The University of Southern Maine, with a rich history reaching back to 1878, is Maine's comprehensive public university offering baccalaureate, professional, graduate, and associate degrees within the University of Maine System. The University of Southern Maine's fundamental mission is teaching, research, and public service for the benefit of the citizens of Maine and society in general. In achieving its mission and fulfilling its responsibilities as a university, the University of Southern Maine addresses the aspirations and needs of southern Maine and serves as a vehicle for linking southern Maine and the State to the nation and the world. The University actively encourages faculty, staff, and students to contribute to and participate in State, national, and international academic and professional communities.

The University's principal responsibility is to provide a wide range of programs responsive to students diverse in age, background, and experience, many of whom are part-time, employed, and/or commuter students. Undergraduate education at the University of Southern Maine aims to provide every student a solid foundation in the liberal arts and the sciences. Master's, professional, and selected doctoral degrees and research programs emphasize the integration of theory and practice. The University of Southern Maine seeks to assure broad access at various geographic locations to educational opportunities including life-long learning and is committed to providing academic and support services essential to the needs of a diverse student body. This commitment extends to creating a sense of university community and a vibrant, diverse cultural environment for the University of Southern Maine's students, faculty, staff, and the entire community of southern Maine. In all activities, the University continually strives for excellence in teaching and learning.

As an essential Maine resource, the University sets program priorities that are driven by the needs of the people and institutions of southern Maine in particular and the State in general. The University of Southern Maine responds to the special needs of, and provides leadership for, southern Maine's many cultural, health, human service, business, and technological institutions and activities. The University fulfills a historical and special commitment to elementary and secondary education through the preparation of teachers and educational leaders. The University of Southern Maine links the teaching, research, and public service capabilities of faculty and staff, through both traditional and interdisciplinary programs and units, with the people, organizations, and institutions of the State and the region. As one of seven campuses in the University of Maine System, the University of Southern Maine complements and collaborates with the other six institutions in the System to fulfill the needs of public higher education in the State of Maine.