USM To Add Graduate Degrees, Suspend Two-Year Business Program
USM will suspend its two-year business program and add two
new graduate programs as a result of action taken last week
by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees.
Two-Year Business Program
Trustees, at their meeting held Monday, July 8, approved
USM’s proposal to suspend its two-year program in business
administration. USM President Richard Pattenaude told the
board that the two-year associate’s program is not a significant
factor in the future of the School of Business. He cited a
need to continue to direct resources to the baccalaureate
and graduate programs, especially given the school’s accreditation
by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
International. Growth of associate business programs at the
technical colleges also has decreased the need for the program
at USM. Current USM students will have an opportunity to complete
all course requirements. Suspension, rather than complete
elimination, also will allow us to evaluate future opportunities
for the program under the proposed technical colleges’ community
college initiative. For a complete look at USM’s School of
Business go to www.usm.maine.edu/sb/
New Graduate Programs Approved
Trustees also approved USM’s plan to develop a master’s program
in music and a master’s in leadership studies.
Music
The demand for graduate programs in music has been heard
from various southern Maine constituencies for more than 30
years. One external reviewer of the new master’s program noted,
“It appears that the time has come and the foundation exists
for such a graduate program to be instituted at the University
of Southern Maine School of Music.” The target population
of the program will be performers and music educators, most
of whom have family and/or job responsibilities in southern
Maine. But the strength and quality of the School of Music
faculty also is expected to generate out-of-state enrollments.
Plans call for the program to open in the fall of 2003. A
portion of the program also will be offered in the summer,
proceeds from which will cover the program’s start-up costs.
More information on USM’s School of Music is available at
www.usm.maine.edu/music/
Leadership Studies
USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College will be the home to Maine’s
first master’s program in leadership studies. The graduate
program will be built on LAC’s successful undergraduate program
in Leadership and Organizational Studies. It will serve those
currently in the work force who want a broad-based graduate
education that will enable them to promote innovation and
creativity in organizations throughout the public and private
sectors. Based on market studies, USM anticipates enrolling
20 students per year, beginning in the fall of 2003. Tuition
revenue is expected to cover program costs. You can visit
USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/
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