The University of Maine at Presque Isle is under review by its accreditor, the New England Commission of Higher Education, regarding its competency-based online YourPace program. The program has experienced significant expansion in recent years, growing from approximately 100 students in 2017 to around 4,000 students currently. NECHE indicated last month that the university requires commission approval before adding new offerings or locations related to competency-based education programs.
NECHE has requested detailed information from UMPI regarding faculty-to-student ratios, sources and volume of transfer credits, student completion timelines, and verification methods for coursework completion. The accreditor plans to conduct site visits to UMPI and two partner institutions—the Universities of Maine at Farmington and Fort Kent—that offer degrees through the YourPace program. The program’s appeal to students stems from its flexible structure, which allows learners to pay flat tuition for multiple courses completed during eight-week sessions and progress based on demonstrated competency rather than time spent in courses.
UMPI President Raymond Rice characterized the program as an essential innovation addressing Maine’s workforce needs and serving adult learners with significant work experience and transfer credits. He noted that approximately 87.5 percent of enrolled students reside outside Maine. Rice emphasized that many students bring 60 to 90 transfer credits from various sources, including military education and platforms such as Study.com and Sophia, which are recommended by the American Council on Education. Media coverage has previously raised concerns about the quality of courses from these transfer credit sources.
NECHE is simultaneously reconsidering its own policies on competency-based education, with potential changes expected early in 2027. The accreditor’s president stated that the review aims to balance innovation with academic integrity, and UMPI will need to comply with both current and new policies when it appears before the commission in April. University system officials have countered that the program has improved earnings and employability outcomes for more than 12,500 adults since its launch less than a decade ago.
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