Husson, UMPI sign 4+1 agreements that increase transferability

Published on: August 13, 2014

PRESQUE ISLE — Officials with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and Husson University held a signing ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 13, in UMPI’s Alumni Room, finalizing two articulation agreements that increase transferability for UMPI students who want to continue their education in two of Husson’s master’s degree programs—its Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and its Master of Business Administration.

Where a typical course of study would take 4 years for a bachelor’s degree and 2 years for a master’s degree, these ‘4+1’ agreements will allow UMPI students to complete their two degrees in as little as 5 years.

Marie Hansen, Husson University's College of Business Dean, and Ray Rice, UMPI Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, led the official signing of the documents, which can be utilized by students starting Sept. 1.

“This agreement allows students to pre-plan their college careers extending to a master’s degree,” said Dean Hansen. “These two agreements create a seamless transition from an undergraduate program at the University of Maine in Presque Isle to Husson University, where students can fulfill goals of attaining either an MBA or Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. The format of this agreement allows for students to accelerate completion of an undergraduate and graduate degree in as little as five years. Access to the graduate degrees through Husson University at our Northern Maine location will expand the education opportunities for these students. Further, these degree pathways allow for students to be successful at both institutions.”

This is the first time UMPI and Husson have established articulation agreements and officials hope to see collaborative work that will benefit their students, and further increase transferability, in the future.

“This is the first of what we hope is a continuing partnership,” Provost Rice said. “Our collaborative work with Husson provides our students with an efficient, cost-effective, and local way to move on to a master’s degree and achieve their higher education goals. And they can now do this with the same ease a Husson student would experience transitioning from a bachelor’s to a master’s degree. The University of Maine System has made increased transferability a top priority, so we are quite pleased to serve as a partner in providing greater access to advanced degree programs to the people of Aroostook County through these agreements with Husson University.”

Both articulation agreements describe the course of study students need to follow at UMPI in order to complete their graduate work at Husson in a compressed time frame. Students would apply to the programs during the second semester of their junior year.

For more information about UMPI’s bachelor’s programs, visit www.umpi.edu. For more about Husson’s master’s programs, visit www.husson.edu.

For more than 100 years, Husson University has prepared future leaders to handle the challenges of tomorrow through innovative undergraduate and graduate degrees. With a commitment to delivering affordable classroom, online and experiential learning opportunities, Husson University has come to represent superior value in higher education. Our Bangor campus and off-campus satellite education centers in Southern Maine, Wells and Northern Maine provide advanced knowledge in business; health and education; pharmacy studies; science and humanities; as well as communication. In addition, Husson University has a robust adult learning program. For more information about educational opportunities that can lead to personal and professional success, visit Husson.edu.

The University of Maine at Presque Isle is an institution of opportunity where every student has the ability to thrive and succeed. UMPI specializes in personalized, technologically innovative learning and access to real-world career experience. A low student-to-teacher ratio and class sizes of 30 students or less, even in introductory-level courses, ensure lots of one-on-one interaction for each student. An invested, highly-motivated team of faculty and staff adds to the family-like atmosphere on campus and the feeling that you’re still part of the community even when you’re an online student taking classes from thousands of miles away. Located in the heart of northern Maine, the University of Maine at Presque Isle was established in 1903 as a state teacher’s school. The University now offers a wide range of liberal arts and professional programs, as well as several programs that are offered completely online. UMPI is one of the seven universities within the University of Maine System.