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 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 8 not-for-profit colleges and universities that offer a program in mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, school counseling, substance abuse counseling, and/or vocational rehabilitation counseling in Maine.1,2
- Of the counseling schools in Maine, 2 offer an associate degree, 2 offer a bachelor’s degree, 6 offer a certificate, and 4 offer a master’s or advanced degree.1,2
- 6 schools offer degrees in mental health counseling.1,2
- No schools offer degrees in marriage and family therapy.1,2
- 3 schools offer degrees in vocational rehabilitation counseling.1,2
- 2 schools offer degrees in school counseling.1,2
- 4 schools offer degrees in substance abuse counseling.1,2
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Student Counseling Programs 2022.3
- No schools ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Online M.Ed. Programs for Student Counseling 2022.4
- Across 2 schools, 6 counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).2
- No counseling programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE).5
Comparison of Maine Counseling Schools and Programs
We have provided the table below for you to compare the public and not-for-profit colleges and universities in Maine currently offering counseling programs in the following primary areas: mental health counseling (MH), marriage and family therapy (MF), vocational rehabilitation counseling (VR), school counseling (SC), and substance abuse counseling (SA). Use the table to compare each school by program type offered, Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation status, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Maine Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 30% | $10,843 |
| Husson University | Yes | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | 54% | $20,197 |
| University of Maine | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | 57% | $17,146 |
| University of Maine at Augusta | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | Yes | 16% | $10,619 |
| University of Maine at Machias | — | Yes | — | Yes | — | — | N.Av. | N.Av. |
| University of Maine at Presque Isle | — | Yes | — | — | — | — | 35% | $9,190 |
| University of Southern Maine | Yes | Yes | — | Yes | Yes | Yes | 34% | $9,793 |
| Washington County Community College | — | — | — | — | — | Yes | 50% | $6,124 |
Schools in Maine with Counseling Degrees
Traditional Undergraduate Programs
Washington County Community College
Washington County Community College (WCCC) offers a 37-credit Substance Use and Recovery Certificate that prepares students to become Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs) in Maine. The Substance Use and Recovery Certificate program emphasizes the physiological, emotional, and behavioral impacts of substance use and the various treatment interventions that can be utilized to support individuals seeking recovery. Students will learn about the role of a CADC as well as skills such as screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for people with substance use disorders. This program can be completed in one year and includes courses such as Introduction to Psychology; Drugs, Substance Use, and Recovery; and Chemical Dependency Counseling. Students who complete this certificate program also have the option to continue on in the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Human Services degree program.
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. Students will complete a 600-hour practicum and a 900-hour internship in a clinical field placement. Upon completion of the program, graduates will meet state educational requirements to become Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs). A 60-credit, CACREP-accredited MS in School Counseling that prepares graduates to become K-12 school counselors 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 and spring terms.
Online and Hybrid Programs
University of Maine at Augusta
The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) is home to several online undergraduate programs in counseling. 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 concentrations including 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 online Post Baccalaureate of Science (PBS) 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. UMA also offers a Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Disorders to individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree and accumulated at least one year of professional experience. This fully online program consists of 18 credits and qualifies graduates to take the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) exam and apply for the Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) credential.
University of Maine at Machias
The University of Maine at Machias (UMM) offers several undergraduate programs in counseling. The 21-credit Mental Health and Rehabilitation Technician/Community Certificate (MHRT/C) is an online program that 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 and 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 educational requirements 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 and Community Studies, which requires a total of 120 credits. 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. Students have the option to complete a Counseling and Substance Use Rehabilitation Minor, which also qualifies them for full MHRT/C certification.
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 Counselor Education is offered with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Clinical and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, 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 an Area of Expertise in Substance Abuse, which meets state educational requirements to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC), or Family Systems, which focuses on couples and family counseling skills. The MS in Rehabilitation Counseling is offered as a 63-credit Clinical Rehabilitation Track focusing on mental health and a 54-credit Vocational Rehabilitation Track focusing on employment. Graduates of the Clinical Track meet the educational requirements to become Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LADCs) and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs). Graduates of both tracks are qualified for Maine’s Mental Health Rehabilitation Technician/Community (MHRT/C) credential, the Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) credential, and the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. About 90% of the coursework for both tracks can be completed online. 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. Many students who are enrolled in the MS in Rehabilitation Counseling pursue the MHRT/C Certificate of Graduate Study since it is required for work in agencies that are funded by human service organizations. 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, Accredited Programs: https://www.cacrep.org/directory/
3. US News & World Report Best Student Counseling Programs 2022: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/student-counseling-rankings
4. US News & World Report Best Online Master’s in Education Programs Offering Student Counseling and Personnel Services 2022: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/student-counseling-rankings
5. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education, Directory of COAMFTE Accredited Programs: https://coamfte.org/COAMFTE/Directory_of_Accredited_Programs/MFT_Training_Programs.aspx