Program Details
Choose the program that works for you.

Nursing Pathways Program
Students in the UMaine Machias Nursing Pathway program are admitted into the Liberal Studies Allied Health AA degree program at UMaine Machias and complete two semesters of designated Nursing Pathway courses. These courses consist of foundational science courses and general education courses. As first-year students enrolled at UMaine Machias, students will be billed at the UMaine Machias tuition rate, considered for UMaine Machias merit scholarships and reviewed for financial aid awards, and enroll in Nursing Pathways courses on the UMaine Machias campus. To complete the standard two-semester sequence, students must meet the math requirement to enroll in chemistry their first semester. In the spring of their first year, Nursing Pathway students complete the Nursing Progression form and meet state progression standards in order to move into the UMaine Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program (BSN).
Admission
Admission is competitive and space in the program is limited to 30 students. To be considered, students should have taken at least a standard college preparatory curriculum in high school, completed two lab sciences including biology and earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher with grades of B or
better in science, math and English courses. Also considered will be the rigor of the high school coursework, co-curricular and extracurricular activities, work experience, the school recommendation and the essay. SAT and ACT test results are optional.
Mathematics Readiness
For Nursing Pathways Program
To demonstrate mathematics readiness to enroll in chemistry in the first semester, students can do any of the following: present a score of 530 or higher on the SAT math exam or 21 or higher on the ACT math exam, take the UMaine ALEKS math placement test by June 1 and score 45 or higher, or successfully complete a College Algebra course over the summer prior to starting at UMaine Machias in the fall. Students who are not able to meet the mathematics requirement will take MAT 111 College Algebra before transferring to the nursing program in Orono and may have to attend UMaine Machias for an additional semester.
Progression to the UMaine BSN program
Pathway students who have met the progression criteria outlined in the UMaine Machias Nursing Pathway Handbook will submit a progression form in their second semester in preparation for the UMaine Nursing program the following year.
UMaine Machias Coursework
2 Semesters
Fall Semester – UMaine Machias AA Liberal Studies/Allied Health Courses:
Total Credits: 12
Spring Semester- UMaine Machias AA Liberal Studies/Allied Health Courses:
Total Credits: 13
A minimum grade of C- (C for English Composition) is required for UMaine to award transfer credit, Nursing students are expected to meet the School of Nursing standard of a grade of C or better for courses to count toward their Nursing program. To meet progression requirements, students are expected to earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 in BIO 117, CHY 101 and BIO 221. Students who do not meet the Mathematics prerequisite to enroll in Chemistry in their first semester will take College Algebra and may have an additional semester added to the UMaine Machias portion of their program.
Downeast nursing track
Earn a dual degree in College Studies and Nursing with UMaine Machias and University of Maine at Augusta. Designed for those interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) while living and working in the Downeast Region, the Downeast Nursing Track allows students to simultaneously complete their BSN and a liberal arts college studies degree.
Built with flexibility in mind, in-person and online courses will be offered through UMaine Machias for liberal arts courses. Nursing- specific training will be offered through UMA online and in clinical training at the Ellsworth Center Nursing Simulation Lab.
How it works
Students in the Downeast Nursing Track will complete two degrees at the same time: a Bachelor of College Studies through UMaine Machias, and a BSN through UMA.