FARMINGTON - Beginning next summer, the University of Maine at Farmington will offer its first-ever graduate degree program.

The Master of Science in Education program, developed by UMF faculty and local educational leaders, will focus on meeting the needs of in-service teachers in western and central Maine for quality and easily accessible graduate education.

This program received recent approval by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees at their, Jan. 14 meeting. UMF is now requesting review by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, which must approve UMF's initiation of a new degree at the master's level.

The master's program is structured to be completed during the summers, on selected weeknights and some Saturdays over the course of three academic years. It will be available to elementary, middle and secondary, early childhood and special education teachers.

For information, contact Pamela Wilson, UMF director of Educational Outreach, at 207-778-7186, or umfmasters@maine.edu.