How To Become a Psychologist in Maine 2025

There is increasing demand for psychological services across the U.S. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that overall employment of psychologists will grow by 7% over the next decade, making the field of psychology one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country.

This article explains how to become a psychologist in Maine, including the steps needed to earn your psychology license, the psychology job outlook in Maine, and accredited psychology programs online. Read on to learn more about how to become a psychologist and start your career in the world of mental health.

What Does a Psychologist Do?

A psychologist studies the human mind and how cognitive and emotional processes affect people's relationships with each other and their environments. A psychologist helps with a range of mental health problems and uses evidence-based treatments, like talk therapy, to help clients improve their lives.

Psychologists work in various settings, like private practices, hospitals, schools, healthcare facilities, and community centers.

5 Steps To Become a Psychologist in Maine

The following steps outline the licensure requirements and educational requirements to become a psychologist in the state of Maine.

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree

You will need to hold a bachelor's degree before enrolling in a graduate school program. Though a psychology major is not strictly necessary, it will help as you transition into your psychology graduate program. You can earn your accelerated psychology degree online at a variety of schools.

Step 2: Earn a Doctorate Degree

To work as a licensed psychologist, you must earn a doctoral degree. Students can earn doctoral degrees that meet this requirement through in-person programs accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Psychology doctoral programs include theory coursework, thesis and dissertation projects, and internships. Typically, it takes between four and eight years to earn a doctorate.

Step 3: Gain Postdoctoral Experience

After graduating with your doctorate, you'll need two years of experience under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. This experience requirement ensures you demonstrate the competency to practice psychology, according to APA and state standards. Your supervisor will also serve as a guide and mentor during your transition from school to professional practice.

Step 4: Pass Exams

You must pass two exams, one national and one for the state of Maine. The first is the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), which is administered by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB). The 225-question exam focuses on eight different areas, including research methods and statistics, biological bases of behavior, assessment and diagnosis, and ethical issues.

You will also have to pass a second test, the Maine Jurisprudence Exam. This exam is administered by the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine (BOLIM) and ensures professional competency for state standards.

Step 5: Submit Your License Application

You'll submit your psychologist license application to the Maine Board of Examiners of Psychologists. You'll need to include your official transcripts and supervised experience documentation and undergo a background check. You can apply for your license online and check its status on the state Board of Examiners website.

What Are the Best Degrees for a Psychologist?

How long it takes to get a psychology degree ultimately depends on your professional goals. Doctoral degrees generally offer the most job possibilities and the highest salaries.

Master's degree programs require less time to complete while still affording many employment opportunities. Bachelor's degrees open the door to many entry-level psychologist jobs and are the most affordable online psychology degrees

You can earn either a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD). With your doctorate and psychology licensure, you may work as a clinical psychologist, researcher, professor, forensic psychologist, and more. Doctorate degree programs typically take between four and eight years to complete.

Master's programs offer degrees such as a Master of Arts (MA) in psychology and a Master of Science (MS) in psychology. With your MA or MS, you can work in mental health counseling, school psychology, behavior analysis, and more. Master's degree programs generally take between two and three years to complete on a full-time basis, making this the fastest way to become a psychologist in continuing education.

Top Psychology Degree Programs

This list highlights the best PsyD programs and graduate degrees in Maine and the surrounding region. All doctoral programs featured here are APA-accredited.

1. University of Maine

In Orono, ME, students at the University of Maine can earn a PhD in clinical psychology. The psychology program emphasizes cognitive-behavior therapy, child clinical, and neuropsychology. The university's location allows doctoral students to serve rural and other traditionally underserved populations.

The graduate program is full-time, and coursework is conducted completely on campus. Doctoral students work closely with faculty members and mentors. The University of Maine offers graduate assistantships and military benefits to help with tuition costs.

• Estimated tuition cost: $573 per credit (in-state); $1,747 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: APA

2. University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a midsized public school in Portland, ME, with an extensive online degree platform. Its MS in educational psychology offers a specialization in applied behavior analysis. This master's degree program prepares students to apply behavior analysis to improve social-emotional, academic, and behavioral outcomes in school settings.

Coursework is completely online, and the program can be completed in two years on a full-time basis (or three years on a part-time basis). Eligible graduate students may receive stipends, scholarships, and fellowships.

• Estimated tuition cost: $574 per credit (in-state); $1,534 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and

3. Husson University

Based in Bangor, ME, Husson University is a small private college that offers a variety of graduate degree programs online. Husson University's MS in applied psychology curriculum focuses on applying principles and theory to practical strategies in education, healthcare, and business settings.

The program coursework is 100% online and has flexible start dates. Internships are in-person and offer practical experience; Husson University's advisors coordinate internships for psychology students. Full-time graduate students earn their MS in two years.

• Estimated tuition cost: $548 per credit (in-state); $548 per credit (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: NECHE

Other Psychology Degrees

The following schools are located in nearby New Hampshire. Both offer APA-accredited doctoral programs.

University of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) offers a PhD in psychology program where students can specialize in one of three tracks: social/personality, developmental psychology, or brain, behavior, and cognition. Doctoral students at UNH work closely with faculty and gain significant experience in research and teaching.

UNH offers funding support for its doctoral students via assistantships. Funding includes tuition waivers, health insurance, and an academic year stipend.

• Estimated tuition cost: $14,880 per year (in-state); $29,210 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: APA

Antioch University

Antioch University's New England (AUNE) campus offers two psychology doctoral programs: a PsyD in clinical psychology and a PhD in couples and family therapy. Its PysD program is a five-year, full-time program consisting of four years of coursework followed by a year-long internship. Graduates of the program move on to earn licensure as clinical psychologists.

Financial assistance is available as scholarships, work-study programs, and federal loans. AUNE also provides military benefits to qualified students.

• Estimated tuition cost: $37,450 per year (in-state); $37,450 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: APA

Skills of a Psychologist

The following skills are fundamental to a successful psychology career.

• Empathy: Psychologists acknowledge the emotions of others, understand where the emotions stem from, and recognize their significance in clients' mental health.
• Analysis: Psychologists interpret complex data, client assessments, and research findings.
• Communication: Psychologists must convey complex ideas and concepts clearly to colleagues and clients.
• Critical thinking: Psychologists must be able to objectively process information, recognize patterns, and draw logical conclusions.

Careers and Job Outlook for Psychologists

There is a continual demand for professional psychologists. The BLS projects that 13,000 new psychology jobs will open each year for the next decade.

There are many career opportunities for those with a psychology degree. You can serve as a school psychologist, clinical psychologist, social worker, psychological examiner, behavior analyst, marriage counselor, and more. Your personal goals and education experience will determine your professional specialization.

What Is the Average Salary of a Psychologist in Maine?

Salaries vary according to degree level, region of the country, and professional specialization. According to the Economic Research Institute (ERI), the average salary for a psychologist in Maine is $105,671 per year. This is slightly higher than the national average, as the BLS reports that the annual median salary for psychologists is $94,310.

Explore Psychology Degrees

If you're ready to pursue your degree in psychology, we invite you to reach out to the featured schools on Learn.org to find out which will best support you on your education journey.