History

Planning for a Senior College in Augusta began in May, 2001. A group of interested senior citizens met as a steering committee with University representatives. The University president and Provost's Office and offered strong support and encouragement and in April of 2002 our Board of Directors was elected. As the 10th Senior College in Maine, we were launched as an administrative unit of the University under the Provost's Office with the involvement of the Dean of Arts and Humanities. In the spring of 2002 we offered eight courses with an enrollment of 89 students. We were on our way!

Membership

Persons who are fifty years of age or older and their spouses and partners are eligible for membership in UMASC. Scholarships are available. We serve the Capitol area of Maine: straddling the mighty Kennebec River, our area extends from the Sheepscot Valley on the east to the Androsscoggin Valley on the west, from Richmond on the south to Fairfield on the north. The membership fee is $25 per year (July 1 through June 30), applicable statewide. Currently, tuition is $30 per course. Fee structure is subject to revisions.

Courses

UMASC faculty includes retired professionals, clergy, university professors, consultants, writers, artists, and business persons. The common thread of our instructors is that they all have a strong interest and special expertise in the area in which they teach. However, learning occurs in many formats at Senior College: some courses bring in outside experts, while another offered a tour of Maine's lighthouses as part of the curriculum.

Courses in history, literature, art, poetry, science, religions, healing arts, lighthouses, philosophy/critical thinking, computers, calligraphy, theatre, have been offered. A "typical" course is a two-hour weekly session for eight weeks, though some 4-and 6-week courses have been offered. The Fall Semester runs from mid-September through mid-November, the Spring Semester from mid-March through mid-May.

In January and February we offer weekly programs entitled Brown Bag Tuesdays.

Course Catalogs

Follow this link to the see UMA Senior College Course Offerings

Location

Most classes take place on the campus of the University of Maine at Augusta.

For More Information

The University of Maine at Augusta Senior College
46 University Drive
Augusta ME 04330

By phone: (207) 621-3551

Web site: http://www.uma.edu/seniorcollege.html

By email: UMASC@maine.edu