu
Portland Office Gorham Office
Phone: 207-780-4040 Phone: 207-780-4555
Location: 137 Luther Bonney Hall Location: 119 Bailey Hall
Career & Employment Hub
The USM Career & Employment Hub helps students and alumni navigate their career paths by offering a range of services, including career exploration, internship guidance, résumé and cover letter support, job interview preparation, and more.
Our focus is on providing career education and fostering professional development through:
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Exploring career options and connecting majors to careers
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Peer Career Advising
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Paid Internships
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Administering and interpreting career assessments
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Crafting compelling résumés and cover letters
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Developing job and internship search strategies
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Strengthening networking and interview skills
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Cultivating professional skills for workplace success
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Advising during career transitions
Services are available in person, online, and via video conferencing.
Learn more or book an appointment today!
Location: McGoldrick Center for Career & Student Success, Suite 210, Portland Campus
Website:https://usm.maine.edu/career-employment-hub/
Phone: 207-228-8505
Email: usmcareers@maine.edu
Center of Academic Innovation
The Center for Academic Innovation provides learning design consulting and faculty development opportunities to help faculty to create engaging programs, courses and lesson plans grounded in evidence-based best practices for every modality. Our team aims to build strong collaborative relationships across the university to help faculty reach their pedagogical goals and support their commitment to excellence. Contact Academic Innovation by phone: (207) 780-4540, email: academic.innovation@maine.edu, or online at http://usmdl.org/.
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 include exams, credential review, and academic portfolios. The awarding of CPL credit is based on a student’s 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: A and AS levels), 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. Credits from credential review are awarded if they are applicable to a student’s degree progress. Students requesting an exception to this policy should contact the CPL office.
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) staff welcomes students with disabilities to contact us to request accommodations and learn about accommodations in college. The DSC provides a range of services to students with attentional, learning, physical, psychological, sensory, or other health-related disabilities. To request academic or housing accommodations complete the Accommodation Request Form on the DSC website. For more information, contact us at 207-780-4706 or dsc-usm@maine.edu or visit us at 242 Luther Bonney Hall in Portland.
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 macOS 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 faculty, staff, and students with common technology 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 itsupport.maine.edu.
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 scheduled and real-time support of classrooms, conference rooms and lecture halls for the academic programs of the University. This support includes group or individual training sessions on use of technology on the Portland, Gorham, or Lewiston-Auburn campuses.
Other services include the delivery and maintenance of classroom equipment on all three campuses, equipment loaning, light equipment maintenance and installation of equipment, organizing and running events in Hannaford Hall as well as various locations and around the campuses.
Contact:
Phone: (207) 780-4280
Email: usm-mediaservices-group@maine.edu
In-Person:
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 Glickman Library (Portland) and Bailey Hall (Gorham), many of our services-including tutoring-are also available online.
Peer Academic Support Services
Our peer academic support services provide free, student-to-student guidance in key academic areas:
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Subject-Based Tutoring: Available in a variety of disciplines, including (but not limited to) math, physics, chemistry, biology, nursing, and computer science. All tutors are current USM students who have completed a nationally accredited tutor training program.
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Writing Assistance: Writing Assistants support students at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to the final draft. They also work with English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) to practice vocabulary and pronunciation.
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Academic Coaching: Peer Academic Coaches and Adult Learner Coaches help students develop effective study strategies, improve time management skills, and enhance learning effectiveness.
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Technology Coaching: One-on-one instruction on academic technologies, including Brightspace, Microsoft Office, Google applications, and software used in online courses.
Appointments for tutoring, writing assistance, technology coaching, and academic coaching are available in Portland, Gorham, and online via Zoom.
Students can view available appointments and schedule a session through MyUSM Portal under the “USM Quick Links” tab or via the USM Brightspace student landing page.
For more details or scheduling guidance, visit:
usm.maine.edu/learning-commons/schedule-an-appointment.
Academic Success Strategies and Resources
We have numerous online resources dedicated to becoming an “AGILE learner” (Academic Gains through Improved Learning Effectiveness), which provide a deep dive into how learning works and offer practical strategies for maximizing academic success. The Study Skills & Learning Strategies webpage includes guidance on active reading, note-taking, attention and motivation, time management, and more.
Students can also strengthen their academic skills and explore new strategies by scheduling an appointment with a Peer Academic Coach.
For more information, visit the Study Skills and Learning Strategies webpage: usm.maine.edu/learning-commons/study-skills-learning-strategies.
Group Study Rooms at USM Libraries
USM students can reserve private group study rooms within USM Libraries and Learning Commons spaces for collaborative work and studying.
To view or reserve a study room, please visit the USM Library website at https://usm.maine.edu/library/ and select “Reserve a Study Room.”
Contact Us
For questions regarding Learning Commons resources and services, please call (207) 780-4228 or email usmlc@maine.edu. You may also view a comprehensive overview of resources and services at https://usm.maine.edu/learning-commons/.
Military-Affiliated Student Hub
The Military Affiliated Student Hub (M.A.S.H.) provides comprehensive support for military-connected students, including veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and dependents. Our team of School Certifying Officials and trained work-study students assist in navigating educational benefits and maximizing available resources.
Students engaging with M.A.S.H. can expect:
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Educational Benefit Certification - Assistance with certifying GI Bill® benefits, tuition assistance, and other military-affiliated funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
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Benefit Advising - Guidance on applying for and maximizing available educational benefits, including military-focused scholarships.
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Transition Support - Resources to help ease the shift from military to civilian academic life.
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Military Transcript Review - Evaluation of military training and experience for potential college credit.
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Veterans’ Resource Centers - Dedicated spaces on all three campuses where military-affiliated students can study, connect, and access support services.
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Green Zone Training - Military cultural awareness training for faculty and staff to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
For more information, visit usm.maine.edu/veterans.
39 Exeter St., Portland Campus
(207) 780-4471
usm.veterans@maine.edu
usm.maine.edu/military-affiliated-student-hub
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available 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
- Information Literacy instruction in person and online
- 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 250 library databases
- Over 99,100 electronic journals via our databases with most articles available in full text
- URSUS Catalog access to 390,000 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.
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