# University of Maine to Award College Credit for High School Soft Skills Colleges are converting leadership and communication skills gained in high school into formal academic credits. - **Source:** [The College Investor](https://brifing.si/source/d431d77d-492e-4105-be7c-2525bbb643ab) - **Published:** 2026-09-01 - **Topic:** [People & Culture](https://brifing.si/c/people) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/231bed38-42f2-497a-b14a-6311bc0998f1 ## New Credit System Launching Starting fall 2023, the University of Maine system and two Kansas community colleges will convert 'durable skills' (leadership, communication, financial literacy) earned by high school students through Jobs for Maine Graduates and GenUS programs into formal college credits. This marks the first time colleges are recognizing externally acquired skills for academic credit. The system will operate similarly to the 'prior learning credit' model used for military training and AP exam scores. ## Tangible Savings for Students Students can earn up to 8 of the 120 credits required for a bachelor's degree through this pathway. In the U.S., where average college costs reach $34,019, these 8 credits equate to half a semester's coursework. University of Maine Chancellor Dannel Malloy emphasized that these credits will particularly ease the enrollment process for low-income and first-generation college students. ## Skill Certification Details Students earn 30 micro-credentials by demonstrating skills like work ethic, persistence, and initiative, which consolidate into 8 main certificates including Leadership Development, Job and Career Readiness, and Financial Literacy. Kansas colleges will accept these certificates as substitutes for interpersonal communication and personal finance courses. The program currently operates in 72 Kansas high schools and 17 middle schools. ## Alignment with Education Trends This initiative aligns with two major trends: mandatory personal finance education in 28 states and employers' growing preference for skills over degrees. Colleges recognizing skill credentials demonstrates higher education's adoption of this shift. Converting financial literacy coursework into college credits adds value to state mandates beyond graduation requirements. ## National Expansion Plans GenUS will host representatives from 12 states in Kansas this September, with Wisconsin and Kentucky showing strong interest. If the program expands nationally, it could significantly reduce course fees families pay. Education experts are closely watching whether other public university systems will follow Maine's lead. ## Career Readiness Integration The system builds a new bridge between high school and college career preparation. Students will enter university not just with academic knowledge but with workplace-ready soft skills. This creates time and resource efficiency, especially for working students. With 75% of employers valuing these skills, the program is expected to enhance employability. ## Cost Reduction Strategy Innovative solutions like this gain importance amid higher education's cost crisis. The Maine model allows students to focus on acquiring new skills rather than repeating content. Education economists note that 8 credits represent approximately $2,300 in savings, with potential for millions in collective savings if the model expands. ## Paradigm Shift in Education This practice represents a significant transformation in traditional education paradigms. Colleges evaluating life skills alongside academic knowledge indicates a more holistic approach to education. The skill-based education trends accelerated post-pandemic gain institutional validation through Maine's initiative. Experts predict this will contribute to democratizing higher education. ## Sources covering this story - https://thecollegeinvestor.com/87602/university-of-maine-will-give-college-credit-for-skills-learned/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._