Counseling Degrees and Programs in Maine
The New England state of Maine offers prospective counseling students several on-campus and online counseling programs in the following main areas of practice: mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. A degree is generally required to be eligible for a counseling license and begin a counseling career in Maine, therefore, choosing the right school to complete your degree is an important career decision. There are both undergraduate and graduate counseling programs to choose from in Maine, although the state does not offer programs at all levels in all the major counseling areas. For example, if you would like to specialize in marriage and family therapy, you may need to consider programs in nearby states or through online methods. There are online undergraduate and graduate counseling programs offered through Maine schools in mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, school counseling, and substance abuse counseling. This format may appeal to busy students, working professionals, or individuals who do not live near a traditional campus.
Quick Facts
- There are 4 not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities that offer a program in marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Maine.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Maine, 2 offer an associate’s degree, 2 offer a bachelor’s degree, 3 offer a certificate, and 2 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- No schools offer a degree in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 4 schools offer a degree in mental health counseling.1,2
- 3 schools offer a degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in school counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer a degree in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- No counseling schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019.3
- No schools ranked in US News Best Student Counseling Programs 2019.4
- 1 school ranked in US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019.5
- Across 2 schools, 6 counseling programs are accredited by CACREP.2
Comparison of Maine Counseling Schools and Programs
We have provided the table below for you to compare the public and not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities in Maine currently offering counseling programs in the following primary areas: mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MFT), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). The table indicates the schools that offer programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP); CACREP-accredited programs are denoted with an asterisk (*). Keep in mind that some schools offer a joint program in clinical mental health counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling, so check with the school for more information on the programs offered. You can also use the table to compare schools by program type offered, graduation rate, and net price per year. To learn more about licensure as a counselor in Maine, have a look at our license requirements page.
| School Name | CACREP- Accred Program2 | MH | MF | VR | SC | SA | Grad Rate1 | Net Price1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husson University | Yes | Yes* | — | — | Yes* | — | 55% | $18,417 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | 18% | $9,899 |
| University of Maine at Machias | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | 29% | $8,877 |
| University of Southern Maine | Yes | Yes* | — | Yes* | Yes* | Yes | 39% | $11,963 |
Top-Ranked Schools with Counseling Programs in Maine
US News Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs 2019
- University of Southern Maine (#55 tie)
Schools in Maine with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
University of Maine at Machias
The University of Maine at Machias offers several undergraduate programs in counseling. The 21-credit Mental Health & Rehabilitation Technician/Community Certificate (MHRT/C) introduces students to the clinical mental health and rehabilitation counseling fields with a specific emphasis on working with older adults. The Associate of Arts (AA) in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Mental Health & Rehabilitation is a two-year, 60-credit program that includes the MHRT/C certificate coursework with additional liberal arts core courses. Both programs meet the state education requirement to become an MHRT/C Technician and provide basic rehabilitation counseling services in Maine. Upon completion of the AA program, students can continue in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology & Community Studies, which requires a total of 120 credits. Optional specializations are available in Applied Psychology or Disabilities in Youth. This interdisciplinary program prepares students to work in entry-level counseling positions or continue studies at the graduate level. Required coursework includes Behavioral & Community Mental Health Systems; Counseling Diverse Populations; and Psychology Professions & Ethics. A community internship is also required in the senior year.
Traditional Graduate Programs
Husson University
At Husson University, a 63-credit, CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is offered. This degree teaches students individual and group counseling techniques; appraisal, screening, and assessment procedures; and counseling research skills that can be used in community mental health settings, hospitals, and private practice. Examples of required courses include Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling; Assessment in Counseling; and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Planning. Upon completion of the program, graduates will meet state educational requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). A 60-credit, CACREP-accredited MS in School Counseling that prepares graduates to become a K-12 school counselor in Maine is also available. During the program, students will complete 100 hours of supervised practicum and 600 hours of supervised internship. The program is designed for working professionals with courses offered in the late afternoons and evenings. Students can complete the program on a full- or part-time basis but all course requirements must be completed in five years. Required courses cover topics such as designing school counseling programs; counseling children and youth; and crisis intervention skills. New students are admitted to the MS programs in the fall term.
Online and Hybrid Programs
University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta is home to undergraduate programs in counseling that are offered online with some on-campus and videoconferencing courses offered at the Augusta and Bangor campuses, as well as through several learning centers across the state. The Associate of Science (AS) in Mental Health & Human Services is a two-year degree that introduces students to the fundamental theories and techniques used in mental health service delivery and counseling. Students must complete 61 credits, including 25 credits of liberal arts core courses and 36 credits in the major area. The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Mental Health & Human Services builds on the AS curriculum and offers students the opportunity to specialize in a specific counseling area with concentrations offered in Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation; Addictions Counseling; Child and Family Services; and Mental Health and Human Services Generalist. Students complete 121 credits including 69 credits in the major, 40 liberal arts requirements, and 12 credits of electives. Graduates of the Adult Mental Health Rehabilitation concentration will meet state educational requirements for the Mental Health Rehabilitation/Community (MHRT/C) credential. A 39-credit Post Baccalaureate of Science in Mental Health & Human Services is available to students who already have a bachelor’s degree, as well as certificates that fulfill state requirements for the MHRT/C and Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Technician credentials.
University of Southern Maine
The University of Southern Maine (USM) offers numerous graduate-level counseling degree programs with online and hybrid coursework options. The CACREP-accredited Master of Science (MS) in Counseling is offered with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health, Rehabilitation, and School Counseling. The MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 63 credits and meets state educational requirements for the Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) credential. At least 25% of the coursework must be completed through face-to-face methods. Students in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program can also complete and expertise certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling, which meet state educational requirements to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), or Family Systems, which focuses on family counseling skills. The MS in Rehabilitation is offered as a 54-credit degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, which meets Maine’s Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) certification requirements and Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) requirements, or a 63-credit degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, which meets LCPC coursework requirements. Up to 90% of the coursework for this concentration can be completed online. For students with a bachelor’s degree who do not wish to complete a master’s program, an MHRT/C post-bachelor’s certificate program is available. The MS in School Counseling requires 60 credits and meets state requirements to become a K-12 school counselor. An accelerated graduation program is available to high-achieving undergraduate students at USM that allows them to complete a bachelor’s degree and an MS degree in a compressed time frame. Applicants who already have a master’s degree in counseling are eligible for the 30-credit Certificate of Advanced Study in Counseling, which focuses on advanced clinical coursework.
References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. Kiplinger’s Best College Values, 2019: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/college-rankings/index.html
4. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs, 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
5. US News & World Report Best Rehabilitation Counseling Programs, 2019: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/rehabilitation-counseling-rankings