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.
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
All 3 programs ranked in this guide, with tuition, format, and accreditation at a glance.
| # | School | In-State Tuition | Format | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Southern Maine | $475/credit ($574/credit with fees) | On-campus | |
| 2 | University of Maine | $573/credit | On-campus | |
| 3 | University of New England | $825/credit (private, flat rate) | On-campus |
University of Southern Maine
In-State
$475/credit ($574/credit with fees)
Out-of-State
$1,435/credit ($1,534/credit with fees)
Length
2 years (61 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 generalist + 500 specialization)
Concentrations
- 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
University of Maine
In-State
$573/credit
Out-of-State
$1,747/credit
Length
2 years (63 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 generalist + 500 specialization)
Concentrations
- 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
University of New England
In-State
$825/credit (private, flat rate)
Out-of-State
$825/credit (private, flat rate)
Length
2 years (60 credits)
Field Hours
900 (400 generalist + 500 specialization)
Concentrations
- 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
Social Work Licensure Requirements in Maine
The licensing board, exam pathway, and supervised hours you'll need to practice independently.
Licensing Board
Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure
207-624-8603
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.
Licensed Master Social Worker
Generalist social work practice, case management, community organizing, program development, supervised clinical work under an LCSW
Hours
N/A
Duration
Associate
Exam: ASWB Masters
Licensed Master Social Worker — Conditional Clinical
Clinical social work practice under required LCSW consultation; may not engage in private practice
Hours
3,200
Duration
2 years (clinical MSW); 4 years (non-clinical MSW)
Exam: ASWB Masters
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Independent clinical practice, psychotherapy, diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions, private practice, insurance billing
Hours
3,200
Duration
2 years (clinical MSW); 4 years (non-clinical MSW)
Exam: 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 socwkr.board@maine.gov for specific guidance.
Social Worker Salary in Maine
BLS state median wages by counseling specialty, with national comparison and top-paying metros.
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.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
National median: $58,570
Top metro: $55,920 (Portland-South Portland)
Healthcare Social Workers
National median: $68,090
Top metro: $69,480 (Portland-South Portland)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National median: $60,060
Top metro: $62,150 (Portland-South Portland)
Maine Social Work Job Market and Workforce
Major employers, mental health shortage context, and loan repayment programs that erase debt for service.
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 & 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
Decision factors that actually matter, not generic checklist filler.
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
Sources
- CSWE Accredited Programs Directory — Maine
- Maine State Board of Social Worker Licensure
- Bureau of Labor Statistics — Social Workers in Maine (May 2024)
- ASWB — Licensing Exams
- HRSA — Mental Health HPSA Data
- FAME Maine — Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program
- Maine Title 32 §7053 — Social Worker Qualifications