Best Counseling Schools in Maine

2026 Best Master's in Counseling Programs in Maine

Counseling Psychology.org presents its comprehensive guide to the best Master's in Counseling Programs in Maine, highlighting top-tier educational opportunities for aspiring mental health professionals. With a growing demand for skilled counselors, Maine offers exceptional virtual and distance learning options that cater to students seeking flexible academic paths. These programs provide comprehensive training in therapeutic techniques, preparing graduates to make meaningful contributions to mental health support across diverse communities. Online and traditional programs alike offer robust curricula that blend theoretical knowledge with practical clinical experience, ensuring students receive high-quality education that meets professional standards. Exploring these programs can open doors to rewarding careers in counseling, mental health intervention, and community support. Learn more about our ranking methodology.

#1

University of Southern Maine

Portland, ME - Public 4-Year - usm.maine.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Counseling

Concentration: School Counseling - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Southern Maine's Master of Science in Counseling offers a robust School Counseling concentration tailored for aspiring K-12 educators. This CACREP-accredited 60-credit hybrid program blends online and on-campus learning, emphasizing comprehensive student development. Coursework integrates human development theories, multicultural counseling strategies, and academic/career guidance techniques. Graduates become eligible for Maine K-12 certification and can sit for the National Counselor Examination. The program's flexible format accommodates working professionals, with opportunities for financial aid and scholarships. Admission requires a bachelor's degree and specific prerequisites, positioning students to make meaningful educational interventions.

• 60 credit hours.
• Hybrid program format.
• CACREP accredited.
• Eligible for Maine K-12 certification.
• Prepares for National Counselor Examination.
• Focuses on academic, career development.
• Includes multicultural counseling courses.
• Requires bachelor's degree for admission.
• Financial aid available.
• Scholarships may apply.

Master's - Counseling

Concentration: Clinical Mental Health - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

University of Southern Maine's Clinical Mental Health Counseling concentration provides a comprehensive 63-credit master's pathway for future mental health professionals. This innovative hybrid program equips students with advanced skills in stress management, life transition counseling, and psychological support. Featuring customizable elective credits, students can specialize in areas like Family Systems or Substance Misuse. The curriculum prepares graduates for Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) certification, with a remarkable 99% national exam success rate. Offering flexible full-time and part-time study options, the program includes 700-1000 hours of practical field experience, ensuring graduates are thoroughly prepared for professional practice.

• 63-credit flexible master's program
• Hybrid learning options
• Multiple specialization paths
• LCPC licensure preparation
• Comprehensive field experience
• Full-time or part-time study
• Online and in-person courses
• 700-1000 hours field experience
• 99% national exam success rate

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#2

University of Maine at Farmington

Farmington, ME - Public 4-Year - umf.maine.edu

Master's - M.S. in Counseling

Concentration: School Counseling - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of Maine at Farmington's M.S. in School Counseling program offers a comprehensive hybrid educational experience designed to prepare professionals for diverse school counseling roles. Leveraging an innovative 3+2 accelerated pathway, students gain specialized training in mental health rehabilitation and educational support strategies. The program uniquely combines theoretical knowledge with extensive practical field experiences, enabling students to develop advanced counseling skills tailored to educational settings. Mentorship from experienced faculty and interactive counseling seminars provide robust professional development opportunities. With NEBHE Tuition Break availability and two concentration options, students can efficiently progress towards meeting Maine's growing mental health and educational counseling workforce needs. The military-friendly environment further enhances the program's inclusive approach.

• Accelerated 5-year BA/MS pathway
• Mental Health Rehabilitation certification
• Two concentration options
• NEBHE Tuition Break available
• Interactive counseling seminar
• Practical field experience
• Mentorship from faculty
• Graduate school preparation

*Based on: IPEDS 2023, U.S. Department of Education. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

How to Find a Counseling Program in Maine

No one counseling program is right for every student. Find one that works well for you by considering your finances, current vocational responsibilities, familial responsibilities, personal interests, and professional goals. There's bound to be a good counseling program in Maine for you.

Counseling Degree Pathways in Maine

Several universities and colleges in Maine offer accredited counseling degrees. There are several levels of degrees, including multiple options at both the undergraduate and the graduate levels. Select a program that you're qualified for, that also meets your academic and professional needs:

• Associate Degrees: Associate degrees are two-year programs that you can enroll in immediately after high school. They'll qualify you for entry-level work directly with clients.

• Bachelor's Degrees: Bachelor's degrees are four-year programs that you also can enroll in immediately after high school. They'll give you an edge over associate graduates, qualifying you for entry-level and mid-level work. You'll likely work under the supervision of a licensed professional counselor (LPC) still.

• Master's Degrees: Master's degrees are one to two-year programs that you need a bachelor's degree for. A master's degree is required to become an LPC.

• Doctorate Degrees: Doctorate degrees are three to six-year (and sometimes longer) programs that you can enroll in after a bachelor's or master's degree.

• Graduate Certificates: Graduate certificates are six months to one-year non-degree programs, and you can enroll after a bachelor's or master's degree. These are primarily used for specialization, as they don't meet the LPC's master's requirement on their own.

Choose a Counseling Specialty

As a counselor, you can provide broad or specialized services. Should you choose to specialize, you may do so during a bachelor's, master's, or graduate certificate program. There's no shortage of counseling specialties:

• Clinical mental health

• Clinical and vocational rehabilitation

• School counseling

• Addiction counseling

• Marriage, couple, and family counseling

These are just a sample of the specializations that you can choose from.

Check School Accreditation

School accreditation ensures that counseling degrees meet basic academic standards for programs, and also that degrees are recognized by other institutions.

The main accrediting body for counseling degrees in Maine is CACREP (the Council of Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs). Maine requires a CACREP (not an APA degree) for licensure.

The University of Maine and the University of Southern Maine's degrees are accredited. Make sure any other school degree that you consider is also accredited.

Online vs. Traditional Counseling Programs in Maine

Accredited counseling degrees are available through both online and in-classroom programs. An online program will likely be more affordable and more flexible, and you won't have to commute to class during winter. An in-classroom program will likely give you more interaction with peers, and possibly better access to internships and research material.

Choose whether to enroll in an online counseling program or an in-classroom counseling program, carefully thinking about what's more accessible for you.

Becoming a Licensed Counselor in Maine

For licensure, Maine requires a 60-credit graduate degree that's accredited by CACREP. You must additionally complete a 600-hour internship and 2,000 hours of supervised counseling after graduating. The final licensing requirements are an exam and a fee.

Maine counseling licenses must be renewed bi-annual. Renewing requires 55 continuing education hours.

List of Counseling Degree Programs in Maine

Are you searching for a counseling degree program in Maine? Browse our comprehensive list of schools offering counseling programs, both online and on-campus, and follow the links to learn more about what each program has to offer.