Maine might be somewhat physically isolated in the northeastern part of the U.S., but it isn’t isolated in terms of higher education. With colleges and universities throughout the state, you have your pick of programs to complete your college degree.
What’s more, with online learning, you can earn your master’s degree in psychology from an out-of-state institution without leaving Maine. And if it’s an out-of-state licensure program, you’ll be able to complete your required field experience near where you live. So, whether you attend an online school in Maine or another state, you’ll be all set to acquire the skills you need for a future career from the comfort of your hometown.
This guide explores some of the popular popular psychology master’s programs available to you as a resident of Maine. Each program is unique; explore the discussions of each one below to see which is the best fit for your future goals.
Online Master’s in Psychology in Maine
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online psychology master’s degrees in Maine:
- University of Southern Maine
- Capella University
- Fisher College
- Franklin University
- University of Massachusetts at Boston
- Northwestern University
- Grand Canyon University
- National University
- Walden University
- Southern New Hampshire University
University of Southern Maine
Online Master of Science in Educational Psychology
The University of Southern Maine’s Master of Science in Educational Psychology focuses specifically on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). This program’s curriculum aligns with the guidelines of the Association of Behavior Analysis International (ABAI). As such, your studies prepare you to become a Board Certified Behavior Analysis (BCBA) in Maine.
The program requires 36 credits to graduate. Typically, full-time students need two years to complete the course sequence. However, you can choose to enroll part-time and finish this program in three years. In either case, you’ll be able to take advantage of multiple start dates throughout the year, online class meetings that take place at night to accommodate typical work schedules and flexible sequences of courses to work around your life obligations.
Another advantage of this program is that its faculty are all highly experienced in this field. In fact, each faculty member has the BCBA designation. This ensures that you get the education you need to become an expert in behavior analysis.
As noted earlier, you need 36 credits to graduate. The 12-course sequence of required classes starts with Research Methods and Techniques. This course introduces you to educational research and the essential principles, concepts, and techniques required to undertake scientific inquiry. One of the essential components of this class is that you’ll learn how to be a good consumer of research while learning how to produce high-quality educational research as well.
From there, you’ll take Behavioral Principles of Learning. The core content of this class focuses on past research and applied studies of the psychology of learning. You’ll explore this information to gain an understanding of how people of all ages and abilities acquire new information. For example, you’ll learn about different types of conditioned behavior, rule-governed behavior, and different types of motivations that compel people to behave the way they do.
Another interesting required class is Functional Behavioral Assessment. This class dives deep into the many different variables that can lead to behavioral problems. Likewise, you’ll explore different behavioral interventions, including the principles that guide their design. Some of the assessment types you’ll study include the following:
- Descriptive assessments
- Interviews
- Observations
- Functional analyses
This class also gives you opportunities to apply what you’ve learned. For example, you’ll practice designing behavioral assessments and carry them out in a mock setting. You’ll interpret the findings of your functional assessments, too.
This program includes a detailed study of Behaviorism as well. The behaviorism course focuses on the work of B.F. Skinner and his followers. You’ll examine their early studies and experiments, learn the differences between behaviorism and other key psychological and philosophical approaches, and gauge the influence of behaviorism on applied behavioral analysis today.
Additional required courses explore many other psychological topics, including the following:
- Single Case Research Methods
- Professional Ethics in Behavioral Analysis
- Behavior Analytic Methods for Skill Assessment and Intervention
- Professional Practice in Applied Behavior Analysis
- Psychopathology
The university requires you to meet the following criteria to be considered for admission to this graduate program:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.5 cumulative undergraduate GPA or a 3.0 cumulative graduate GPA or higher.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide a resume or curriculum vitae.
- Provide one letter of recommendation from a reference who can speak to your ability to be a successful graduate student and professional in behavior analysis.
- Complete an essay in which you discuss why you want to get training in applied behavior analysis.
You must also provide proof of English proficiency if it is not your native language.
Capella University
Online Master of Science in Psychology
At Capella University, you can complete a Master of Science in Psychology that prepares you for any number of non-clinical psychology positions. With your training, you might seek employment in the education, government, or management sectors. You might also find positions in public or private school systems with an appropriate certification.
This program is divided into three components: four core courses, five specialization courses, and one integrative project. The four core courses cover foundational material that is necessary for you to develop a strong understanding of the field of psychology.
For example, one of the first classes you’ll take is the Foundations of Theory and Practice for Master’s Psychology Learners. This class is intended to familiarize you with graduate studies in this field using Capella’s online classroom. You’ll learn everything from writing research papers in APA style to the specific requirements of your chosen specialization to ethics and professional standards for psychology workers.
The next core course, Survey of Research Methods, introduces you to the essential tenets of conducting psychological research. You’ll learn about the science of psychology, including the scientific method, ethical components of research, and various research methodologies, including the concepts of reliability and validity in research.
Your core sequence of classes continues with Tests and Measurements. This class gives you insights into psychological testing. You’ll learn how tests are constructed, administered, scored, and interpreted. Likewise, you’ll explore the different theories of testing that underlie each type of assessment you discuss. This class examines further topics, such as:
- Test bias
- Testing technology
- Reliability
- Validity
- Professional standards for testing
The final core course is Quantitative Design and Analysis. This class analyzes features of research design such as computation, logic, and interpreting statistics. The course also focuses on helping you develop the necessary decision-making skills to be an effective psychological researcher–one who understands how to design research inquiries and effectively interpret statistical results.
The specialization courses for the general psychology specialization explore additional fundamental topics in this field. For example, you’re required to take the following classes:
- Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology
- Learning Theories in Psychology
- Cognitive/Affective Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Lifespan Development
The final component of this program is the Integrative Project. As part of this class, you’ll demonstrate your understanding of general psychology by completing a five-chapter project. The project must include a proposal for new psychological research. It must also include a chapter in which you demonstrate an ability to write and apply for grants.
The admissions requirements for Capella’s GuidedPath are as follows:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
- Have a 2.3 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide a copy of an official government-issued ID.
If you wish to apply to the FlexPath version of this program, you must have a 3.0 GPA or higher in your undergraduate studies. Likewise, you must provide proof of English proficiency if it is not your native language.
Fisher College
Online Master of Arts in Psychology
The Master of Arts in Psychology from Fisher College focuses specifically on Mental Health. As a result, your studies focus on helping others make positive changes in their lives to be more mentally healthy. You can use this training in many different non-clinical positions in education, advocacy, or government. Likewise, this program could be used as preparation for a doctoral program in psychology or a related field.
At just 30 credits, this is a very short program. In fact, on average, it takes just 18 months to finish. The terms are short, too–12 weeks compared to a more typical 15-week semester.
The curriculum begins with a study of Counseling Theory. This class offers an overview of common theories of counseling, ranging from cognitive-behavioral to family systems to psychoanalytic. Likewise, you’ll discuss issues like diversity and motivation, while also developing a better idea of your personal counseling style.
Psychopathology is another course you’ll take early on in this program. As you’d expect, the focus of this class is on the causes of behavior. The DSM-V is thoroughly examined, and you’ll learn how to use it as an aid for diagnosing people with mental illness. Furthermore, you’ll learn about the limits of the DSM system as well as its strength as a diagnostic tool.
Advanced Human Development takes your studies to a more global level. You’ll look at multiple factors of human behavior and how they affect behavior at different ages. Topics of study include cognitive development, emotional development, and biological development. You’ll examine these topics in the context of childhood, adolescence, and the various stages of adulthood, too.
Another key course in this program is Career Counseling. You’ll begin by learning about the history of this field and the primary theories used to guide others in their career development. Other aspects of this course include an analysis of career assessment tools and multiculturalism in career counseling, as well as the relationship between one’s satisfaction with their career and their mental well-being.
Other broad-level courses you’re required to take include the following:
- Addictions
- Research and Evaluation
- Social and Cultural Foundations
- Health and Wellness Practices for Recovery
- Brain, Behavior, and Psychopharmacology
More specific courses are included in the curriculum, too. For example, you’ll take Crisis Intervention and Disaster Mental Health, which focuses on using psychological principles to address mental health issues in emergency situations. You’ll learn about various models of helping people deal with distress related to shared experiences (e.g., natural disasters) as well as individual experiences (e.g., the murder of a loved one).
As a result of your studies in this program, you’ll gain a wide range of skills pertaining to helping others improve their mental health. This includes, but is not limited to, the following abilities:
- Evaluate society’s impact on mental health issues.
- Analyze psychological research on issues like mental health diagnoses, trauma, and psychopharmacology.
- Design and carry out psychological research.
- Analyze peer-reviewed literature.
- Examine how trauma can affect the mental health of individuals, couples, and families.
You must meet the following requirements to be considered for admission:
- Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Have a 2.7 cumulative undergraduate GPA or higher.
- Submit unofficial transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended. You must provide official transcripts if you’re admitted to the program.
- Provide two letters of recommendation.
- Submit a current resume.
- Submit a personal essay or a statement of purpose.
Franklin University
Online Master of Science in Business Psychology
At Franklin University, you can earn a Master of Science in Business Psychology by completing 36 credits. This program is designed as a fast-track option, typically taking 14 months to finish. This program offers a streamlined enrollment process while providing an in-depth curriculum in business psychology to help you advance your career.
The program focuses on managerial challenges, such as finding methods to motivate employees, improving productivity, and enhancing a company’s recruitment of high-level talent. It also incorporates neuroscience research to identify strategies for increasing workplace performance.
To graduate, you must complete nine required courses, each worth four credits, with no electives. Courses are taken one at a time. The initial coursework introduces foundational concepts, such as in the Introduction to Business Psychology class, which provides an overview of business and psychology and their integration. Topics covered in this course include:
- Mindmapping
- Positive psychology
- Cognitive psychology
- Neurolinguistics
- Neuroethics
Following this, you’ll take Managerial Psychology, which examines how psychological factors influence the behavior of organizational leaders. The course covers a variety of subjects, including biases, strategic decision-making, nature versus nurture, and groupthink.
The Individual and Organizational Intelligence course builds on the previous classes by exploring social psychology, systems theory, and organizational life cycles. You’ll learn how these processes impact both individuals and organizations and will study essential business concepts such as organizational intelligence, emotional intelligence, and organizational DNA.
Behavioral Economics and Neurofinance is a unique course that examines the impact of brain structure on financial decision-making. You’ll explore how certain brain structures may limit or enhance one’s ability to make effective and quick financial decisions.
Additional subjects required for the degree include:
- Psychology of Marketing
- Psychology of Human Resources
- Psychology of Creativity, Innovation, and Change
- Psychology of Organizational Coaching
The final course, Business Psychology Mastery Demonstration, serves as a capstone. This integrative course helps you consolidate your learning into a meaningful framework that can be applied to organizational contexts. It also provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate your knowledge and mastery of the material before graduating.
To earn the degree, you must pass all required courses with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, you need to complete at least 24 of the 36 required credits at Franklin University.
To apply, you must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
- Have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher (applicants with a lower GPA may still be considered).
- Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended.
- Demonstrate English proficiency if it is not your native language.
University of Massachusetts at Boston
Online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Since the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from UMass Boston is fully online, you can complete your degree and field requirements remotely and qualify for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in Massachusetts. Depending on the licensure requirements in Maine, you may also qualify for licensure in your home state, too.
At 60 credits, this program is significantly longer than the others described above. In fact, you’ll need three years of full-time study to complete all the requirements to graduate. However, it’s also the only licensure track on this list, so if working in a clinical capacity is your goal, this is the program for you.
The program is divided into two segments: core coursework and field courses. The coursework component includes 48 credits (16 courses) that give you a broad education in the fundamentals of the helping professions. For example, you’ll take Psychopathology and Diagnosis, which familiarizes you with major theories of behavior and the methods by which you diagnose mental illnesses.
As another example, you’ll take Psychopharmacology for Counselors, which explores drug treatments for various mental health issues. Not only will you learn about the efficacy of certain classes of drugs, but you’ll also learn how drug therapy works hand-in-hand with counseling to generate improved outcomes for your clients.
Since this program focuses on the counseling aspects of working in mental health, you’ll take numerous counseling-focused classes. For example, you’ll take a two-course sequence in Counseling Theory and Practice that analyzes various counseling techniques and common practices you’ll engage in regardless of your primary counseling approach. These activities include the following:
- Diagnosis
- Report writing
- Interviewing
- Note-taking
Furthermore, you’ll take Group Counseling and Group Dynamics to learn about the unique process of counseling groups of people. You’ll gain first-hand experience in a group counseling situation as a member of a counseling group. You’ll gain the skills needed to explore group dynamics, the group process, and data interpretation, to name a few.
Another counseling-centered course is Child and Adolescent Counseling. You’ll learn about the mental and emotional growth of children and explore theories of counseling children as well. This includes a discussion of common multicultural, cognitive, behavioral, and developmental issues that are common to children across cultures.
There are numerous other classes you must take to complete your studies. These include the following:
- Life Span Human Development
- Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling
- Trauma and Crisis Counseling
- Counseling Families and Couples: Theory and Practice
- Substance Abuse in Counseling Practice
As for the fieldwork, you’re required to complete a seven-week practicum and a seven-week internship during two different semesters. In each case, you’ll be placed onsite to work as a counselor-in-training under the supervision of an experienced counselor in your chosen field. You’ll gain valuable experience working directly with clients and completing common counseling tasks, like writing case notes and billing insurance for services rendered.
Alongside your fieldwork, you must also meet for a weekly seminar with faculty and your classmates. You’ll present issues that have arisen during your fieldwork, explore relevant readings in counseling and psychology, and present cases to one another as well.
To apply, ensure you meet the following criteria:
- Have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from every college or university you’ve attended.
- Provide two letters of recommendation, at least one of which is from a former professor or another person who can speak to your academic abilities.
- Submit a statement of purpose in which you outline your educational goals and your reasons for applying to this program. You must also provide details about your professional experience and the type of work you hope to do after completing this program.
- Submit a current resume.
You may also submit a writing sample if you wish, though this is an optional step. Likewise, it’s preferred if you have at least one year of experience in this field or a closely related field.
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