FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington will offer its first graduate degree program on the UMF campus starting this summer. That means area teachers can pursue a master’s degree without traveling outside western Maine.

The master of science in education program is based on the needs of teachers in western and central Maine.

The UMF faculty has been working this past year to plan the program and obtain its approval, said Pamela Wilson, UMF director of educational outreach.

The University of Maine System Board of Trustees approved the program at its meeting on Monday. UMF is requesting review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges but has already been working through the planning process, Wilson said. Approval is expected in March.

The program grew from a push by teachers and superintendents, Wilson said.

Local school districts either have or want to add a requirement for teachers to have a master’s degree with new teachers expected to complete their masters within 10 years, she said.

Information sessions with program details and the application process for this summer will be held Jan. 31 in the North Dining Hall. One will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and another from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to accommodate early childhood and child-care-center teachers. Completed applications must be received by March 15 with decisions made by April 30.

The program will be completed during summers and on some weeknights and Saturdays over three academic years. It is available to elementary, middle and secondary, early childhood and special education teachers.

Theodora J. Kalikow, University of Maine at Farmington president, stated in a release: “This program will offer teachers in this region of Maine new opportunities for excellence in education and professional growth.”

“UMF was looking for a significant and affordable way to meet the increasingly demanding educational needs of area educators and school districts,” said Katherine Yardley, UMF dean of the College of Education.

One factor in the program’s development, said Wilson, was a survey she did that showed a significant amount of money was being spent for graduate-level courses online.

The 36-credit master’s program consists of 24 credits in core classes and 12 credits in one of four concentrations: educational technology, literature and literacy, school administration or one designed by a participant.

More information on the program can be found at http://masters.farmington.edu, or contact Wilson at 778-7186, or e-mail [email protected].