Maine Psychology Doctorate Programs

The U.S. is in the midst of a shortage of trained professionals who can help their fellow citizens deal with emotional and behavioral problems. As access to healthcare rises and stigma surrounding mental health declines, this shortage will likely grow even more serious.

These issues were big factors in the development of the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degree in the late 1960s. As a doctoral degree more focused on the clinical practice of psychology and less on producing academic research, it’s a popular option for people who want to go on to become licensed psychologists.

Maine students have a few opportunities for degree programs that will set them on the path to a career in psychology. Let’s take a look at the degrees and licensure requirements in the state of Maine.

What’s On This Page

• Maine PsyD Programs
• Other Maine Doctorate Programs
• Maine Psychologist Requirements
• Maine Doctorate Salary Outlook

List of PsyD Programs in Maine

No colleges or universities offer on-campus Psy.D. degrees in the state of Maine, but there are several online programs that can provide the educational experience needed to become licensed in Maine, though it’s important to note that these programs have not been accredited by the American Psychological Association, which means graduates will need to provide additional documentation when they apply for licensure (more on these requirements later).

Online students also should note that in every state, Maine included, applicants for licensure must complete thousands of hours of supervised professional experience, so online Psy.D. programs generally include these internships or practicums and may not be entirely online.

Alliant International University

Offered through the California School of Education (CSOE), Alliant International University is home to a fully online Psy.D. in Educational Psychology that’s split into two possible tracks, school psychology or school counseling. The program is relatively new, so the university has yet to publish career or licensure outcomes for graduates.

• Institution type: Private, for-profit
• Campus: Online, headquarters are in San Diego
• Total expected tuition: $64,835
• Degrees offered: PsyD in Educational Psychology
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges
• Visit school: Click here

Capella University

Capella’s online Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology is designed to be flexible, and the program includes both online and in-person work outside of the internship or practicum experience. According to a Capella survey, 88% of doctoral graduates said what they learned in the program was immediately applicable in their careers.

• Institution type: Private, for-profit
• Campus: Online, headquartered in Minnesota
• Total expected tuition: $78,300
• Degrees offered: PsyD in Clinical Psychology
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission
• Visit school: Click here

Other Psychology Doctorates in Maine

Prospective psychologists in Maine can choose to pursue a more traditional doctorate, and one such degree is offered in the state.

University of Maine

The University of Maine has offered an APA-accredited Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology since 1975, and today’s students can choose to take a generalist approach to their education or they can opt for a focus on clinical child or neuropsychology. Only about three or four students are admitted in a typical year, and graduates have earned professional licensure at about an 80% rate since 2009.

• Institution type: Public
• Campus: Orono
• Annual tuition: Most students receive full tuition remission and annual stipends
• Degrees offered: PhD in Clinical Psychology
• Accreditation: APA
• Visit school: Click here

How to Become a Practicing Clinical Psychologist in Maine

Maine requires all those who practice professionally as psychologists to obtain a state license verifying their education and experience in the area. Let’s take a look at what the state requires, including education, professional experience and other areas.

1. Get your bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related field. Maine’s psychologist licenses requirements don’t reference the need for an undergraduate degree in psychology, but majoring in psychology in college often is a requirement for admission into advanced programs, including Psy.D. or Ph.D. programs. For those who didn’t major in psychology, remedial courses may be assigned, or students may choose to complete a master’s degree either as part of a doctoral program or before applying. Closely related fields can include social work or statistics, depending on the doctoral program.
2. Get a Psy.D. or Ph.D. The state of Maine requires all psychologist license applicants to hold a doctoral degree in psychology. Those who complete programs that aren’t accredited by the APA may still apply, but they will have to meet additional obligations to verify the rigors of their doctoral program. The state also requires applicants to complete at least 1,500 hours (one full year) of predoctoral supervised experience. At least 50% of the experience must be in service-related activities, which can include assessment, treatment and consultation, and at least 25% of the time must include face-to-face contact with patients or clients. No more than 25% of the internship should be spent on research.
3. Postdoctoral requirements. After they complete their doctoral training, applicants for licensure in Maine are required to complete at least 1,500 hours of supervised experience with between 25% and 60% of the time spent in direct service. Once experience obligations have been met, applicants are eligible to sit for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (a minimum score of 80% is required) and the state’s jurisprudence exam.
4. Remain licensed, and keep up with requirements. In Maine, psychologist licenses must be renewed annually, and professionals are required to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, including at least 20 hours in the individual’s current area of practice or expected future areas of practice.

Maine Clinical Psychologist Salary and Job Outlook

The average worker in Maine earns an annual wage of about $48,000, but clinical, counseling and school psychologists are paid considerably more, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, the average salary for these professionals in Maine is about $81,000.

Psychologist jobs are expected to grow at a solid rate of about 5.3% in Maine over the next decade, which is slightly higher than the 5% expected for all jobs in the U.S.