Get College Credit with AIO’s Advanced Session

AIO is proud to partner with the University of Maine’s regional campus in Machias (UMM) to offer up to 23 rising juniors and seniors attending the advanced sessions of AIO the opportunity to earn 4 college credits through UMM’s Early College program. The University of Maine is Maine’s only Top Tier R1 research institution and credits awarded here are transferrable to any University or College that accepts outside credits.

This course is an interdisciplinary, hands-on introduction to oceanography. The schedule consists of several field-based lessons in oceanography, formal lectures and laboratory exercises. Students will use a variety of biological, physical and chemical sampling techniques

to study coastal and nearshore ecosystems. These will include rocky intertidal zones, beach deposits and Somes Sound. Lecture topics include biological, geological, physical and chemical oceanography. Laboratory exercises will focus on specific topics such as the anatomy of chondrichthyes (sharks) and echinoderm development. Students taking the session for credit will be required to complete additional course work along with a final exam. 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.

What are the costs associated with the college credit program?
The base tuition for this program is $3,300 in 2025, which includes a $100 service fee, payable to AIO. The fee for the 4 credits is over and above the AIO tuition.

The cost in 2024 for the 4 credits was $580 and paid directly to UMaine prior to the start of the program. The tuition for 2025 will be announced in the spring of 2025. You will need to set up an account at UMaine after you register at AIO and then the University will bill you prior to the start of the summer. The link will be sent when it’s available in early 2025.

How do I apply for the college credit program?
Choose the Advanced session for credit session at the AIO application/Active site. 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. In addition to the educator recommendation need for AIO acceptance, UMaine requires a guidance counselor’s recommendation as part of the account creation at UMaine.  They will send you a link for this during that process.

Scholarship Available at College of Atlantic for AIO Students
You may also be interested in a scholarship to College of the Atlantic (COA). Any student who receives a recommendation from AIO and is admitted to College of the Atlantic (COA) will receive a scholarship of $10,000 per year for up to four years. Learn more about the COA Scholarship.