Last updated: March 9, 2026

ABA Programs in Maine (2026)

The University of Southern Maine delivers Maine's only ABA graduate program entirely online at $509/credit — with the same e-tuition rate for residents and non-residents alike. Combined with Maine's above-average behavioral health salaries and proximity to the Boston job market, it's a quietly strong option for BCBA preparation.

Taylor Rupe

Founder & Editor

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

ABA Programs in Maine (2026)

Key Takeaways

  • The University of Southern Maine offers a fully online 36-credit M.S. in Educational Psychology with an ABA concentration at $509/credit for all students (~$18,324 total) — same rate regardless of residency.
  • USM's program includes eight ABAI-verified courses meeting all BCBA coursework requirements — with evening online class meetings and flexible course sequencing for working professionals.
  • USM also offers a standalone graduate certificate in ABA for students who already hold a qualifying master's degree and need only the BCBA coursework.
  • Maine's BLS median of $60,970 for behavioral health counselors is slightly above the national average — with Portland-area positions commanding the highest pay in the state.
  • Maine currently has no state licensure for behavior analysts — BCBA certification through the BACB is the primary professional credential.

The University of Southern Maine is the state's sole provider of graduate ABA education — and its fully online format makes it accessible from anywhere. The M.S. in Educational Psychology with an ABA concentration requires 36 graduate credits (twelve courses), with eight courses forming an ABAI-verified course sequence meeting all BCBA coursework requirements. At $509/credit for all students regardless of residency, the total cost is approximately $18,324 — competitive with the most affordable online ABA programs nationally.

USM's program is designed around working professionals. Evening online class meetings, flexible course sequencing, and multiple start dates accommodate students who are already employed in ABA or related settings. Over 150 graduate assistantships are available university-wide with stipend and tuition assistance. The program also offers a standalone graduate certificate in ABA for students who already hold a qualifying master's degree and need only the BCBA coursework — a focused, cost-effective path for career changers.

Maine does not currently require state licensure for behavior analysts. BCBA certification through the BACB serves as the primary professional credential, and insurance carriers require it for ABA service reimbursement. The absence of state licensure means no additional application fees, exams, or renewal bureaucracy — though it also means less title protection compared to states with formal regulation.

USM's Affordable Online M.S. & Graduate Certificate in ABA

School Tuition (In-State) Format Length Accreditation
University of Southern Maine — M.S. in Educational Psychology, ABA Concentration (Online) $509/credit (~$18,324 total, 36 credits, e-tuition rate) Fully online (evening class meetings) 2–3 years ABAI-Verified Course Sequence; BACB-Aligned

University of Southern Maine — M.S. in Educational Psychology, ABA Concentration (Online)

Portland (Online)

Online Available

In-State Tuition

$509/credit (~$18,324 total, 36 credits, e-tuition rate)

Out-of-State

$509/credit (~$18,324 total, same e-tuition rate)

Format

Fully online (evening class meetings)

Full-Time

2–3 years

Field Hours

1,500 supervised experience hours (completed separately through approved sites)

Concentrations

Applied Behavior Analysis — behavioral assessment, intervention design, ethical practice, research methods, BCBA certification preparation

  • Maine's only graduate ABA program — fully online with evening class meetings
  • Flat $509/credit e-tuition for all students regardless of residency — ~$18,324 total
  • Eight ABAI-verified courses meeting all BCBA coursework requirements
  • Educational Psychology department home — strong foundation in learning science and assessment
  • Flexible course sequencing and multiple start dates accommodate working professionals
  • 150+ graduate assistantships available university-wide with stipend and tuition assistance
  • Standalone graduate certificate also available for students with existing master's degrees
  • No GRE required — streamlined admissions process
Visit Program Website → GRE: Not required · Min GPA: 3.0

No State License Required — BCBA Certification Stands Alone

No State Licensure Required

Issued by: No state licensing body — BACB certification is the primary credential

  • Maine does not currently require state licensure to practice as a behavior analyst
  • BCBA certification from the BACB serves as the de facto professional credential
  • Insurance carriers require BCBA certification for ABA service reimbursement
  • No additional state exam, registration, or fees beyond BACB certification
  • Employers universally require BCBA certification regardless of state requirements
  • Maine's Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation does not have a separate behavior analyst licensing board

Renewal

No state renewal required. Maintain BCBA certification through the BACB — 32 CEUs every two years including ethics requirements. Insurance reimbursement is contingent on active BACB certification.

Visit Licensing Board →

Behavioral Health Pay in Portland, Bangor & Rural Maine

BLS Median

$60,970

Entry Level

$37,000–$45,000

Experienced

$58,000–$75,000 (BCBA-certified, Portland-South Portland metro)

Top Earners

$80,000–$100,000+ (clinical directors, private practice, telehealth serving rural areas)

Maine's BLS median of $60,970 for the broader behavioral health counselor category is slightly above the national average of $59,190. The Portland-South Portland metro drives the highest salaries, with BCBA-certified professionals earning $58,000–$75,000. Southern Maine benefits from proximity to the Boston metro market — BCBAs living in southern York County can commute to New Hampshire or Massachusetts positions for higher pay while maintaining Maine's lower cost of living. Central and northern Maine (Bangor, Lewiston-Auburn) have smaller but growing ABA markets. Rural and Downeast Maine face acute behavioral health shortages, creating telehealth opportunities for BCBAs willing to serve remote communities.

ABA Careers from Southern Maine to Downeast

BLS Employment

3,610

Projected Growth

19% nationally through 2034

Top Employers

MaineHealth, Northern Light Health, Spurwink Services, Community Health and Counseling Services, Maine school districts (SAD/RSU systems)

Maine has a surprisingly robust behavioral health workforce relative to its population — one of the higher per-capita concentrations of behavioral health counselors in New England. MaineHealth (including Maine Medical Center in Portland) is the state's largest healthcare system. Northern Light Health serves central, eastern, and northern Maine. Spurwink Services is a major provider of behavioral health and educational services for children and families. Community Health and Counseling Services covers the Bangor region. Maine's school administrative districts (SADs) and regional school units (RSUs) increasingly employ behavior analysts for student support. Rural Maine faces significant behavioral health shortages — telehealth is expanding access, and BCBAs willing to serve these communities find strong demand and limited competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — USM's program includes eight courses forming an ABAI-verified course sequence that meets all BCBA coursework requirements. The M.S. in Educational Psychology satisfies the BACB's master's degree requirement. At $509/credit ($18,324 total), it's also among the more affordable options nationally. The educational psychology framework provides a strong foundation in learning science that complements behavior analysis training.
The graduate certificate is designed for professionals who already hold a qualifying master's degree in psychology, education, counseling, or a related field and need only the BCBA-required ABA coursework. If you don't have a master's degree, you need the full M.S. program. The certificate is faster and cheaper — covering just the ABAI-verified courses — while the full master's provides the degree plus all ABA coursework in one program.
Absolutely. Southern Maine — particularly York County (Kittery, Sanford, Biddeford) — is within commuting distance of the New Hampshire seacoast and greater Boston area. BCBAs living in southern Maine can access New Hampshire positions (no state income tax) or Massachusetts positions (higher salaries but state income tax) while maintaining Maine's relatively lower housing costs. Some practitioners maintain multi-state credentials to maximize job market access.
Rural and northern Maine face significant behavioral health workforce shortages. ABA providers in these areas are actively recruiting, and the limited competition means strong job security. Telehealth-based ABA services are expanding, allowing BCBAs in Portland or Bangor to serve families in Aroostook County, the Downeast region, or western Maine. Some employers offer premium pay, signing bonuses, or relocation assistance for BCBAs willing to work in underserved areas.
Maine has not enacted behavior analyst licensure legislation, though the state's Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation oversees many other licensed professions. In practice, BCBA certification through the BACB is universally required by employers and insurance companies, creating a de facto credentialing standard. The practical impact of no licensure is minimal for BCBAs — the main difference is the absence of state-level title protection.