Get College Credit with AIO’s Advanced Session
Get A Head Start On College Credits With AIO and the University of Maine!
AIO is proud to partner with the University of Maine’s Early College Program to offer rising juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn four college credits through the University of Maine. This course is an interdisciplinary, hands-on introduction to oceanography that follows right along with our non-credit Advanced Session but with required, graded work.
The schedule consists of several field-based lessons in oceanography, formal lectures, and laboratory exercises. Students will engage in a variety of physical, chemical, biological, and geological oceanography activities which require them to complete written assignments, lab reports, a lab practical exam, and a final exam.
Students will get the opportunity to learn real-world sampling techniques in order to study coastal and nearshore ecosystems. Some lessons include studying rocky intertidal zones, beach deposits, and sampling in Somes Sound. Lecture topics include biological, geological, physical, and chemical oceanography topics like the ecological importance of the Gulf of Maine. Laboratory exercises will focus on specific topics such as the anatomy of cartilaginous fishes and cellular development of echinoderms. This is a graded course and, generally, a C- or higher is transferrable. Upon course completion, transcripts can be requested from the University of Maine.
How Much Does the College Credit Session Cost?
The base tuition for this program is $3,400, which includes a $100 service fee that is is part of your AIO tuition. There is an additional fee for the four credits due to the University of Maine before the program begins through their system.
The cost for the four credits is $596 in 2026. The fee is paid directly to the University of Maine prior to the start of the program. Students accepted into this program will be required to attend a video meeting with the University of Maine’s Early College Program in order to set up a UMaine online account.
How Do I Apply For the College Credit Program?
Choose the Advanced Session for College Credit on your AIO application on CampInTouch when you go to register. You’ll be sent the link to create an account at the University of Maine when they have the summer courses available in the spring.
Benefits of the College Credit Program
Students who participate in AIO’s Oceanography course for credit, earning at least a 3.0 GPA, will receive direct admission to both the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias campuses, creating a clear and accessible transition from high school into a University of Maine degree program (Students still need to submit a high school transcript to qualify for merit aid). In addition to earning transferable college credit while still in high school, AIO students may continue to complete courses at significantly reduced tuition rates through our expansive portfolio of online courses.
Early College courses are considered a major contributing factor in determining merit aid. UMaine merit aid is awarded through the admissions process and is based on a student’s academic performance, including GPA and the rigor of high school coursework. (At UMaine, merit scholarships typically range from $2,000 to $20,000+ per year, depending on student residency and academic profile.) Students who apply by the Early Action deadline are considered for the highest award ranges available.
Early College through UMaine creates opportunities for high school students that may not otherwise be accessible through a traditional high school experience. Find out more at: https://umaine.edu/earlycollege/