Online Degrees in Maine (ME)

Those seeking higher education in Maine can find many state-supported opportunities for learning. Workforce development services in the state seek to connect residents with the training needed to make a difference in the state's economy. The Maine Department of Labor offers several programs aimed at doing just that, including:

1. Competitive Skills Scholarship: Gives workers grants to help them earn a certificate or degree in academic and vocational subject areas.
2. Lifelong Learning Accounts: Assists workers and employers in funding ongoing training and education.
3. Prior Learning Assessments: Allows residents to obtain college credit for skills and training obtained outside of an academic setting.

The interest in promoting higher education is a win-win situation for businesses and students alike. Businesses benefit by employing skilled workers. Students and residents can benefit by earning higher paychecks and enjoying a higher quality of life.

Additionally, higher education opportunities and a skilled workforce are essential to attracting new businesses and people to Maine. As Geoff Flood, president of T4G, a Canadian information technology that recently chose Saco, Maine for its new U.S. location, said in a Mainebiz article: "We want to be where the smart people want to live."

With so much riding on education, Maine online degrees may be a desirable option for residents. In many cases, the convenience of an online degree program can help students and workers reach their educational goals, whether they're seeking a GED, MBA or anything in between.

According to the Maine Higher Educational Council, Maine has more than 30 public and private colleges and universities with nearly 57,000 enrolled students. There are also more than a half dozen community colleges or community college systems within the state. Additionally, students from around the world can take web-based credit hours from Maine schools. Online programs in the state offer training in areas such as business, education, health care, administration, nursing, theology and more.

Online degrees, in Maine and beyond, have the potential to change the way students today pursue their education. This non-traditional learning setting can meet the ever-changing needs of students and can continue to advance to suit both economic and educational needs. Students seeking online degrees may find that this new learning platform gives them access to a wide range of academic programs, including everything from GEDs to doctoral training.

Information from the Maine Demographics and Economics team suggests that some of the leading industries in the state include energy futures, health care, tourism and paper products. All of these industries thrive on technology and innovation, and education has proven a valuable asset in these sectors. Economists Michael Levert and Chuck Lawton, in a Mainebiz article, emphasize how important training and higher education are to the success of all these industries, but make a special note about tourism.

"To take advantage of Maine's exceptional recreational opportunities today's front-line service workers need to be exceptionally well trained in customer service and the culture and history of Maine," they wrote.

According to CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, the occupations with the most openings for college graduates in Maine include accountants and auditors; general and operations managers; elementary school teachers, secondary school teachers and postsecondary teachers; social and human services assistants and more. Many of the skills needed for these fields can be gained through online degrees in Maine.

According to June 2011 data from the Maine Department of Labor, the state's unemployment rate was 7.4 percent, which was below the national average. According to 2010 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mean wages earned by workers in some of the state's most in-demand occupations were:

1. Accountants and auditors: $60,350
2. Elementary school teachers: $45,420
3. General and operations managers: $85,280
4. Secondary school teachers: $47,340
5. Social and human services assistants: $28,350

As the Maine economy becomes increasingly dependent on skilled workers, higher education is becoming even more essential for all members of the state's workforce. A wide range of state- and industry- supported programs in Maine are making further education more accessible to residents. Maine online degrees can give students a way to gain the skills and education they need and to make a difference in the state's economy.