University of Southern Maine
Portland, United States • Founded 1878 • World Rank #3929
Overview
Founded in 1878, the University of Southern Maine is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Portland (population range of 50,000-249,999 inhabitants), Maine.
This institution also has a branch campus in Gorham and Lewiston. Officially accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, University of Southern Maine (USM) is a medium-sized coeducational US higher education institution.
University of Southern Maine (USM) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 146-year-old US higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 80-89% making this US higher education organization a least selective institution.
International students are welcome to apply for enrollment. USM also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Need to mail, call, or visit University of Southern Maine? Address, phone, and digital contact options below. Religious and cultural accommodation queries route through specific student services.
Academic Details
University of Southern Maine's academic profile in numbers — useful for sizing the institution against your shortlist. Each figure links to a different facet of how the institution operates day to day.
Academic Structures
University of Southern Maine's academic units, organised by type. Recently formed faculties (post-merger or post-split) often have updated curricula and may carry less institutional history than older units.
Unit 5 items
- College of Arts and Sciences
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Nursing and Health Professions
- School of Applied Science, Engineering and Technology
- School of Business
Programs Offered
The full set of programmes University of Southern Maine offers is searchable and grouped by level below. Some programmes accept rolling applications; others run on annual cycles — check before applying.
Bachelor's Degree
53 programmes
University of Southern Maine delivers 53 programmes at bachelor's level, the qualifications school-leavers most commonly apply to as their first step into higher education.
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Communication and Media Studies Communication Studies
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management Information Systems & Technology
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Engineering, General General Engineering
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Industrial Engineering Industrial & Systems Engineering
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians General Engineering
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services Linguistics & Language Studies
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
English Language and Literature, General English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Biochemistry
Mathematics Mathematics
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness Sport and Exercise Science
Philosophy Philosophy & Ethics
Physical Sciences, General Natural Sciences
Chemistry Chemistry
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Earth Sciences & Geology
Physics Physics & Astronomy
Psychology, General Psychology
Security Science and Technology Criminal Law & Justice
Social Work Social Work
Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Criminology Social & Cultural Studies
Economics Economics
Geography and Cartography Geography
Political Science and Government Politics & International Relations
Sociology Social & Cultural Studies
Social Sciences, Other Social & Cultural Studies
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Film & Animation
Fine and Studio Arts Visual Arts
Music Music
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Health Sciences
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Public Health Public Health
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Hospitality Administration/Management Hospitality Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Marketing Advertising & Digital Marketing
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations Retail Management
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Master's Degree
30 programmes
These 30 programmes form University of Southern Maine's master's offering, combining advanced coursework with independent work that signals readiness for leadership or research.
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning Landscape Architecture
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Computer Science Computer Sciences
Curriculum and Instruction Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Law
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
Biology, General Biological Sciences
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Biological Sciences
Statistics Mathematics
Data Science Liberal Arts
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Security Science and Technology Criminal Law & Justice
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Social Work Social Work
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Music Music
Health and Medical Administrative Services Healthcare Administration
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Public Health Public Health
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities Health Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Professional Doctorate
1 programme
These 1 programme make up University of Southern Maine's doctoral catalogue, where candidates work closely with supervisors to produce publishable, original research.
Law Law
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Doctorate
5 programmes
These 5 programmes make up University of Southern Maine's doctoral catalogue, where candidates work closely with supervisors to produce publishable, original research.
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions Rehabilitation Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
No programmes match your filter in this level.
Associate, Certificate & Other Qualifications
59 programmes
University of Southern Maine offers 59 programmes as shorter-cycle and preparatory qualifications, a flexible tier for skills-focused learners or those bridging into undergraduate study.
Agriculture/Veterinary Preparatory Programs Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Forestry & Natural Resources
City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning Landscape Architecture
Area Studies Social & Cultural Studies
Information Science/Studies Information Systems & Technology
Computer Software and Media Applications Digital Media & Game Development
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Education & Teaching
Educational Administration and Supervision Educational Leadership
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Education & Teaching
Special Education and Teaching Special Education
Student Counseling and Personnel Services Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas Education & Teaching
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language Education & Teaching
American Indian/Native American Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Linguistics & Language Studies
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies Law
Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies English Language Studies
English Language and Literature/Letters, Other English Language Studies
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Liberal Arts
Statistics Mathematics
Statistics Mathematics
Gerontology Liberal Arts
Sustainability Studies Liberal Arts
Data Science Liberal Arts
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Liberal Arts
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Clinical Psychology
Security Science and Technology Criminal Law & Justice
Public Administration Public Administration
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Public Policy Analysis Public Administration
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other Public Administration
Social Sciences, General Social & Cultural Studies
Geography and Cartography Geography
Geography and Cartography Geography
Sociology and Anthropology Social & Cultural Studies
Social Sciences, Other Social & Cultural Studies
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Performing Arts
Music Music
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Biomedical & Laboratory Sciences
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Health Sciences
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions Counselling & Psychotherapy
Public Health Public Health
Public Health Public Health
Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities Health Sciences
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing Nursing
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other Health Sciences
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Business Administration, Management and Operations Business Administration
Accounting and Related Services Accounting
Finance and Financial Management Services Finance, Banking & Insurance
Hospitality Administration/Management Hospitality Management
Human Resources Management and Services Human Resource Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Operations Management
Insurance Business Administration
Insurance Business Administration
History History
No programmes match your filter in this level.
How to apply to University of Southern Maine
How to apply to University of Southern Maine — a five-step structure with notes on documents, channels, and timing for each phase.
- 1 Find a programme that fits your goals
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. University of Southern Maine offers 148 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
- 2 Confirm you meet the requirements
Each programme at University of Southern Maine has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
- 3 Assemble your application package
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
- 4 Submit your application
Apply directly via University of Southern Maine's online portal at usm.maine.edu. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
- 5 Contact admissions and follow up
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +1 (800) 800 4876. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of Southern Maine
Below are the key facts most prospective students ask about University of Southern Maine, drawn directly from institutional records.
When was University of Southern Maine founded?
University of Southern Maine was established in 1878 (approximately 148 years ago).
Where is University of Southern Maine located?
University of Southern Maine is located in Portland, United States.
Is University of Southern Maine a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
What is the student enrolment at University of Southern Maine?
Student enrolment at University of Southern Maine is around 7,000-7,999.
Where does University of Southern Maine stand in university rankings?
University of Southern Maine is ranked #3929 globally and #418 in United States.
What is University of Southern Maine's academic structure?
University of Southern Maine is organised into 5 academic units across its disciplines.
Is University of Southern Maine accredited?
Yes, University of Southern Maine is recognised by New England Commission of Higher Education.
How do I find University of Southern Maine online?
University of Southern Maine's official website is usm.maine.edu.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United States
Subject-specific rankings sometimes diverge from overall national rankings. A university below University of Southern Maine overall may lead in your subject — worth checking subject tables separately.
Members of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
Membership renewal cycles for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) create periodic quality reviews. Recent renewals or admissions to the network signal currency of standards — older memberships may need re-examination.
Faculties at Nearby Universities
Alumni networks within a region often outlast individual institutional choice. Universities near University of Southern Maine share post-grad employer connections that benefit students from any of them.
Where Else to Study Education & Teaching
Interested in Education & Teaching but want alternatives to University of Southern Maine? These institutions in the United States also offer programmes in this field, each with their own specialisations and admissions paths. Comparing the curriculum across schools often surfaces differences worth weighing.
Universities Often Compared with University of Southern Maine
Universities at a similar tier to University of Southern Maine appear below, useful for cross-comparison on academic credentials. Comparable institutions often share faculty mobility patterns and external recognition signals.
