Last updated: February 25, 2026

Best MSW Programs in Maine (2026)

Every CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program in Maine for 2026, with tuition, LMSW/LCSW licensure requirements, salary data, and field placement details.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

B.A. in Psychology, University of Washington — Seattle

Key Takeaways

  • Maine has 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs — 2 public universities (University of Maine and University of Southern Maine) and 1 private institution (University of New England) — with in-state tuition starting at $475/credit at the University of Southern Maine.
  • The LCSW requires 3,200 supervised hours (minimum 2 years) and 96 hours of clinical consultation after your MSW, plus the ASWB Clinical exam. The LMSW requires the MSW degree and the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree experience.
  • Maine social workers earn below the national median for child, family, and school positions ($51,770 vs. $58,570 nationally), but healthcare social workers earn a competitive $65,150, and mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $58,380 — reflecting the state's growing demand for behavioral health providers.
  • Maine has significant mental health workforce shortages, with much of the state designated as a mental health HPSA by HRSA, particularly in rural northern and eastern counties where access to behavioral health services is severely limited.
  • The Maine Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program administered by the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) offers up to $75,000 over three years for licensed behavioral health providers who commit to practicing in Maine, and the NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers up to $75,000 for clinicians serving in HPSAs.

Maine offers 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs across the state, from the University of Maine in Orono to the University of Southern Maine in Portland and the University of New England in Biddeford. Public university in-state tuition starts at $475/credit at USM, while UMaine charges $573/credit for residents and UNE charges approximately $825/credit as a private institution. Whether you need a traditional on-campus experience, a hybrid format with limited campus visits, or a fully online pathway, Maine's programs provide options for working professionals and full-time students alike.

After graduation, Maine offers multiple social work license levels through the State Board of Social Worker Licensure: the Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), the LMSW-Conditional Clinical (LMSW-CC) for those pursuing clinical licensure, and the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). The LMSW is available upon completing your MSW and passing the ASWB Masters exam — no post-degree supervised experience is required. The LCSW requires 3,200 hours of clinical practice with 96 hours of clinical consultation over a minimum of 2 years (for clinical-concentration MSW graduates), plus the ASWB Clinical exam.

Maine's social work job market is shaped by the state's rural geography, aging population, and significant behavioral health workforce shortages. Major employers include MaineHealth (the state's largest health system), Northern Light Health, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Togus VA Medical Center, community mental health centers, and school districts across the state. The state's mental health HPSA designations, combined with loan repayment programs through FAME and the NHSC, create strong incentives for MSW graduates willing to serve in underserved communities.

CSWE-Accredited MSW Programs in Maine

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Southern Maine $475/credit ($574/credit with fees) On-campus (Portland), low-residency hybrid, or online 2 years (61 credits) CSWE-accredited
University of Maine $573/credit On-campus (Orono) or hybrid online-blended 2 years (63 credits) CSWE-accredited
University of New England $825/credit (private, flat rate) On-campus (Biddeford) or hybrid (online with campus meetings every 3 weeks) 2 years (60 credits) CSWE-accredited

University of Southern Maine

Portland

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$475/credit ($574/credit with fees)

Out-of-State

$1,435/credit ($1,534/credit with fees)

Format

On-campus (Portland), low-residency hybrid, or online

Full-Time

2 years (61 credits)

Advanced Standing

1 year (33 credits)

Field Hours

900 (400 generalist + 500 specialization)

Concentrations

Advanced Social Work Practice (generalist with elective customization)

  • Most affordable MSW in Maine at $475/credit for in-state students, with a total 2-year cost of roughly $35,000 before fees
  • Three-year low-residency option combines online coursework with limited campus visits — ideal for working professionals
  • Advanced standing for BSW holders completes in just 1 year with 33 credits
  • Located in Portland — Maine's largest city — with access to MaineHealth, Mercy Hospital, and community agency placements
  • NEBHE Tuition Break available for students from other New England states at $808/credit
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of Maine

Orono

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$573/credit

Out-of-State

$1,747/credit

Format

On-campus (Orono) or hybrid online-blended

Full-Time

2 years (63 credits)

Advanced Standing

1 year (46 credits)

Field Hours

900 (400 generalist + 500 specialization)

Concentrations

Advanced Generalist Practice

  • Maine's flagship public university offering an Advanced Generalist MSW preparing students for rural and diverse practice settings
  • Hybrid online-blended format requires only 2 Saturday campus visits per semester in Orono — available to all students regardless of residency
  • Strong focus on rural social work practice, reflecting Maine's predominantly rural geography and workforce needs
  • NEBHE tuition break at $1,003/credit for students from other New England states
  • Advanced standing option for BSW holders covers 46 credits in approximately 1 year
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

University of New England

Biddeford

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$825/credit (private, flat rate)

Out-of-State

$825/credit (private, flat rate)

Format

On-campus (Biddeford) or hybrid (online with campus meetings every 3 weeks)

Full-Time

2 years (60 credits)

Advanced Standing

1 year (30 credits)

Field Hours

900 (400 generalist + 500 specialization)

Concentrations

Integrated Clinical Practice

  • Only private CSWE-accredited MSW program in Maine with a dedicated Integrated Clinical Practice specialization
  • Focus areas include Trauma-Informed Practice, School Social Work, Medical Social Work, LGBTQIA+ Social Work, and Substance Use
  • Hybrid option combines online learning with campus meetings every 3 weeks for maximum flexibility
  • Advanced standing for BSW holders requires only 30 credits — the fewest of any Maine MSW program
  • Scenic coastal Biddeford campus with access to southern Maine clinical placement sites including MaineHealth and community agencies
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

Social Work Licensure Requirements in Maine

Maine issues three levels of master's-level social work licensure through the State Board of Social Worker Licensure, housed within the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation. The LMSW is the entry-level master's license, the LMSW-CC (Conditional Clinical) is the supervised clinical license for those working toward the LCSW, and the LCSW is the fully independent clinical license required for private practice and diagnosing mental health conditions.

The LMSW requires no post-degree supervised experience — you can apply immediately after completing your MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and passing the ASWB Masters exam. For the LCSW, you must complete 3,200 hours of supervised clinical social work experience over a minimum of 2 years, with 96 hours of clinical consultation (at a rate of 4 hours per month) by an LCSW, plus pass the ASWB Clinical exam. Graduates with a non-clinical MSW concentration require 6,400 hours with 192 hours of consultation over a minimum of 4 years. During the supervised period, clinicians hold the LMSW-CC (Conditional Clinical) license. Both the LMSW and LCSW renew biennially with 40 hours of continuing education per 2-year cycle.

License Full Name Supervised Hours Exam
LMSW Licensed Master Social Worker N/A (associate level) ASWB Masters
LMSW-CC Licensed Master Social Worker — Conditional Clinical 3,200 hrs (2 years (clinical MSW); 4 years (non-clinical MSW) min) ASWB Masters
LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker 3,200 hrs (2 years (clinical MSW); 4 years (non-clinical MSW) min) ASWB Clinical

Maine allows licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers. If you hold a current, active social work license in another state and have passed the appropriate ASWB exam (Masters for LMSW, Clinical for LCSW), you can apply for Maine licensure by submitting verification of your current license, official transcripts, proof of exam passage, and documentation of supervised experience for clinical-level licenses. The application fee is $116. Maine has also enacted legislation (LD 149, P.L. 2021, c. 167) to facilitate licensure for credentialed individuals from other jurisdictions. Additionally, Maine has joined the Social Work Licensure Compact, which will allow social workers licensed in compact member states to practice across state lines once the compact becomes active. Contact the Board at [email protected] for specific guidance.

Licensing Board

Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure

Phone: 207-624-8603

Board Website → Verify a License →

Social Worker Salary in Maine

Maine's social worker salaries generally fall below national medians for child, family, and school positions, though healthcare and mental health social workers earn closer to national averages. Maine's lower cost of living — particularly outside the Portland metro area — partially offsets the salary gap, and the state's significant workforce shortages in behavioral health are driving upward pressure on wages. Within the Portland-South Portland metro area, social workers earn the highest salaries in the state. All salary data below is from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.

Occupation State Median National Median Premium Top Metro
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $51,770 $58,570 -11.6% $55,920 (Portland-South Portland)
Healthcare Social Workers $65,150 $68,090 -4.3% $69,480 (Portland-South Portland)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $58,380 $60,060 -2.8% $62,150 (Portland-South Portland)

Maine Social Work Job Market and Workforce

Maine faces significant behavioral health workforce shortages, with large portions of the state designated as mental health Health Professional Shortage Areas by HRSA. Rural northern and eastern counties — including Aroostook, Washington, Piscataquis, and Somerset — have the most acute shortages, with some communities having no licensed behavioral health providers within 50 miles. Even the Portland metro area has growing demand that outpaces supply, driven by the opioid crisis, an aging population, and expanding insurance coverage for behavioral health services.

Major employers for social workers include MaineHealth (the state's largest health system, including Maine Medical Center), Northern Light Health (including Eastern Maine Medical Center), the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and its Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), the Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, Spurwink Services, Sweetser, Community Health and Counseling Services, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the state, and public school districts. Maine's integration of behavioral health into primary care and its expansion of school-based mental health services are creating new roles for MSW-level social workers in both clinical and community settings.

Loan Repayment and Scholarship Programs

  • Maine Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program (FAME) — Up to $25,000 per year and up to $75,000 total (or 50% of outstanding loan balance, whichever is less) over 3 years for licensed behavioral health providers, including LCSWs, who commit to living and working in Maine. Administered by the Finance Authority of Maine.
  • National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program — Up to $75,000 in federal loan repayment for LCSWs serving at NHSC-approved sites in Health Professional Shortage Areas for an initial 2-year commitment, with extensions available.
  • NHSC Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Workforce Loan Repayment — Up to $75,000 for LCSWs providing substance use disorder treatment at NHSC-approved sites in Maine, with an initial 3-year service commitment.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) — Social workers at MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, DHHS, the Togus VA, FQHCs, school districts, and other qualifying nonprofit or government employers are eligible for federal PSLF after 10 years of qualifying payments under an income-driven repayment plan.

How to Choose an MSW Program in Maine

Maine's 3 MSW programs offer different formats, price points, and practice focuses. Your choice will depend on residency status, whether you need to study online, your clinical interests, and how much you can invest in tuition.

  • If you want the best value as a Maine resident: The University of Southern Maine ($475/credit) is the most affordable MSW in the state, with on-campus, hybrid, and online options. UMaine ($573/credit) is also cost-effective for in-state students.
  • If you need a fully online or hybrid program: All 3 programs offer online or hybrid pathways. USM's 3-year low-residency hybrid is designed for working professionals. UMaine's hybrid online-blended requires only 2 Saturday campus visits per semester. UNE's hybrid meets on campus every 3 weeks.
  • If you want a clinical specialization: The University of New England is the only Maine program with a dedicated Integrated Clinical Practice concentration, offering focus areas in trauma, substance use, school social work, medical social work, and LGBTQIA+ social work.
  • If you want advanced generalist preparation: The University of Maine's Advanced Generalist MSW is specifically designed for rural and diverse practice settings — an especially relevant focus given Maine's predominantly rural geography.
  • If you have a BSW and want to finish fast: UNE's advanced standing requires only 30 credits (the fewest in Maine). USM requires 33 credits, and UMaine requires 46 credits. All can be completed in approximately 1 year.
  • If you're from another New England state: USM ($808/credit) and UMaine ($1,003/credit) offer NEBHE Tuition Break rates for residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont — significantly cheaper than standard out-of-state rates.
  • If you want access to the most placement sites: USM in Portland provides the widest array of clinical placements, including MaineHealth, community mental health centers, schools, and state agencies. UNE in Biddeford also offers strong southern Maine placement networks.

Related Pages

Best Online MSW Programs

National ranking of the top online MSW programs

Best Online BSW Programs

Undergraduate social work programs

Best Online DSW Programs

Doctoral programs for experienced social workers

Clinical Social Worker Career Guide

What LCSWs actually do day-to-day

Clinical Social Worker Salary

Salary data by state and experience level

MSW Programs by State

Compare MSW programs across all 50 states

Frequently Asked Questions

Maine has 3 CSWE-accredited MSW programs: the University of Southern Maine (Portland), the University of Maine (Orono), and the University of New England (Biddeford). Two are public universities (USM and UMaine) with in-state tuition ranging from $475–$573/credit, and one is a private institution (UNE at $825/credit). All 3 prepare graduates for LMSW and LCSW licensure in Maine.
To become a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in Maine, you need an MSW from a CSWE-accredited program and a passing score on the ASWB Masters exam. No post-degree supervised experience is required. For the Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), you need the MSW plus 3,200 hours of supervised clinical social work experience over a minimum of 2 years (or 6,400 hours over 4 years if your MSW had a non-clinical concentration), with 96 hours of clinical consultation by an LCSW (or 192 hours for non-clinical concentrations), and a passing score on the ASWB Clinical exam. During the supervision period, you hold the LMSW-CC (Conditional Clinical) license. Both licenses are issued by the Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure and renew biennially with 40 hours of continuing education.
The University of Southern Maine is the most affordable MSW in Maine at $475 per credit hour ($574 with fees) for in-state students, with a total 2-year cost of roughly $35,000 for the 61-credit program. For out-of-state students, USM charges $1,435/credit, though students from other New England states may qualify for the NEBHE Tuition Break at $808/credit. The University of Maine charges $573/credit in-state ($1,003 NEBHE, $1,747 out-of-state) for its 63-credit program. UNE charges a flat $825/credit regardless of residency for its 60-credit program.
Yes. All 3 Maine MSW programs offer online or hybrid options. The University of Southern Maine has a 3-year low-residency hybrid format and online coursework options. The University of Maine offers a hybrid online-blended format requiring only 2 Saturday campus visits per semester in Orono. The University of New England offers a hybrid format combining online instruction with campus meetings every 3 weeks. USM also offers a fully online pathway ($526/credit plus fees, flat rate for all students). All programs still require in-person field placement hours (900 hours) at an approved site near you.
BLS May 2024 data shows: child, family, and school social workers in Maine earn a median of $51,770 (national: $58,570), healthcare social workers earn a median of $65,150 (national: $68,090), and mental health and substance abuse social workers earn a median of $58,380 (national: $60,060). In the Portland-South Portland metro area, salaries are higher across all specialties. Maine's lower cost of living — especially outside Portland — partially offsets the salary gap, and LCSWs in private practice or specialized healthcare settings can earn well above these medians.
Yes. The Maine Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program administered by FAME offers up to $75,000 over 3 years for licensed behavioral health providers (including LCSWs) who commit to living and working in Maine. Federal programs like the NHSC Loan Repayment Program (up to $75,000 for a 2-year commitment at an HPSA site) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness also apply to Maine social workers at qualifying employers such as MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, DHHS, and the Togus VA.
The LMSW-CC (Licensed Master Social Worker — Conditional Clinical) is a transitional license for MSW graduates who are working toward their LCSW in Maine. It allows you to practice clinical social work under the consultation of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker while accumulating the required 3,200 supervised hours and 96 consultation hours. LMSW-CC holders must receive 4 hours of clinical consultation per month (no more than 25% in a group setting) from an LCSW. The LMSW-CC may not engage in private practice. Once you complete all requirements, you can apply for the full LCSW license.
Maine allows licensure by endorsement for out-of-state social workers. If you hold a current social work license in another state, have passed the appropriate ASWB exam, and meet Maine's education and experience requirements, you can apply for Maine licensure by submitting license verification, official transcripts, and documentation of supervised experience (for clinical-level licenses). The application fee is $116. Maine has also joined the Social Work Licensure Compact, which will allow social workers licensed in compact member states to practice across state lines once the compact becomes fully operational.