The University of Southern Maine (USM) is in Maine’s largest economic and cultural center. Why is this important? USM students can take advantage of a beautiful, outdoor-centric locale combined with internship access to local and state governments, national and international businesses, minor league sports teams, and renowned music and arts organizations — opportunities not readily available in more populous states.
USM Is growing!
The University is excited to be in the early construction phase for two new buildings on its Portland campus opening in the summer of 2023:
A three-story, 42,000 square-foot Career & Student Success Center housing student career services, study rooms, meeting rooms, dining, a cafe/brew pub, and more.
A 580-bed, 218,000 square-foot residence hall for second-, third-, and fourth-year undergraduate students and University of Maine System graduate students. This will be the second largest Passive House university building in the United States.
Accomplished Faculty
USM’s faculty members include Fulbright and Guggenheim Fellows, advisors to state and local government, and acclaimed authors which positions them well to help their students put classroom theory into real-world practice. Through internships for every major, USM is dedicated to community engagement both for the benefit of its students and the world around them, evidence that especially in a small state, motivated people can make a big difference.
Highlights of the University
Average GPA of 3.31 for incoming Fall ’21 class
Internships for all majors
Undergraduate opportunities for research work with professors
Innovative facilities:
MIST - a collaborative makerspace where skills learned pertain to electronics, 3D printing, 3D modeling, coding, robotics, design, and woodworking and can be utilized as incubators and accelerators for business startups
Digital Immersion Lab - a space set up with everything students need to design, test, and refine videogames and AR/VR projects
QC2 lab - an entrepreneurial space where chemistry faculty and undergraduates help regional craft brewers to assess the taste and quality of their products
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report
An AACSB-accredited business school, awarded to the top 5 percent of schools worldwide
Excellence in Academic Advising award
What USM Embraces
The University embraces academic freedom for students, faculty, and staff, advocates diversity and supports anti-racism efforts in all aspects of its campus life and academic work. USM supports sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and community involvement. Examples of these commitments are seen through the following initiatives:
One of USM’s five university goals of Equity and Justice
USM’s 1st annual Sustainability Progress Report for 2020
USM’s 10 Living Learning Communities (Citizenship, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, First Generation Student Experience: TRIO & Promise Scholars, Health, Honors, Rainbow, Russell Scholars Program (RSP), and Social Justice)
USM’s internships program, which ensures internships for every major
USM’s annual Husky Day of Service
The University’s foundation as a center for discovery, scholarship, and creativity is anchored by two important research centers. First is the Cutler Institute at the Muskie School of Public Service which works with local and national entities to research and report on today’s pressing issues. Additionally, USM’s Osher Map Library contains nearly half a million cartographic items used for educational and research purposes. These are global in scope and date back to 1475.
Athletics
USM’s 22 nationally-recognized Division III athletics programs offer student-athletes the opportunity to compete at conference, regional, and national levels. T teams win their regional championships, including baseball, women's basketball, and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track teams, and USM student-athletes regularly earn All-American and Academic All-American honors. The university mascot is Champ the Husky.
The University of Southern Maine is proud of all it provides to its state and the nation and looks forward to welcoming you to its educational community.
Office of Admissions: Phone: 207-780-5670; Toll Free: 1-800-800-4USM; TTY: 207-780-5646; Email: admitusm@maine.edu; Web: usm.maine.edu/admissions.