FARMINGTON — University of Maine at Farmington has announced that it will begin offering classes at Southern Maine Community College in UMF’s Early Childhood Education Off-Campus Bachelor’s Degree Program in fall 2012. This additional site is being introduced to make it easier for educators to complete a four-year degree in early childhood education while continuing to live and work in southern Maine.

“This program was created in partnership with Southern Maine Community College to help improve early childhood educators’ access to continuing education,” said Katherine Yardley, UMF associate provost and dean of education. “We’re looking forward to being able to provide working professionals with a practical pathway to a bachelor’s degree that works best for their life situation.”

According to Yardley, all courses in the UMF off-campus bachelor’s degree program will be taught by full-time UMF faculty members. Courses will be offered using several delivery methods including a blend of distance learning and traditional classroom settings and will be taught at times that best meet the needs of educators, including evenings and weekends (Friday evenings and Saturdays.)

An associate’s degree in early childhood education or an equivalent, such as human services, arts and science with an early childhood concentration or child development is required for admission into the program. However, UMF staff members are available to review student transcripts to determine if they meet eligibility requirements.

Applications are available through the UMF Admission Office and can be obtained by contacting Chris Yardley, UMF admission counselor at 778-7065, or yardley@maine.edu, or online at umf.maine.edu/cohort.

An information session will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15, on the Southern Maine Community College campus at the Early Childhood Education Center, 36 Broadway, South Portland.

For more information contact Carolyn Drugge, UMF coordinator and advisor of the Early Childhood Cohort Program, at 778-7274 or carolyn.drugge@maine.edu.