Testimonials from YourPace Students

YourPace Success Stories: Flexible Online Degrees

Woman working at laptop.

At the University of Maine at Presque Isle, the YourPace program is transforming the educational journey for adult learners. This innovative, competency-based online platform offers flexibility and affordability, enabling students to progress at their own pace. By focusing on mastery of course content rather than time spent in class, YourPace accommodates diverse learning styles and schedules. Students from various backgrounds have leveraged this model to achieve their academic goals efficiently. Below, we share testimonials from graduates who have experienced the benefits of YourPace firsthand.

  • A Promise To Yourself

    “YourPace is a program that gives people like me a real chance to succeed. As a first-generation student, I did not have the support system I needed to make college sustainable. I worked all night, was in school all day, napped in my car when I could, and lasted two years before I burned out completely. Twenty years later through the YourPace program, I’ve been able to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working full-time, raising a family, and paying for my education as I went along. It has been hard and there have been times I have been deeply exhausted, but I made a promise to myself that if I was given another chance, I was going to finish what I started. YourPace allowed me to reclaim my education and keep that promise to myself.

    – Amanda S.

  • Fitting Work Into Life

    “YP isn’t a shortcut, and it isn’t easier than a traditional university path. We learn the same content with the same professors, we just have the opportunity to fit the work into our lives differently than traditional students. Higher education as it stands is inaccessible to many people who want a degree, simply because they missed the window of time when the system expects them to complete it. YourPace has given me the opportunity to achieve a goal I’d pushed aside, and I’m excited to be able to put UMPI on my resume in the fall.”

    – Stephanie P.

  • Go For It

    “The competency-based education (CBE) program really appealed to me because it was ‘learn at your own pace’ and did not follow traditional semester/class guidelines. The traditional method of classroom learning simply would never work for me as an adult who works full time. The beauty of this learning format is I can start another CBE while finishing up the final for another, therefore not slowing down my progress or pace. My advice to anyone considering YourPace—GO FOR IT! Seriously, as someone who for years has contemplated going back to school but never pulled the trigger due to fear that it would take many years and lots of money, I would highly recommend this program.”

    – David F.

  • Anywhere In The World

    “I needed a program that could keep up with my life — not the other way around. I’m currently living in South Korea while waiting for my wife’s visa to be processed so we can return to our home in Georgia together. I needed a university that offered the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world, on my own schedule. UMPI’s YourPace program was exactly that. The ability to move at my own pace while balancing professional responsibilities, family milestones, and personal goals made UMPI the clear choice.”

    – David H.

A Real Chance

“YourPace did not give me an easier degree. It gave me a real chance I never had before.”

– Nikki M.

Fitting Work Into Life

“I chose UMPI because the YourPace program lets me work on my accounting degree at my own speed. It’s the perfect way for me to balance my education while working toward my career goals.”

– Sierra W.

Flexible and Affordable

What brought me to UMPI was their YourPace program. It was a perfect match for my goals! I knew I’d be transferring credits and needed the right blend of flexibility and affordability to complete my degree. The shorter sessions and clear structure made it an ideal fit!

– Kandia H.

Busy Mother of Five

I was drawn to UMPI because of the flexibility of the YourPace program and the ability to complete my degree while balancing life as a busy wife and mother of five. I wanted a program that allowed me to continue my education without sacrificing my responsibilities at home.

– Breanna B.

More Than Just A Degree

“I don’t talk about school programs lightly, but I’ll say this, the experience I’ve had with the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the MAOL program genuinely surprised me in a good way.

The MAOL (Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership) isn’t one of those programs where you’re just checking boxes or memorizing theories you’ll never use. It’s built around real-world leadership, the kind you actually deal with when you’re managing teams, navigating change, or trying to move an organization forward without losing your people in the process.

What stood out to me most was how practical it felt. You’re not just learning concepts, you’re applying them. You’re thinking through real scenarios, real challenges, and honestly, it pushes you to look at your own leadership style in a way that’s a little uncomfortable at times, but necessary.

And the format matters too. UMPI makes it possible to balance work, life, and school without feeling like you’re drowning. That flexibility doesn’t lower the bar, it just makes the path realistic for people who are already deep in their careers.

If you’re someone who’s been leading in the field for years but wants to sharpen your approach, or you’re stepping into leadership and want something that actually prepares you, not just checks a credential box, this program is worth looking into.

For me, it’s been more than just a degree. It’s been a reset on how I think about leadership, people, and impact.”

– MK Youngblood

Accelerated Degree Completion

David Falls, UMPI YourPace Online Student

“David completed his bachelor’s degree from UMPI YourPace Online in one year! “The competency-based education (CBE) program really appealed to me because it was ‘learn at your own pace’ and did not follow a tradition semester/class guidelines. The traditional method of classroom learning simply would never work for me as an adult who works full time. The beauty of this learning format is I can start another CBE while finishing up the final for another, therefore not slowing down my progress or pace. My advice to anyone considering YourPace—GO FOR IT! Seriously, as someone who for years has contemplated going back to school but never pulled the trigger due to fear that it would take many years and lots of money, I would highly recommend this program. If you don’t mind working at your own pace and have the ability to push yourself, you can complete this program in a much shorter amount of time than you ever imagined possible.”

Meaghan Cote, UMPI YourPace Online Student

“This program allows me to get classes done on my time that fits within my budget. It is a perfect program for those who have busy lives but want to complete a degree program at an affordable price.

Chris Ferranti, UMPI YourPace Online Student

“You can put 20 hours into a course and pass over three days if you want to, or take a week off and not feel guilty or that you’re behind.

Pam Easler, UMPI YourPace Online Student

“Some of the courses I have experience or education already on the material. Because of that, I am able to go through them pretty quickly.

Perry Leavey, UMPI YourPace Online Student

“I have an extensive work and business background. The flexibility of completing my degree online and at my own pace and convenience was exactly what I needed.

Jason Ennis, UMPI YourPace Online Student

“I like being able to interact face to face with other people and the teacher to ask questions. But in the end, for me and where I am in my life, this was the only way it was going to work. It’s been a great learning experience.

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2026 RFI Revision
YourPace is a flexible, competency-based degree program with 8-week sessions and a flat tuition rate for students who must be 20 years old at the time of application
On-campus students also have the flexibility to take a variety of online courses in many of our programs.
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