Minors

This minor is designed to introduce students to the various facets of the study of business and provide an overview of a variety of skills necessary for success in business today.

This multi-campus minor takes advantage of expertise from across the University of Maine System to prepare students for careers in the Cannabis industry.  Through a mix of online and in-person classes, students in the program will gain skills and knowledge in plant propagation, greenhouse cultivation and management, disease and insect pest management, and extraction and analysis techniques.

This program is designed for students from any major interested in working with youth.

Anthropogenic climate change is arguably the most pressing issue facing humanity and the natural systems that sustain life on Earth. This minor, which complements any major, allows students to apply their particular intellectual and topical interests to the field of climate change.

The Coaching Minor is available to undergraduate students in any major aspiring to coach at any level. The minor emphasizes coaching various sports, coaching methods, fitness training assessment, motor development, and anatomy/physiology. There are opportunities for students to engage in hands-on experience through practicums.

Upon completion of the coaching minor, students will be certified through Human Kinetics and the American Sport Education Program (ASEP).

The Data Analytics minor consists of computer science, statistics, and technology-related courses to provide students exposure to a variety of relevant and in-demand skills and better prepare them for post-undergraduate work. In addition to traditional coursework in computer science and mathematics, students will customize a selection of technology modules best suited to their major and their plans after graduation.

The purpose of the Early Childhood Special Education (ECS) minor is to respond to the national need for all teachers, home visitors, and other professionals to provide appropriate educational support to young children with disabilities and their families.  ECS minors will gain knowledge and skills for working with children with disabilities ages birth through 5 years and their families across a range of educational, therapeutic, and community settings.

The ECS minor comprises 15 credits as described below and is open to students in any major.  A grade of B- or higher must be achieved in all ECS courses to complete the minor successfully.  Interested students must complete an application and submit it to the Department of Early Childhood Special Education.  Applicants meeting the following requirements will be considered for admission (based on enrollment capacity of the program):

• Current GPA of at least 2.75
• 12 earned credits
• Interview with a faculty member in Early Childhood Special Education

NOTE:  Courses from other institutions are not automatically equivalent for the minor.

Students in this minor will develop the knowledge and experience to design, edit, and publish work in a variety of genres through a combination of hands-on learning and coursework. They will gain familiarity with the history, ethics, and business of publishing and have opportunities to integrate these with studies in literature, creative writing, and journalism. Students will gain experience in both digital and print production and be prepared for careers in a variety of fields within publishing.

The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Minor is a series of courses specifically designed to prepare teachers and other professionals to work with the growing population of multilingual learners (MLs). The program also prepares students from a variety of disciplines to teach and work with MLs in national and international settings. The program addresses curriculum and assessment, the structure of language, pedagogy, and cultural contexts.

Track A is designed for students enrolled in an education major. It is meant to demonstrate that students have additional knowledge and skills regarding MLs and their families to enhance their primary endorsement in ECH preK-3, Elementary K-6, Secondary 6-12, and World Languages. Upon successful completion of the minor, these majors can apply to the state for the English for Speakers of Other Languages Endorsement (ESOL: 660), after obtaining certification in their primary endorsement area. Special Education (K-8, 7-12), Early Childhood Special Education (B-5), and Early Childhood Birth-K majors require additional courses to obtain ESOL certification.

Track B is open to all majors. The content provides knowledge and skills that prepare completers to support MLs in a variety of settings and occupations.

This minor also prepares students interested in national and international opportunities such as Fulbright, Peace Corps, an international teaching, and graduate degrees in TOEFL/TESL.

The Environmental Studies minor is multidisciplinary, spanning most areas of the arts and sciences. Students will apply the perspective of their major to the study of the environment, preparing them to relate their careers to environmental issues or nature. Students seeking an environmental studies major should speak with their advisor or the coordinator of the minor about developing an individualized program (or they should consider majors in Environmental Science or Environmental Policy & Planning).

Required courses (five courses worth 16-19 credits) and experience.

1.  At least two courses in Natural Sciences from the list below.

2.  At least two courses in Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences and Business, and Community Health from the list below.

3.  One additional elective course from the lists below.

4.  Participation in service, internship, research, creative work, or research related to the environment, during the academic year or summer. This experience can be satisfied and documented in a variety of ways and should be arranged with your advisor and the coordinator.

Notes:

1. At least two courses must be at the 200 level or higher.
2. No more than 8 credits in a student’s major may be counted toward these course requirements.

The Film Studies Minor provides students with multiple ways to engage in the study of film. An individual can choose courses that deal with the writing, planning, and production of film and time-based media, courses that deal with history and analysis, or a blend of both.

Film Studies

18 credits from the following list of courses or from other departmental courses cross-listed with Film Studies. Topics courses (277 or 377) often fulfill film studies minor requirements; questions should be brought to the contact person for the Film Studies Committee.

Geographic Information Systems are a critical component of fast-growing career opportunities in areas like natural resources, planning, environmental regulation, marketing, public safety, public health, environmental analysis, recreation management, national defense, and many others. The Geographic Information Science (GIS) certificate provides an education program for students interested in careers and research that involve geographic information systems (GIS) and related spatial technologies (e.g., remote sensing, global positioning systems (GPS), cartography, and spatial data analysis).

The program coordinates especially well with UMF’s bachelor’s degree programs in Environmental Policy and Planning, Geography, Earth and Environmental Science, and Community Health, but it is open to anyone, regardless of major or matriculation status. Completion of the certificate is recorded on the official UMF transcript

The Interdisciplinary Studies in Health and Medicine minor spans a variety of different fields of knowledge. This minor presents an opportunity for students in any major to study the role of wellness, healthcare, and medicine from many perspectives. The minor is designed to enhance personal learning and provide an area of focus for students who may be looking to pursue careers in health-related fields.

Students choosing this minor need to complete a minimum of 15 credits, representing at least four different disciplines from the following list, meeting the criteria outlined below.

1. No more than four credits in a student’s major may be counted toward the minor requirements.

2. At least three of the courses must be at the 200 level or higher.

3. Courses may also count toward general education requirements.

4. Students will need to fulfill any required prerequisites for courses.

5. Additional courses may be considered for the minor at the discretion of the Interdisciplinary Studies in Health and Medicine Interest Group.

This minor is designed for students not majoring in Health Promotion and Wellness, but still interested in behavior change and prevention in the helping professions.

History is integral to a liberal arts education and provides a framework for all other academic disciplines. History’s emphasis on inquiry and research makes it one of the most practical disciplines as well as a critical component of a well-informed citizenry. People who acquire knowledge of the past enhance their understanding of the world in which they live today. The discipline of history is predicated on developing research skills, conducting rigorous analysis, and synthesizing findings into meaningful communication. These skills offer students excellent preparation for professional development. Through the collegial practices of reflection and exchange, the study of history also enriches the intellect.

 Students minoring in IGS must take courses in at least two disciplines, and at least two courses in their minor must be above 100 level. IGS minors are encouraged to study overseas either through a travel course or semester abroad.

The minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies spans numerous disciplines and presents an opportunity for students in any major to study this geographic region from various perspectives. The minor is designed to enhance personal learning and provide an area of focus for students who may be looking to pursue careers in international studies and/or work within Latin America and the Caribbean.

 The Legal Studies minor is multidisciplinary, spanning many courses throughout the university. The minor is composed of five classes and an internship, independent research project or other experiential learning component. Students seeking a Legal Studies minor should speak with their advisor and one of the coordinators, Professor Jim Melcher or Professor Michael Schoeppner.

The Middle Level Education (MLE) Minor provides students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in middle-level teaching practices through the exploration of philosophy, curriculum, instruction, and assessment specific to the nature and needs of young adolescents. The MLE minor for students enrolled in the UMF Elementary Education program can lead to a Maine Middle Level Teacher Endorsement.

This minor is designed for students from any major interested in nutrition and motivating behavior change. The courses cover relevant topics in nutrition and health behavior change.

A minor in outdoor recreation provides students with an introduction to recreation programming and leadership.  Students will gain skills and competencies in a variety of recreational activities.  Students will explore recreation and how it applies to both personal and professional lives.

This minor is designed for students from any major who have an interest in physical activity behavior and promotion. Students will learn the fundamentals of physical activity and how it aligns with motivating behavior change.

The Pre-Professional Health minor is for non-science majors at UMF who are interested in attending medical schools, veterinary schools, pharmacy schools, dental schools, optometry schools, physician assistant programs, physical therapy schools, chiropractic schools, athletic training programs, or similar post-graduate programs in health-related fields. The minor ensures that these students take the biology, chemistry, and physics they need to maximize their chances for a successful application.

The social construction of sexuality, and how gender, sexual orientation, race, class, and culture impact beliefs and behaviors will be explored across a range of disciplines. Students will gain insights into a variety of sexual issues, including – regulation of sexuality, sexual violence, victimization, and non-traditional sexuality.

The Special Education (SED) Minor provides students with the opportunity to explore issues of access and inclusion in K-12 education. SED minors will gain comprehensive knowledge related to valuing diversity and accommodating and supporting individuals with disabilities.

The Special Education Licensure Track Minor provides Education students with the coursework needed for the 282 Teacher of Children with Disabilities licensure in the State of Maine. The only additional requirement is either to complete a student teaching experience in Special Education or to be hired as a special educator and complete one year in this position before applying for official licensure. Education majors interested in the licensure track should talk to advisors early to discuss this option and the possibility of doing UMF’s 4+1 Special Education Master’s Program that allows students to complete their Master’s degree in one additional year of schooling, putting them at a competitive advantage in their chosen career field.

The Special Education Minor for non-education majors comprises 15 credits, as described below, and is open to students in any major.

Interested students must complete a Program/Plan Change Form with their advisor and document their intent to declare a Special Education minor. Applicants meeting the following requirements will be considered for admission (based on the enrollment capacity of the program):

• Current GPA of at least 2.75
• 12 earned credits

The Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) 18-credit multicampus minor offers students a broader understanding of the state of Maine as a whole in the contexts of tourism, hospitality and outdoor recreation, through hands-on learning, connections with workforce leaders, and comprehensive exploration of the cultural, historical, scientific and economic framework of this unique world-class travel destination.

Through completion of the minor, students will:

• Identify how the tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries intersect to play a critical role in supporting Maine’s economy

• Develop an understanding the diverse economic, environmental, and social challenges, opportunities, and trade-offs related to the THOR industries, particularly in Maine

• Understand the importance of how business environment, recreation opportunities, seasonality, hospitality and lodging infrastructure, and supply of other tourist attractions all contribute to the complexity of the THOR industries

Students have the opportunity to complete this minor by selecting classes across multiple institutions within the University of Maine System.

Students in this minor will develop their skills for analyzing video games from a literary and cultural studies perspective. Additionally, they will learn fundamental video game design principles, which they will utilize in creating small-scale video games. By critically engaging with video games from the mid-twentieth century to the present, as well as developing their own games, students will prepare themselves for careers in art, media studies, literary studies, creative writing, or cultural studies.